A Message from VNA Health President & CEO Lynda Tanner
December 2020
As we face rising COVID-19 cases in our County and across the nation, I am confident in each of us to do our part to keep each other safe. We are all facing COVID-19 Fatigue, but together we can get through this if we focus on SAFETY FIRST.
WEAR A MASK
- In California, wearing a face mask covering your nose and mouth is a requirement in all public spaces.
MAINTAIN 6-FEET PHYSICAL DISTANCING & NO GATHERINGS
- Stay 6 feet apart from others.
- All gatherings with members of other households are prohibited. Very few exceptions apply.
CLEAN YOUR HANDS OFTEN
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to clean your hands frequently. Do not touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth.
FEEL SICK? STAY HOME & ISOLATE!
- If you feel sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms STAY HOME and notify your physician if your symptoms worsen.
- If you are instructed to QUARANTINE, please follow instructions from our County Public Health Dept.
>>> Quarantine Guidance-English >>> Quarantine Guidance-Spanish - If you are instructed to ISOLATE, please follow instructions from our County Public Health Dept.
>>> Home Isolation Guidance-English >>> Home Isolation Guidance-Spanish
LOOKING AHEAD: THE COVID-19 VACCINE
- On December 10, the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID19 Vaccine, which is now in review by the CDC for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The County anticipates 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive next week with another 6,600 of the Moderna vaccine following its approval. At this time, hospitals and health partners are organizing to make sure that we can receive them safely. SB County is following the State’s guidance for prioritization to distribute the vaccine.
The changing dynamics of COVID-19 continue to challenge all of us daily, but at VNA Health, we have an amazing leadership team who work closely with public health officials to keep our agency well informed and prepared to respond quickly and effectively to sustain the continuum of care for our patients and families.
Remember, SAFETY FIRST. Remain vigilant to fight through the COVID-19 Fatigue.
Onward and Live Well!
Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN
President & CEO
CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY FROM COVID-19
REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER & ICU CAPACITY UPDATE AS OF 12/11/20
Based on ICU data, three regions, San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and Greater Sacramento remain under the Regional Stay at Home Order. Regions must remain under the order for at least three weeks and will be eligible to exit the order and return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy only if ICU capacity projections for the following month are above or equal to 15%. The dates the following regions will be eligible to exit follow:
- San Joaquin: December 28
- Southern California: December 28 (This region includes the counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura and SLO)
- Greater Sacramento: January 1
Under the terms of the order, when ICU capacity drops below 15% in a region, certain sectors must close by 11:59 p.m. the next day. In addition, several sectors in these regions, including restaurants, retail and shopping centers and hotels and lodging, will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing requirements. Critical infrastructure, schools and non-urgent medical and dental care can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures.
Current available ICU capacity by region:
- Bay Area: 16.7%
- Greater Sacramento Region: 14.8%
- Northern California: 26.6%
- San Joaquin Valley: 4.5%
- Southern California: 6.2% (SB County ICU Capacity 31.9%)
>>> Details on sector closings or modifications:
https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#questions-and-answers
>>> Full Regional Stay Home Order:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Regional-Stay-at-Home-Order-.aspx
>>> Supplement to the Order:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/supplement-regional-stay-at-home-order.aspx
>>> SB COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER OFDER NO. 2020-12-16 Effective December 11, 2020 at 5PM
https://countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/phd/PROGRAMS/Disease_Control/Corona/HOO%202020-12-16.pdf
- Creating The New “Central Coast Region”: The Tri-Counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura and SLO have teamed up to plan ahead for reopening AFTER the end of this 3-week Regional Stay-at-Home Order. County officials requested that if the three counties (as a whole) maintain more than 15% intensive care unit (ICU) capacity after the stay at home order that ends on December 28, then the new “Central Coast Region” could revert back to the state’s original color-coded framework for a safe reopening. >>> Feedback for Creation of Central Coast Region: https://publichealthsbc.org/feedback-for-creation-of-central-coast-region/
CA NOTIFY: NEW SMART PHONE TOOL DESIGNED TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID 19
Starting December 10, 2020 a new digital tool called CA Notify, will help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and be available to smartphone users. Upon its launch, Californians can opt in to receive COVID-19 notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. CA Notify is a digital tool that protects privacy and security – it does not collect device location to detect exposure and does not share a user’s identity. The tool was developed in partnership with Google and Apple and piloted with the help of the University California, San Diego and the University of California, San Francisco.
