New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Public Safety

Orange County announces their COVID-19 public health mitigation strategy

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

To minimize adverse health consequences and resource impact from COVID-19, and consistent with guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Orange County Health Care Agency has shifted the approach in public health away from containment and toward mitigation, a more effective strategy to address the virus county-wide.

The mitigation strategy shifts the focus from labor-intensive contact tracing, the process of identifying every person a known COVID-19 case has potentially exposed, to protecting the most vulnerable populations, persons over age 65 and those with chronic health conditions, by minimizing their exposure to the virus. Community transmission of COVID-19 has been identified in California since late February, and since early March, most of the confirmed cases in the state were not related to travel outside of the United States.

The Health Care Agency’s daily COVID-19 status updates will reflect this change as follows:

– The HCA COVID-19 web page will be updated daily by 2:00 pm

– Effective March 21, 2020, confirmed cases will no longer be identified as ‘travel-related’, ‘person to person spread’, or ‘community transmission’, as most cases as we move forward will be community transmission

– HCA will continue to report age and gender information for all confirmed cases

To help prevent community transmission and limit your exposure you can:

– Stay home except for essential needs

– Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue

– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

– If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer

For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

Orange County is wondering how to save the homeless from COVID-19

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, homeless, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The County of Orange is exploring all precautionary and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the homeless population.

The County has identified short-term strategies that provide alternative placement for sheltered individuals who are elderly and/or those who have severe underlying health conditions. This includes about 80 recuperative care beds available for sheltered individuals considered high risk due to age or underlying health conditions. Additionally, the County is deploying medical tents, cots, blankets, privacy dividers and handwashing stations to shelters, and seeks to make resources available as soon as possible. The County will be issuing guidance to shelter providers countywide, which provides clarity and direction regarding recently issued State and Federal guidance.

The County is working with the State of California to vet State-identified resources, as well as evaluating motels and hotels that have expressed interest in assisting during this public health crisis.

At this time the Fullerton and Santa Ana Armories are scheduled to be operational through April 15; however, the County is in constant communication with the State regarding use of the Armories.

Individuals experiencing homelessness and/or homeless service providers are encouraged to call either OC Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 or the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085 if they have any questions regarding COVID-19.

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For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

What O.C. residents should know about the State Public Health Officer COVID-19 order

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Public Health Officer issued an order telling all California residents to stay home unless they work in one of the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors (https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19).

The order, available at https://covid19.ca.gov, aims to protect the health of all Californians by establishing consistency across the state to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Orange County residents can still go to the grocery store to buy food, the pharmacy to pick up their medications, get gas and continue banking.

Businesses that remain open are encouraged to support their employees in working from home as much as possible. Employers and employees who need financial assistance during this time, should visit the Employment Development Department’s COVID-19 website (https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm).

Residents are encouraged to practice good health hygiene, including washing their hands, staying home if they are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their sleeves (not hands). Practice social distancing whenever possible by keeping a distance of six feet between yourself and others.

Does this supersede the County of Orange Public Health Order?

Yes. Our order includes that any State of California Orders that are more restrictive supersede the County Public Health Order.

How long will we stay home?

This order went into effect Thursday, March 19, 2020 and will remain in place until further notice.

Which businesses can stay open?

Businesses and employees will have to review the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors (https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19) to determine if they will still operate and at what level.

What can I do? What’s open?

Per the order, essential services will remain open such as:

Gas stations
Pharmacies
Food: grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
Banks
Laundromats/laundry services

Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

What’s closed?

In-restaurant dining (eating inside a restaurant)
Bars and nightclubs
Entertainment venues
Gyms and fitness studios
Public events and gatherings
Convention Centers

This is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors (https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19).

Can I go outside?

You can go outside for walks and recreation but won’t be able to do so in groups. We recommend avoiding play structures and playgrounds as they are high-touch areas.

Can I visit my family?

You can continue to interact with family.

Why should I comply?

This is a lawful order from the State of California that requires your compliance. This order protects the health of all California residents. By staying home you are protecting your loved ones and your neighbors. Your community needs your help to “flatten the curve,” which reduces the risk of exposure for everyone. This is best accomplished by adhering to the guidelines defined above. We are requesting your voluntary compliance.

Where does this apply?

This is in effect throughout the State of California.

