(Santa Ana, CA) – Orange County has moved to the Medium COVID-19 Community Level according to the latest Community Level metrics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) announced today. Due to a surge in respiratory viruses and the onset of the flu season, the HCA reminds all residents that it is critical to get the updated COVID-19 booster as well as a seasonal flu shot as soon as possible.
The CDC determines COVID-19 Community Levels based on the number of local COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 hospital admissions, and COVID-19 hospital inpatient occupancy in the prior week. In the past week, the rise of new COVID-19 hospital admissions transitioned Orange County from low to medium COVID-19 community levels. The CDC provides the COVID-19 Community Levels at this stage of the pandemic as a public health tool to inform communities and individuals of when preventive measures are recommended to safeguard those at increased risk and to preserve the health care capacity. To learn more visit: CDC.
“The worsening COVID-19 Community Level indicates a higher risk for more individuals to catch COVID-19 this winter,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “In order to reduce the potential for increased hospitalizations, the community is encouraged to take extra precautions to protect those at higher risks. This includes getting vaccinated and masking up when indoors.”
In addition to COVID-19, both Orange County and the United States are seeing sharp increases in flu cases, well beyond the numbers at this point in previous years. Young children and older adults are both at higher risk of severe outcomes like hospitalization and death from influenza and should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of such outcomes.
The HCA recommends residents take preventative actions to minimize risk of severe illness. Recommended ‘Individual Prevention Behaviors’ and ‘Community-level Public Health Prevention Strategies’ based on LOW and MEDIUM COVID-19 community level per the CDC are as follows.
Patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 should contact their health care provider about readily available therapeutic medications or locate a Test to Treat site.
To get fully vaccinated and boosted to maximize your immunity against COVID-19 and the flu. Visit www.Othena.com or https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule a vaccination.
For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.
(Santa Ana, CA) – In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Health Alert to local health agencies to remind residents and providers that COVID-19 therapeutics are effective and widely available to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and minimize the possibility of Long COVID concerns.
The rise in COVID-19 cases, along with other winter viruses such as influenza and RSV, are affecting vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, and are straining local healthcare systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CDPH recommend everyone six months or older get an annual flu vaccine and stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent boosters available for everyone over five years old.
“When someone tests positive for COVID-19, there are now more safe and effective treatment options available for preventing COVID-19 illness from getting serious, and they are free and widely available,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA’s Chief Medical Officer. “Medications such as the Paxlovid pill can stop the virus from multiplying in your body, help you test negative sooner, and may lower the risk of developing Long COVID symptoms. Additionally, you do not need to have insurance or US citizenship.”
According to recent studies, Long COVID or (Post COVID-19), can affect between 10-30% of adults who have tested positive for COVID-19. Many Long COVID patients report persistent symptoms such as headache, memory impairment, fatigue, muscle pain, and more up to six months after the initial illness. Learn more PASC Dashboard (aapmr.org).
Residents should take these steps if they start feeling sick:
Get tested for COVID-19. Tests are available at local pharmacies or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest
for testing locations.
Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment
if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work.
Call your health care provider or an urgent care center
Individuals who are having challenges with gaining access to care, who are underinsured or uninsured can connect to a free telehealth provider by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling (833) 686-5051.
Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed.
Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or want more information, at (833) 422-4255.
The CDPH Alert also seeks to emphasize that there is an ample supply of COVID-19 therapeutics, but they have been underused – especially among populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color, low-income communities, and residents of long-term care facilities. Studies have shown that:
COVID-19 treatments reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 88% among unvaccinated people and by 45% among vaccinated or previously infected people. i ii
Early evidence suggests COVID-19 treatment may decrease the risk of developing post-COVID symptoms.iii
COVID viral load decreases faster among people treated compared with people not treated, suggesting the potential for decreased transmission and isolation time for test-result-based isolation protocols. i
Prescribing options have been shown to be safe, including in the fragile, elderly population. iv Risks are minimal, especially when weighed against benefits.