STATE ISSUES LIMITED STAY AT HOME ORDER TO SLOW SPREAD OF COVID-19
Non-essential businesses and personal gatherings are prohibited between 10 PM and 5 AM beginning Saturday, November 21 at 10 PM
SACRAMENTO, NOV 19, 2020 – In light of an unprecedented, rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across California, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced a limited Stay at Home Order requiring generally that non-essential work, movement and gatherings stop between 10 PM and 5 AM in counties in the purple tier. The order will take effect at 10 PM Saturday, November 21 and remain in effect until 5 AM December 21. This is the same as the March Stay at Home Order, but applied only between 10 PM and 5 AM and only in purple tier counties that are seeing the highest rates of positive cases and hospitalizations.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM ANNOUNCES NEW IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO CURB COVID-19 TRANSMISSION
New actions include pulling an emergency brake in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and strengthening face covering mandate Vast majority of counties are in the most restrictive tier starting tomorrow
SACRAMENTO, NOV 16, 2020 – As COVID-19 cases sharply increase across the country and California, Governor Gavin Newsom and state public health officials announced immediate actions today to slow the spread of the virus. The state is pulling an emergency brake in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/) resulting in 94.1 percent of California’s population in the most restrictive tier. This change is effective tomorrow. The state will reassess data continuously and move more counties back if necessary. California is also strengthening its face covering guidance to require individuals to wear a mask whenever outside their home, with limited exceptions.
CALIFORNIA’S NEW FACE COVERING GUIDANCE: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx
BLUEPRINT FOR A SAFER ECONOMY: www.covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
COVID19 TESTING SITES
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SB County Pop Up Testing Sites: Limited number of walk-ins accepted.
State Community Testing Sites: By appointment only. Call (888) 634-1123 or register online at lhi.care/covidtesting
VENTURA COUNTY
Questions: Call 805-654-2640 or go online to venturacountyrecovers.org
GET YOUR FLU SHOT & PROTECT OUR HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE
With COVID19 and the upcoming winter and flu season, getting a flu shot will help protect our healthcare workforce. Santa Barbara County is offering free walk up flu shot clinics. No ID or appointment necessary. Masks are required.
PROTECT YOURSELF & LOVED ONES
We know that COVID-19 spreads person-to-person, through close contact via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects. As with other respiratory illnesses like the cold and flu, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from germs and viruses.
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and fatigue. If you develop symptoms, please call your physician. If you are going to see your doctor, call ahead so that precautions may be taken prior to your arrival.
Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 seeking care at a hospital emergency department, please call ahead if possible, or stop outside the emergency entrance and call the phone number provided at the entrance doors. A staff member will provide a properly fitted mask and assist with protected entry to avoid exposure to others.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH COVID-19
For those who are caregivers of family members who have the flu or COVID-19, it is important to protect yourselves as well. Please review the "COVID-19 Recommendations for Family and Caregivers" guidance from the CDC.
STORES OFFERING DESIGNATED SHOPPING TIME FOR SENIORS & IMMUNOSUPPRESSED
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES
• Santa Barbara County Public Health Department• San Luis Obispo County
• California Department of Public Health
• US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• World Health Organization
BEYOND COVID-19
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Whether it's a public health emergency like COVID19 or natural disasters like wildfires, Californians have embraced a culture of preparedness. Have you packed your Emergency Go-Bag? Food, water, cash and medications are just some of the items to consider. Plan now to be ready for the next disaster.
Be Aware: Sign up for emergency text alerts
Be Prepared: Create a plan and pack a Go-Bag for your Car