Who do I call?

For business questions, this is a directive from the State. Please refer to the guidelines on the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors (https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19).

For more information on the State order, visit https://covid19.ca.gov.

For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

The City of Santa Ana halts evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Housing, Public Safety, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, CA – The City of Santa Ana has enacted a moratorium on all residential and commercial foreclosures and evictions for non-payment of rent for anyone who is unable to pay due to financial impacts related to COVID-19.

The Santa Ana City Council unanimously authorized the action on Tuesday, March 17, in a proclamation of local emergency. City Manager Kristine Ridge signed the executive order on Thursday, March 19, and it immediately went into effect.

The moratorium will remain in place as allowed under an executive order of the Governor of California through May 31, 2020, or longer if extended by the Governor.

The City of Santa Ana’s order includes the following:

• Residential landlords who know a tenant can’t pay rent for reasons related to COVID-19 aren’t allowed to serve a notice of eviction or take other actions to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent.
• Commercial landlords are prohibited from charging rent and evicting commercial tenants for nonpayment of rent if the businesses are limited or closed to prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• To show that the landlord knew of the tenant’s situation, the tenant must provide the landlord with notice in writing of lost income and inability to pay full rent due to financial impacts from COVID-19, along with documentation to support the claim. This must be provided within 30 days after the date that the rent is due.
• The tenant is still responsible for the unpaid rent and must pay within six months of the expiration of the local emergency, under the executive order. A landlord can’t charge or collect a late fee for rent in these circumstances.
• Foreclosures on residential and commercial properties are temporarily suspended. No foreclosure action shall be initiated during the local emergency against a property owner with a demonstrated financial impact related to COVID-19.
• Water and sewer service can’t be shut off because of unpaid bills and late-payment penalties or fees can’t be charged.
• No late-payment penalties will be charged for parking violations.

The local emergency resolution that allowed this eviction and foreclosure moratorium also closed City Hall and all other municipal buildings to the public, suspended street sweeping parking citations, waived late fees for all City-provided services, suspended the shut-off of City-provided utilities, and enacted other measures to protect the public.

For the full executive order with all rules on evictions and foreclosures, go to www.santa-ana.org/coronavirus.

Ciudad de Santa Ana Detiene Desalojos, Ejecuciones Hipotecarias Durante Pandemia

SANTA ANA, CA – La Ciudad de Santa Ana ha promulgado una moratoria en toda ejecución hipotecaria y desalojo residencial y comercial por impago de alquiler para cualquier persona que no pueda pagar debido a repercusiones financieras relacionadas con COVID-19.

El Concejo Municipal de Santa Ana autorizó la medida de manera unánime el martes 17 de marzo, en una proclamación de emergencia local. La Gerente Municipal Kristine Ridge firmó la orden ejecutiva el jueves 19 de marzo, la cual entró en vigor de inmediato.

La moratoria permanecerá en vigor, de acuerdo con una orden ejecutiva del Gobernador de California, hasta el 31 de mayo del 2020, o más si el Gobernador la extiende.

La orden de la Ciudad de Santa Ana incluye lo siguiente:

• Los propietarios residenciales que saben que un inquilino no puede pagar renta por razones relacionadas con COVID-19 no tienen permitido presentar un aviso de desalojo o tomar otras medidas para desalojar a un inquilino por impago de alquiler.
• Los propietarios comerciales tienen prohibido cobrar renta y desalojar a inquilinos comerciales por impago de alquiler, si los negocios están limitados o cerrados para prevenir o reducir la propagación de COVID-19.
• Para demostrar que el propietario conocía la situación del inquilino, el inquilino debe presentar al propietario aviso por escrito de pérdida de ingresos e incapacidad de pagar el alquiler completo debido a repercusiones financieras de COVID-19, junto con documentación para apoyar la aseveración. Esto se debe proporcionar dentro de los 30 días posteriores a la fecha de vencimiento del alquiler.
• El inquilino sigue siendo responsable por el alquiler impago, y debe pagar dentro de seis meses de la expiración de la emergencia local, de acuerdo con la orden ejecutiva. Un arrendador no puede cobrar ni colectar un recargo por alquiler atrasado en estas circunstancias.
• Las ejecuciones hipotecarias en propiedades residenciales y comerciales se suspenden temporalmente. No se iniciará ninguna acción de ejecución hipotecaria durante la emergencia local contra un propietario con un impacto financiero demostrado relacionado con COVID-19.
• No se pueden suspender los servicios de agua y drenaje debido a impago de cuentas, y no se pueden cobrar multas o recargos por pago tardío.
• No se cobrarán multas por pago tardío por infracciones de estacionamiento.