All symptomatic patients over the age of 12 years and who weigh 88 pounds or more, with a positive COVID-19 test should be evaluated for treatment with one of the NIH-recommended treatment options. Currently, the primary outpatient treatment options are nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) and remdesivir. See details on who should take COVID-19 Treatments HERE.
A medida que aumentan los casos de COVID-19 en el invierno, la Agencia del Cuidado de la Salud del Condado de Orange recuerda a los residentes que las terapias contra el COVID son efectivas y están ampliamente disponibles
(Santa Ana, CA) – En respuesta al reciente aumento de casos y hospitalizaciones por COVID-19, el Departamento de Salud Pública de California (California Department of Public Health, CDPH) emitió una Alerta de Salud a las agencias de salud locales para recordar a los residentes y proveedores que las terapias contra el COVID-19 son efectivas y están ampliamente disponibles para mitigar la gravedad de los síntomas de COVID-19 y minimizar la posibilidad de preocupaciones prolongadas relacionadas con el COVID.
El aumento de los casos de COVID-19, junto con otros virus de invierno como la gripe y el VSR, está afectando a poblaciones vulnerables, incluidos niños y ancianos, y está sobrecargando los sistemas locales de atención médica. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y el CDPH recomiendan que todas las personas mayores de seis meses se vacunen contra la gripe de manera anual y se mantengan al día con las vacunas contra el COVID-19, incluidos los refuerzos bivalentes disponibles para todos los mayores de cinco años.
“Cuando alguien da positivo en COVID-19, ahora hay opciones de tratamiento más seguras y efectivas disponibles para prevenir que la enfermedad de COVID-19 se agrave, y son gratuitas y están ampliamente disponibles”, dijo la doctora Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Funcionaria de Salud del Condado y Directora Médica de la HCA.
“Los medicamentos como la píldora Paxlovid pueden evitar que el virus se multiplique en su cuerpo, ayudarlo a obtener un resultado negativo más pronto y reducir el riesgo de desarrollar síntomas prolongados del COVID. Además, no necesita tener seguro ni ciudadanía estadounidense”.
Según estudios recientes, los efectos prolongados del COVID o la condición pos COVID-19, puede afectar entre el 10% y el 30% de los adultos que han dado positivo en COVID-19. Muchos pacientes con efectos prolongados del COVID informan síntomas persistentes como dolor de cabeza, deterioro de la memoria, fatiga, dolor muscular, entre otros, hasta seis meses después de la enfermedad inicial. Obtenga más información en el gráfico PASC Dashboard (aapmr.org).
Los residentes deben seguir estos pasos si comienzan a sentirse enfermos:
Hacerse la prueba de COVID-19. Las pruebas están disponibles en la farmacia local, o visite www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest para conocer los lugares donde se hacen pruebas.
Actuar rápido para buscar tratamiento contra el COVID-19 si tiene síntomas: los tratamientos contra el COVID-19 deben realizarse dentro de los 5 a 7 días posteriores a la aparición de los síntomas.
Llame a su proveedor de atención médica o a un centro de atención de urgencia.
Las personas que tienen dificultades para acceder a la atención, que tienen poca cobertura de seguro o no tienen seguro pueden conectarse con un proveedor de telesalud gratuito a través de www.sesamecare.com/covidca o llamando al (833) 686-5051.
Vea el folleto de preguntas y respuestas sobre el tratamiento.
Decirles a las personas con las que interactuó recientemente que pueden haber estado expuestas.
Llamar a la línea directa estatal de COVID-19 si necesita ayuda para encontrar un tratamiento gratuito contra el COVID-19 o si desea obtener más información, al (833) 422-4255.
