Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu

Dear neighbor, 

This week, California and LA County reopened certain sectors of the economy due to encouraging projections regarding hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity. However, the reopening of some sectors does not mean the risk for community transmission has gone away. Please continue to make careful choices and wash your hands frequently; engage in social distancing; and wear a mask in public. Below is additional information from state and local officials on current COVID-19 restrictions. 

I’m pleased President Biden acted this week to restore and expand access to quality, affordable health care coverage for all Americans. One of his actions on health care was an executive order establishing a special enrollment period for the 36 states served by the federally facilitated marketplace from February 15th through May 15th. Covered California, California’s insurance marketplace, followed in his footsteps. Starting February 1st, uninsured and eligible Californians can sign up to receive coverage through Covered California through May 15th. As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure all Americans have access to health insurance.

Covered California’s current open enrollment period runs through January 31st and consumers must sign up by that deadline to have coverage that starts on February 1st. To learn more about coverage plans and find one that works for you and your family, please go to CoveredCA.com.

VACCINE UPDATE: LA County is actively vaccinating health care workers, staff and residents at long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, and residents ages 65 and older. To book an appointment and learn more about vaccine distribution in LA County, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com or call (833) 540-0473 from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM 7 days a week.

Your weekly reminder: 

1. Californians can now sign up to get notified when it’s their turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To sign up, go to myturn.ca.gov.
   
   
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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

This week, Governor Newsom lifted the Regional Stay at Home Order after the 4-week projected remaining ICU capacity exceeded 15% in all five regions. Counties have now returned to their appropriate tier in the tiered blueprint system, which means restrictions vary by county. For more on the statewide orders in place, please visit covid19.ca.gov.

From LA County

Los Angeles County remains in the purple, most restrictive tier on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. However, LA County has issued a new Health Officer Order to more closely align with the sector openings permitted in the purple tier. For more information on reopenings, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov.

Additional Resources 

1. 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. 
     
     
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. This week, Governor Newsom and California legislative leaders announced an agreement to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through June 30th, 2021. They are also moving forward to equitably administer $2.6 billion in renter aid. These moves aim to protect renters and small landlords from losing their housing as the pandemic continues.
   
   
5. Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Stay Housed LA are holding a special tenant workshop to help tenants learn their rights. Please click here to register.
   
   
   
   
6. Round 2 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program opens on February 2nd and closes on February 8th. For more information on how to apply, please visit careliefgrant.com.
   
   
7. Please beware of vaccine scams. If someone offers to sell you the vaccine before it’s your turn, it’s a scam.
   
   
   
   
8. Later this week, LA Public Health will begin emailing those who have already been vaccinated at a County site confirming the place and date of their second dose appointment. When you receive the email, please confirm the time that works for you via the link. For more information, please click here.
   
   
9. Governor Newsom also announced a series of new improvements to California’s vaccination plan. The state will be bolstering its efforts to vaccinate as many Californians as possible as quickly as possible.  
   
   
10. Staying home can be isolating and cause moments of loneliness. Older Californians and their caregivers can call Friendship Line California at (888) 670-1360 for someone to talk to.
    
    

Thank you for your dedication to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of our community depends on the choices of individuals like you. Please remember to wash your hands frequently; engage in social distancing; and wear a mask in public. Your actions have the potential to save lives. For more 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