La resolución de emergencia local que permitió esta moratoria en desalojos y ejecuciones hipotecarias también cerró al público las oficinas del Ayuntamiento y otros edificios municipales, suspendió las multas por estacionarse en días de barrido de calles, exentó cargos por demora para todos los servicios proporcionados por la Ciudad, suspendió el cierre de los servicios públicos proporcionados por la Ciudad, y promulgó otras medidas para proteger al público.

Para ver la orden ejecutiva completa con todas las protecciones y requisitos bajo la moratoria, visite www.santa-ana.org/coronavirus.

Governor Newsom has issued a mandatory stay at home order

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Disease, Gavin Newsom, Public Safety Leave a comment

CA is issuing a statewide, mandatory stay at home order, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Twitter page.

Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open.

Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. If you go out, keep at least 6 feet of distance.

Go to http://covid19.ca.gov to learn more.

As of March 18, 2020 at 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, there are 675 positive cases and 16 deaths in California. Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency on March 4th, 2020. See the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for the latest data.

Orange County is now up to 42 cases of COVID-19

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 4 Comments

The Orange County Health Care Agency has released their latest update regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Orange County now has 42 documented cases of COVID-19. We were at 22 cases in their last report – the figure has almost doubled in one day.

The cases include 22 Travel Related victims, 7 Person to Person Spread and 12 Community Acquired. The latter are a major concern as these are people getting sick with no direct connection to another victim. They are getting sick and don’t know how they came into contact with the virus.

The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 457. HCA PHL has kits available to test 990 specimens.

Some key points include:

High-risk populations which include older adults (ages 65 and higher) as well as people who have serious, chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. These individuals should self-isolate at home.
Residents should practice good health hygiene which includes washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not hands).
Minimizing risk through social distancing whenever possible which includes avoiding attendance at large gatherings (250 people or more). Small gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people and provide social distancing of six feet per person.
Maintain vigilance and personal readiness which includes being prepared if there is COVID-19 in your household or a disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food and other essentials in your house.
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, stay home while you are ill. If you need to seek medical care, call your health care provider first so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

The Santa Ana City Council proclaims a COVID-19 Local Emergency

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council unanimously proclaimed a Local Emergency tonight to fight the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and protect public health.

The Local Emergency immediately went into effect and will:

• Close City Hall and other City buildings to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18. Libraries, community centers, recreational centers, the Santa Ana Police Department headquarters and the Santa Ana Zoo were already closed to the public.

• Suspend street sweeping parking citations retroactively from Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month.

• Protect consumers against price gouging. It is unlawful for any person or business to sell consumer food items, goods or services for more than 10% above the price immediately prior to the proclamation.

• Allow development projects to stay on track by authorizing the extension of real estate agreements or contracts without Council approval. Reports on any extensions will be presented at each Council meeting.

• Waive late charges or late fees for any City-provided service.

• Stop utility service shut-offs for City-provided utilities during the Local Emergency.

• Allow State and Federal emergency assistance to be sought for local protective measures.

• Provide eviction relief for residential tenants in conjunction with any State actions.

• Support protections against business owners from foreclosures and creditors by working with State and Federal officials.

• Require consistent communication by City staff with the Council and the public about actions being taken to protect public health and safety.

The proclamation authorizes City Manager Kristine Ridge to enact these steps during the Local Emergency, which will be in place until the Council chooses to end it.

Essential City services, including Police and Fire, will still be provided during the Local Emergency. More details are forthcoming about how the public can access other essential services.

For the latest information about Santa Ana service impacts and other COVID-19 resources, please visit www.santa-ana.org/coronavirus.

The O.C. Public Health Order is not an order to shelter in place

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Today’s order from County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick is NOT an order to shelter in place. It is not a lockdown. It is important for all Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the Governor’s guidance. However, following State guidelines, all bars and other establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close. All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food shall close all onsite dining. Pickup, delivery and drive thru services may remain open. It is important for all Orange County residents to read the order in its entirety.