La Alerta del CDPH también busca enfatizar que existe un amplio suministro de terapias contra el COVID-19, pero han sido infrautilizadas, especialmente entre las poblaciones desproporcionadamente afectadas por el COVID-19, incluidas las comunidades de color, las comunidades de bajos ingresos y los residentes de establecimientos de atención a largo plazo. Los estudios han demostrado que:
Los tratamientos de COVID-19 reducen el riesgo de hospitalización y muerte en un 88% entre las personas no vacunadas y en un 45% entre las personas vacunadas o previamente contagiadas. i ii
La evidencia preliminar sugiere que el tratamiento contra el COVID-19 puede disminuir el riesgo de desarrollar síntomas posteriores al COVID-19.iii
La carga viral del COVID disminuye más rápido entre las personas que recibieron tratamiento en comparación con las personas que no recibieron tratamiento, lo que sugiere la posibilidad de una reducción del tiempo de transmisión y aislamiento para los protocolos de aislamiento basados en los resultados de las pruebas.i
Se ha demostrado que las opciones de prescripción son seguras, incluso en la frágil población anciana.iv Los riesgos son mínimos, en especial, cuando se comparan con los beneficios.
Todos los pacientes sintomáticos mayores de 12 años y que pesen 88 libras o más que tengan una prueba de COVID-19 positiva deben ser evaluados para recibir tratamiento con una de las opciones de tratamiento recomendadas por los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH). En la actualidad, las principales opciones de tratamiento ambulatorio son nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) y remdesivir. Vea los detalles sobre quién debe recibir los tratamientos contra el COVID-19 AQUÍ.
Trong Lúc Các Trường Hợp Lây Nhiễm COVID-19 Mùa Đông Gia Tăng,
Cơ Quan Đặc Trách Y Tế Công Cộng Quận Cam Nhắc Nhở Các Cư Dân
Việc Chữa Trị COVID Hiệu Quả và Có Sẵn Khắp Nơi
(Santa Ana, CA) – Để đối phó với sự gia tăng gần đây của các trường hợp lây nhiễm COVID-19 và phải vào bệnh viện, Bộ Y Tế Tiểu Bang California (CDPH) đã công bố một Cảnh Báo Y Tế đối với tất cả cơ quan y tế địa phương nhắc nhở các cư dân và các nhà cung cấp rằng việc chữa trị COVID-19 có hiệu quả và có sẵn một cách rộng rãi khắp nơi để làm nhẹ đi tính chất trầm trọng của các triệu chứng COVID-19 và giảm thiểu những lưu tâm về khả năng bị COVID dài hạn.
Việc gia tăng các trường hợp lây nhiễm COVID-19, cùng với các loại virus mùa đông khác như cảm cúm và RSV, hiện đang ảnh hưởng đến thành phần dân số có nguy cơ bao gồm các trẻ em và thành phần cao niên và tạo nên tình trạng căng thẳng cho những hệ thống chăm sóc y tế địa phương. Trung Tâm Bài Dịch Liên Bang (CDC) và Bộ Y Tế Tiểu Bang (CDPH) đề nghị mỗi người từ 6 tháng hay lớn hơn phải chích ngừa cảm cúm thường niên và cập nhật việc chích ngừa COVID-19, bao gồm việc chích ngừa mũi tăng cường lưỡng trị (bivalent boosters) có sẵn cho mọi người trên 5 tuổi.
Bác Sĩ Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Ủy Viên Đặc Nhiệm Y Tế Quận Kiêm Y Sĩ Trưởng Cơ Quan Y Tế Công Cộng Quận Cam phát biểu: “Khi một người nào xét nghiệm có dương tính của COVID-19, nên biết hiện nay có những phương thức chữa trị an toàn và hiệu nghiệm hơn để ngăn ngừa sự đau ốm về COVID-19 trở nên trầm trọng, và việc chữa trị này miễn phí và sẵn có khắp nơi. Các loại thuốc như thuốc viên Paxlovid có thể làm ngưng virus gia tăng gấp bội trong cơ thể của quý vị, giúp quý vị xét nghiệm âm tính mau hơn, và có thể làm giảm nguy cơ phát triển những triệu chứng COVID Lâu Dài. Thêm vào đó, quý vị không cần phải có bảo hiểm sức khỏe hay quốc tịch Hoa Kỳ.”
