Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu
Dear neighbor,
I hope this message finds you safe and well.
As we work to defend our democracy in Washington, the nation continues to grapple with the relentless COVID-19 pandemic. Here in Los Angeles County, we are still seeing heightened transmission. Please remember that you can play a part in the fight against this virus by washing your hands frequently; engaging in social distancing and wearing a mask in public.
Yesterday, President-Elect Biden announced the American Rescue Plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis. By working together to implement the American Rescue Plan, we will get Americans vaccinated, contain the virus, put money in people’s pockets and get our economy moving again for all Americans. With the bold leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Speaker and our partners in the Senate, we can finally execute the national COVID-19 strategy that House Democrats have been calling for and deliver results for workers, small businesses and families across the country.
VACCINE UPDATE: Although Governor Newsom announced this week that seniors 65 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, this is not yet true for Los Angeles County. LA County is still distributing vaccines to those in Phase 1A, which is limited to healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents. It is likely that LA County residents over 65 will be eligible to receive a vaccine by early February. To stay up to date on the latest vaccine developments, please sign up for LA Public Health’s Vaccine Newsletter. Please also check LA Public Health's vaccine webpage to view the status of vaccine allocation in LA County.
Your weekly reminder:
- In the middle of this pandemic, signing up for health care coverage is more important than ever. Covered California open enrollment for health insurance is happening now. Please note the deadline for 2021 coverage ends January 31st. Enroll today at coveredca.com.
- This is a difficult and uncertain period for all of us, when many are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. If you are feeling this way, please know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741. Please also view the CDC’s guidance for coping with stress and anxiety during a pandemic.
- Californians can opt-in to receive Apple or Google notifications if they’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. CA Notify, the new statewide exposure notification system, is completely anonymous and will never track your location. To help protect your community against COVID-19, please go to canotify.ca.gov and add your phone today.
- If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org.
- Please remember to get your flu shot to stay healthy this season. It is likely that both COVID-19 and the flu will be present at the same time in LA County this year. You can get a flu shot at any local pharmacy. For quick flu facts and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the flu, click here.
COVID-19 Updates
From the State
Last week, Governor Newsom introduced the new fiscal year 2021-2022 budget, which prioritizes addressing the urgent needs of Californians, such as COVID-19 vaccinations, safely reopening schools, support for small businesses, direct relief for families and more. To learn more about what’s in the budget, please click here.
From LA County
The LA County Department of Public Health’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Outreach Initiative has been extended after the federal government extended CARES Act funding into 2021. The extension will provide partner agencies an estimated $3 million in unspent funds to conduct COVID-19 prevention outreach in communities most impacted by the virus.
LA County continues to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus, with a cumulative death toll of over 13,000. Please continue to heed the guidance of public health officials and follow all directives outlined in the latest Health Officer Order.
Additional Resources
- If you are a healthcare worker with the potential for direct or indirect exposure to COVID-19 patients or infectious materials, you are now eligible to receive a vaccine in LA County. Please click here to make an appointment to be vaccinated.
- All LA County residents who would like to get tested for COVID-19 should first contact their Primary Care Provider to see if they offer tests. If you cannot access a test through your health care provider, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing to sign up for a no-cost COVID-19 test. Testing is recommended for those who:
- Have symptoms related to COVID-19.
- Were asked to get tested by LA Public Health because of a contact tracing investigation.
- Were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
- Work or live in a skilled nursing facility; group home; residential care facility; homeless shelter; or correctional facility.
- Are experiencing homelessness.
- Are an essential worker with frequent contact with the public.
- Don’t have symptoms but believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- If you live in the City of LA and are unable to drive to a testing site, you can receive a free COVID-19 test at a mobile pop-up location (no appointment necessary). Please click here to view current and upcoming pop-up testing sites.
- For updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and LA County, please go to update.covid19.ca.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov.
- LA County Development Authority’s (LACDA) Homeless Incentive Program (HIP) offers monetary compensation to encourage renters to rent their units to LACDA’s homeless Section 8 voucher holders. For more information on the program, please click here.
- Dodger Stadium will be transitioned from a COVID-19 testing site to a COVID-19 vaccine distribution center. The City of LA will continue to provide free testing to residents at permanent and mobile sites around the city.
- Please be on the look-out for scams related to the COVID-19 vaccine. If someone offers to sell you a vaccine before it’s your turn, it’s a scam. For more information, please click here.
- There are currently over 500 open investigations of workplace COVID-19 outbreaks across LA County. For a list of open investigations, please click here. To report a workplace outbreak, please call 888-397-3993.
- Reminder: All travelers arriving in LA County must quarantine for 10 days following the date of arrival, even if you don’t feel sick.
- The LA County Rent Relief Program is currently under development, and applications are not yet available. However, you can sign up to receive notifications when applications open at 211la.org/2021-rent-relief-notification.
- This week, Governor Newsom announced a new Safe Schools For All Hub - schools.covid19.ca.gov – a one-stop shop for state guidance on safely returning to school. The site houses resources for school administrators as well as students and parents related to COVID-19 and schools.
- Save the date! The LA Public Health Department is hosting a Vaccine Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM. Please submit your questions here.
- LA County is looking for licensed clinical professionals to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. To learn more about volunteering, please click here.
Although these are challenging times, our community has come together like never before in the fight against COVID-19. Please remember, by staying home and taking simple actions to mitigate the spread of this virus, you are saving lives. For more information on COVID-19, please visit my coronavirus webpage and follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I look forward to updating you again soon.
Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress
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