Unfortunately, the order as written caused wide-spread confusion. In order to provide additional clarity requested by Orange County residents and businesses, the County will be issuing an amended Health Officer’s Order.

Should you have questions, please contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.

Santa Ana City Council to consider proclaiming a local COVID-19 emergency

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana officials are aware that many members of the public have questions about street sweeping tickets, utility bills, library fines and other issues that are being affected by new public health policies during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Tonight, March 17, the Santa Ana City Council will meet at 5:45 p.m. to consider adopting a resolution proclaiming a local emergency to address COVID-19.

The resolution would grant City Manager Kristine Ridge the executive authority to make decisions over the extension of agreements and contracts set to expire during the 60-day emergency; closing City Hall or other public buildings; collecting and waiving late charges and fees for City services; the shut-off and extension of City-provided utilities; and the issuance or enforcement of parking violations and possible waivers.

The resolution also would set price controls on food and other consumer items and would allow the creation of eviction relief for residential tenants if not implemented by the state.

If the Council approves the resolution, City Manager Ridge will announce as soon as possible any additional measures being implemented as allowed under the resolution.

The City is strongly encouraging the public to watch the meeting on television or online instead of attending in person due to the health concerns. The meetings are broadcast live on Spectrum TV Channel 3 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 and livestreamed at www.santa-ana.org/cc/city-meetings. The agenda also is available there. Members of the public who wish to comment on matters before the council, instead of doing so in person, may submit comments by emailing ecomment@santa-ana.org. The comments will be provided to the City Council as part of the meeting record and will be uploaded to the City’s website.

For the latest information about Santa Ana closures, cancelations and service impacts and other COVID-19 resources, please visit www.santa-ana.org/coronavirus.

The O.C. Health Officer issues an Order to slow the spread of COVID-19

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued a Health Officer’s Order today to protect the health and wellbeing of Orange County, CA residents.

“We are taking these mitigation steps in line with a directive issued by Governor Newsom to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Nichole Quick, County Health Officer. “We recognize community members may experience anxiety related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, and want to encourage residents to reach out to loved ones using appropriate methods like telephone, video messaging, email and text.”

As this is a rapidly evolving situation, this Order may be revised and/or extended at any time.

This Order prohibits social gatherings, calls for all bars to close, and restaurants to close onsite dining but make food available through delivery and pick-up options.

This order is consistent with what other counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Alameda are doing.

For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (H.CA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

Here is an excerpt from the Orange County Order, read the full Order here:

ORDER OF THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 101040, 120175, and 120175.5 (b), the Orange County Health Officer ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:
Effective immediately and continuing until 11 :59 p.m. on March 31, 2020, the following will be in effect in Orange County:

All public and private gatherings of any number of people, including at places of work, occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. However, nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
a. This prohibition applies to all professional, social, and community gatherings, regardless of their sponsor, that are not engaged in Essential Activities, as defined below. Gatherings that involve Essential Activities should only be conducted when they cannot not be postponed or achieved without gathering, meaning that some other means of communication cannot be used to perform
the Essential Activity. For gatherings involving Essential Activities,
maintaining a six-foot separation of Social Distancing between persons, except family members, is recommended to the greatest extent possible.
b. “Essential Activities” include:
All services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the
government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public.
Healthcare operations ( e.g. hospitals) and essential infrastructure;
m. First responders, emergency management personnel, emergency
dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel.
1v. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other
establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods,
fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry,
and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and
personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and
also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to
maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of
residences;
v. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;

Click here to read the rest of this Order.

Governor Newsom takes action to protect renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Disease, Gavin Newsom, Housing, Public Safety Leave a comment

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.

The Executive Order comes as Californians are experiencing substantial loss of hours or wages, or layoffs related to COVID-19, affecting their ability to keep up with their rents, mortgages, and utility bills.

“People shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Newsom. “Over the next few weeks, everyone will have to make sacrifices – but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them. I strongly encourage cities and counties take up this authority to protect Californians.”

The order does not relieve a tenant from the obligation to pay rent, or restrict the landlord’s ability to recover rent that is due. The protections are in effect through May 31, 2020, unless extended. The order also requests banks and other financial institutions to halt foreclosures and related evictions during this time period.