Theo những sự nghiên cứu gần đây, chứng bệnh COVID Lâu Dài hay (Hậu COVID-19) có thể ảnh hưởng từ 10 -30% người lớn những người xét nghiệm có dương tính COVID-19. Nhiều bệnh nhân COVID Lâu Dài đã phúc trình những triệu chứng dai dẵng như nhức đầu, mất trí nhớ, mệt mõi, đau bắp thịt và lâu đến 6 tháng sau khi bị đau ốm. Muốn biết thêm xin vào PASC Dashboard (aapmr.org).
Các cư dân nên bắt đầu những bước nầy nếu họ cảm thấy đau ốm:
Xét Nghiệm COVID-19. Xét nghiệm có sẵn tại các dược phòng địa phương hay vào www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest để tìm các địa điểm xét nghiệm.
Hành Động một cách nhanh chóng để tìm việc chữa trị COVID-19 nếu quý vị thấy có những triệu chứng – Chữa trị COVID-19 phải mất từ 5-7 ngày mới có hiệu quả khi triệu chứng bắt đầu.
Gọi bác sĩ gia đình hay trung tâm điều trị khẩn trương
Những cá nhân gặp khó khăn trong sự tiếp cận với việc chữa trị, những người không đủ bảo hiểm hay không có bảo hiểm có thể kết nối với các bác sĩ chữa trị qua hệ thống trực tuyến bằng cách vào www.sesamecare.com/covidca hay gọi (833) 686-5051.
Cô Lập với những người khác ít nhất hoàn toàn 5 ngày. Sử dụng Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator (Xét nghiệm cá nhân và máy tính toán cô lập) để tự giúp mình xác định bao lâu mình phải tự cô lập.
Cho những người mà quý vị vừa mới tương tác biết là họ có thể bị phô bày với sự lây nhiễm.
Gọi đường giây điện thoại nóng COVID-19 toàn tiểu bang nếu quý vị cần giúp để tìm sự chữa trị COVID-19 miễn phí hay muốn biết thêm chi tiết tại (833) 422-4255.
Cảnh báo của Bộ Y Tế Tiểu Bang CDHP cũng nhấn mạnh rằng hiện đang cung ứng đầy đủ sự chữa trị COVID-19, nhưng sự chữa trị này vẫn còn chưa được hưởng ứng tối đa- đặc biệt là trong những dân số không được cân ứng bị ảnh hưởng bởi COVID-19, bao gồm các cộng đồng da màu, cộng đồng có lợi tức thấp, và các cư dân tại các cơ sở chăm sóc dài hạn. Các bản nghiên cứu cho thấy rằng:
Chữa trị COVID-19 giảm thiểu nguy cơ phải vào bệnh viện và tử vong đến 88% những người không chích ngừa và 45% trong số những người đã chích ngừa và đã bị lây nhiễm trước đó. i ii
Chứng cớ trước đây cho thấy chữa trị COVID-19 có thể giảm thiểu việc phát triển những triệu chứng hậu-COVID-19. iii
Mang vi khuẩn COVID giảm thiểu nhanh trong số những người được chữa trị so với những người không chữa trị, điều này cho thấy khả năng lây nhiễm và thời gian cô lập cho việc kết quả xét nghiệm căn cứ trên thủ tục cô lập giảm. i
Việc kê đơn tùy theo sự chọn lựa đã thấy an toàn, kể cả trong thành phần dân số cao niên, yếu đuối. (iv). Nguy cơ thấp, đặc biệt khi cân nhắc với những lợi ích.