The Governor’s Executive Order asks the California Public Utilities Commission to monitor measures undertaken by public and private utility providers to implement customer service protections for critical utilities, including electric, gas, water, internet, landline telephone, and cell phone service on a weekly basis.

The full Executive Order can be found here.

There are now 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

As of 3/16 there are now 22 known cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, according to the O.C. Health Care Agency.

13 of these cases are Travel Related. Four are the result of Person to Person Spread. Four additional cases were Community Acquired. One case remains under investigation.

So far 14 of the victims are male and 8 are female. Eleven of them are in the 18 to 49 age group. Seven of them are in the 50-64 age group and four are older than 65. Interestingly there are no identified subjects under 18.

The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 300. HCA PHL has kits are currently available to test 1,075 subjects.

Some key points include:

High-risk populations which include older adults (ages 65 and higher) as well as people who have serious, chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. These individuals should self-isolate at home.
Residents should practice good health hygiene which includes washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not hands).
Minimizing risk through social distancing whenever possible which includes avoiding attendance at large gatherings (250 people or more). Small gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people and provide social distancing of six feet per person.
Maintain vigilance and personal readiness which includes being prepared if there is COVID-19 in your household or a disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food and other essentials in your house.
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, stay home while you are ill. If you need to seek medical care, call your health care provider first so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

Background:

There is an outbreak of respiratory illness that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in 2019 caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (or COVID-19).

On February 26, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency and County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick declared a local health emergency as part of broader preparedness efforts related to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

These actions will help ensure that the County of Orange’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak, should one occur, will remain flexible and can evolve as this rapidly changing situation does.

The HCA is working with federal, state, and local partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and health care providers on preparedness efforts and to guide appropriate care for people who may be at risk for illness associated with COVID-19 or who have tested positive.

Health & Emergency officials confirm 335 COVID-19 cases in California

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Disease, Gavin Newsom, Health and Medical, Public Safety 1 Comment

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health today announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California now has 335 confirmed cases.

Today the Governor and state officials provided an update on California’s response to COVID-19. View the update on Office of the Governor of California Twitter feed.

For more information on the return of individuals from the Grand Princess cruise ship, see this update from ASPR and CalOES.

California continues to issue guidance on preparing and protecting California from COVID-19. Consolidated guidance is available on California Department of Public Health’s Guidance page.

For more information on COVID-19 and California’s response visit the California Department of Public Health’s website.

COVID-19 in California by the Numbers (as of 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on March 14, 2020):

6 – Deaths (including one non-California resident)

335 – Positive cases

Ages of all confirmed positive cases:

Age 0-17: 6 cases
Age 18-64: 210 cases
Age 65+: 116 cases
Unknown: 3 cases

24 – Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights

311 – Cases not related to repatriation flights

70 – Travel-related
68 – Person to person
82 – Community transmission
91 – Under investigation

11,700+ – Number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX
49 – Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring
21 – Labs with test kits, 19 of which are already testing

How Can People Protect Themselves
Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:

Washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
Following guidance from public health officials.

All Community Guidance released from CDPH:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:

Community Care Facilities, Including Assisted Living Facilities and Child Care
People at Risk for Serious Illness
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater
Employers, Health Care Workers and Workers in General Industry
Entertainment Venues
First Responders, Including Paramedics and EMTs
Food Industry
Event and Gathering Guidance
Homeless Assistance Providers
Individuals with Access or Functional Needs
Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans
Health Care Facilities from Cal/OSHA
Health Care Facilities, Including Long-Term Care Facilities
Health Care Plans
Coverage Options
Home Cleaning with COVID-19 Positive Individuals
Laboratories
Schools and institutions of higher education
Long-Term Care and Adult and Senior Care Facilities

What to Do if You Think You’re Sick:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

California’s Response to COVID-19:
We have been actively and extensively planning with our local public health and health care delivery systems. Here are some of the things we are already doing:

As in any public health event, the California Department of Public Health’s Medical and Health Coordination Center has been activated and is coordinating public health response efforts across the state.
California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local partners, hospitals and physicians.
Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19.
Governor Gavin Newsom requested the Legislature make up to $20 million available for state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19.
California activated the State Operations Center to its highest level to coordinate response efforts across the state.
24 million more Californians are now eligible for free medically necessary COVID-19 testing.
California made available some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95 filtering face piece masks for use in certain health care settings to ease shortages of personal protective equipment.
The Public Health Department is providing information, guidance documents, and technical support to local health departments, health care facilities, providers, schools, universities, colleges, and childcare facilities across California.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals who are unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19 to file a Disability Insurance claim.
EDD is also encouraging employers who are experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy to apply for an Unemployment Insurance work sharing program.
California worked in partnership with the federal government to aid in the safe return of 962 Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship. This mission centered around protecting the health of the passengers, and ensuring that when the passengers disembarked, the public health of the United States, the State of California, and partner communities was protected.
The Public Health Department is coordinating with federal authorities and local health departments that have implemented screening, monitoring and, in some cases quarantine of returning travelers.
In coordination with the CDC, state and local health departments, we are actively responding to cases of COVID-19.
The Public Health Department is supporting hospitals and local public health laboratories in the collection of specimens and testing for COVID-19.

The California Department of Public Health’s state laboratory in Richmond and 20 other public health department laboratories now have tests for the virus that causes COVID-19. Nineteen of them are currently conducting tests, with the others coming online soon.

This week’s Cochino List includes Hacienda Arzate and KD’s Donuts

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana 2 Comments

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1FtA0qgop8V-aE2I0rqaLnp3_WerYQLCR&ll=33.71625667413062%2C-117.84999085273438&z=10

The O.C. Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of March 5 to March 13. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

Hacienda Arzate, 1502 E. First St., Santa Ana, Closed: March 6, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: March 6
KD’s Donuts, 1700 E. 17th St., Suite D, Santa Ana, Closed: March 5, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: March 5
Update: Mariscos Hector Nightclub at 1701 E. McFadden Ave., Suite K, Santa Ana, which was ordered closed March 5 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen March 6.
Watson’s Soda Fountain Cafe, 116 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, Closed: March 11, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 12
Mary’s Kitchen, 517 W. Struck Ave., Orange, Closed: March 11, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 13
Rasoi, 678 El Camino Real, Tustin, Closed: March 10, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 12
Paradise Market, 3111 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, Closed: March 11, Reason: Rodent infestation
Kitchen at St. John The Baptist Church, 1015 Baker St., Costa Mesa, Closed: March 9, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 10
Mario’s, 15964 Springdale St., Huntington Beach, Closed: March 9, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 10
Kiros Catering, 17961 Sky Park Circle, Suite F, Irvine, Closed: March 9, Reason: Fire, or other disaster damage, Reopened: March 9
Primi Donuts, 32880 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 33, Dana Point, Closed: March 6, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: March 7
Imperial Burgers, 241 E. Imperial Highway, La Habra, Closed: March 5, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 6

The SAPD is searching for two suspects in the case of a missing 12-year-old girl

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department is currently attempting to locate an at risk 12 year old female identified Penelope Zaranda she was last seen on March 6, 2020 at the Ross store located at 3900 S. Bristol Street in Santa Ana. She was seen leaving the store voluntarily with an unknown Hispanic female wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

Zaranda was in the care of the foster mother when she was last seen. She may have gone to North Hollywood where her grandmother lives.

Zaranda used an unknown Hispanic male’s cell phone while inside the store before fleeing.

The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking any information regarding Zaranda’s whereabouts and the identities of the female in the red sweatshirt and the unknown male. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zaranda please contact Detective E. Nunez at (714) 245-8357 or ENunez@santa-ana.org

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Missing Person: Penelope K. Zaranda (12)

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’00”, 100 lbs., medium build, straight long hair, brown eyes, medium complexion.

Last Seen Wearing: Black T-Shirt “Thug Life” Tupac on the front, camo sweatpants with white and red stripe on the side and white basketball shoes.

Missing Person Penelope Zaranda was last seen on 03/06/2020 at approximately 2:25 PM, exiting Ross Department Store at 3900 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana. She was seen via security cameras going southbound through the parking lot towards South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Zaranda was in the care of her foster mother when she was last seen. She may have gone to North Hollywood where her grandmother and mother live.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zaranda please contact Detective Moroyoqui at (714) 245-8731 or Investigator Jurado at (714) 245-8353.