Tất cả những bệnh nhân có triệu chứng trên 12 tuổi và cân nặng 88 cân hay hơn nữa, với xét nghiệm COVID-19 dương tính phải được thẩm định cho việc chữa trị với một trong những phương thức chữa trị NIH đề nghị. Hiện tại, những phương thức chữa trị tiên quyết ngoài bệnh viện là các loại thuốc nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) và remdesivir. Xin xem chi tiết những ai cần phải chữa trị COVID-19 tại ĐÂY.
i Hammond, Jennifer, et al. "Oral nirmatrelvir for high-risk, nonhospitalized adults with Covid-19." New England Journal of Medicine 386.15 (2022): 1397-1408.
ii Ganatra, Sarju, et al. "Oral Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir in Nonhospitalized Vaccinated Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)." Clinical Infectious Diseases (2022).
iii Yan, Xie et al. Nirmatrelvir and the Risk of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19”.” MedRxiv Nov 3, 2022
iv Zhong, Weijie, et al. "The efficacy of paxlovid in elderly patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants: Results of a non-randomized clinical trial." Frontiers in medicine 9 (2022).
Once an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19, early treatment with COVID-19-specific agents is the only existing strategy to markedly decrease risk of serious illness. There is ample supply of COVID-19 therapeutic agents, but they have been underused – especially among populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color, low-income communities, and residents of long-term care facilities. This health alert summarizes relevant resources and guidance and aims to remind providers that all symptomatic patients over the age of 12 years and ≥40 kg with a positive COVID-19 test of any type should be evaluated for treatment with one of the National Institutes for Health recommended treatment options.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) recognizes World AIDS Day 2022 as an opportunity to support the well-being of those with HIV; to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illness; and to promote prevention, care, and treatment services to end the HIV epidemic.
Recognized on December 1st, the 2022 World AIDS Day campaign theme is “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV.” The theme is designed to address inequalities that hold back progress to end AIDS and raise awareness to end stigma and discrimination and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV.
“As of 2021, there were 6,772 persons living with HIV locally,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, HCA County Health Officer and Chief Medical Officer. “While great strides have been made in the treatment and prevention of HIV, this disease remains a public health challenge. We need our community to routinely screen for HIV as part of their routine medical care. Knowing your HIV status is important to prevent new HIV infections.”
Data from UNAIDS on the global HIV response reveals that during the last two years of COVID-19, progress against the HIV pandemic has faltered, and lives are now at risk.
The HCA encourages the local community to take action to stop the spread through the following steps:
Get tested and know your HIV status;
Use condoms for protection from HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs);
Know prevention options if HIV-negative, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may help protect you from getting HIV; and
Learn about new treatment options to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable viral load if HIV-positive.
“Current treatments allow individuals who live with HIV to stay healthy and prevent transmission to others,” said Dr. Margaret Bredehoft, HCA’s Chief of Public Health Services. “Through HCA’s 17th St. Testing and Treatment Clinic, as well as community-based partnerships, residents can readily access confidential HIV testing and treatment.”
If you have never been tested for HIV, ask your doctor for an HIV test. Free, confidential HIV testing is available at the agencies listed below.
Local World AIDS Day Events:
The City of Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee will host a Meet & Greet at 3 p.m. on the Main Beach cobblestones followed by a Candlelight Celebration from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laguna Beach Community Clinic will be providing free HIV testing vouchers at the event.
HIV testing is available year-round at these locations:
To make an appointment or for additional information regarding testing, contact:
Testing is offered Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability. Clinic hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The LGBTQ Center Orange County: For more information or to make an appointment, call (714) 953-5428 or visit https://www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/.Testing is offered:
On November 17, 2022, the CDC released Health Update, Managing Monkeypox in Patients Receiving Therapeutics . While cases rates have declined, new cases continue to be identified, including persons experiencing serious disease. Two cases of laboratory-confirmed tecovirimat resistance have been identified nationally; these were both in individuals with immunocompromising conditions with severe manifestations of MPX who were treated with prolonged (>14days) courses of tecovirimat. The CDC guidance highlights that cidofovir, brincidofovir, and vaccinia immune globulin intravenous (VIGIV) each can be administered concurrently with tecovirimat for certain patients with (or at high risk for) severe monkeypox. Providers should continue to test for MPX as well as HIV and sexually transmitted infection in every sexually active person with suspected MPX.
In the last several weeks, OCHCA has continued see a rise in influenza cases in the county that is early and steep and suggests that our county will experience a severe influenza season.
On November 1, 2022, the County Health Officer announced an emergency declaration related to the severe burden that the surge in RSV hospitalizations are putting on pediatric inpatient bed availability. RSV case rates remained high this week.
The CDC anticipates that a surge in COVID-19 will also occur in the coming months. In the face of a looming “tripledemic”, Orange County providers need to encourage vaccination and other measures to protect patients and preserve healthcare resources.
(Santa Ana, CA) - County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong and CHOC Dr. Jasjit Singh and Dr. Melanie Patterson provided information on the high volume of respiratory infection cases affecting children and seniors in Orange County. You can watch here: https://youtu.be/sLI3kcCjzmQ
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Advisory (HAN) linked here about a number of outbreaks of nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) among children who received pulpotomies in dental clinics where dental treatment water contained high levels of bacteria.
Referenced in the HAN is one such outbreak that occurred in Orange County in 2016, where 71 children had odontogenic NTM infections following pulpotomy procedures. This outbreak was linked to a failure to use disinfectants on the dental unit waterlines or regularly monitor water quality.
(Santa Ana, CA) – The County Health Officer today issued a Declaration of Health Emergency in Orange County due to rapidly spreading virus infections causing record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits. Additionally, a Proclamation of Local Emergency has been declared, which allows the County to access State and Federal resources to address the situation and seek mutual aid from surrounding counties.
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is monitoring regional hospital capacity and engaging hospital and health care systems that are seeing very high patient volumes in their emergency departments and inpatient pediatric units.
“While there isn’t a vaccine against RSV, we want OC residents to know there are many ways to protect children and at-risk individuals. Following preventive measures, including remaining up to date with other vaccinations such as flu and COVID-19, can help reduce the severity of disease and can help reduce the burden on hospitals this fall and winter” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA's Chief Medical Officer. “Our best shot at protecting ourselves and our children from respiratory illnesses continues to be the same things we practiced throughout the pandemic including the use of masks when indoors around others and staying home when you are sick.”
Seek medical attention immediately if your child is showing warning signs, which may include having trouble breathing, showing signs of dehydration (i.e., no urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears), has a persistent or high fever, or looks or acts very sick. Call your primary care provider, pediatrician, urgent care or hospital to help navigate steps to recommended care before your visit.
Preventative actions:
Do not go to school or work when you are symptomatic.
Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Mask when indoors or large group settings.
Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
Get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines to prevent complications from these viral illnesses.
Additionally, parents and caregivers should keep young children with acute respiratory illnesses out of childcare, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19.
(Santa Ana, CA) – Due to record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits for respiratory infections, the County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Medical Directors are strongly encouraging Orange County residents to follow disease preventive measures.
“Orange County is seeing very high numbers respiratory illness, specifically Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) severely impacting capacity in our pediatric hospitals,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. and HCA's Chief Medical Officer. “RSV can severely affect young infants and children and we are encouraging residents to take precautions, especially with groups of children.”
Seek medical attention immediately if your child is showing warning signs, which may include having trouble breathing, showing signs of dehydration (i.e., no urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears), has a persistent or high fever, or looks or acts very sick. Call your primary care provider, pediatrician, urgent care or hospital to help navigate steps to recommended care before your visit.
Preventative actions:
Do not go to school or work when you are symptomatic.
Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Mask when indoors or large group settings.
Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
Get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines to prevent complications from these viral illnesses.
Additionally, parents and caregivers should keep young children with acute respiratory illnesses out of childcare, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections occur primarily during the fall and winter cold and flu season, causing bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age and placing infants, young children, and older adults, with chronic medical conditions, at risk for more severe disease. Annually, RSV leads to approximately 58,000 hospitalizations with 100-500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old and 177,000 hospitalizations with 14,000 deaths among adults, aged 65 years or older.
Providers are encouraged to review California Department of Public Health Alert here and American Academy of Pediatrics guidance options here.
