(Santa Ana, CA) – The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) is proud to announce the launch of the OC Navigator, an online resource navigation tool designed to help community members connect with local mental health, substance use treatment and supportive resources including physical, transportation, education, housing, childcare, and more. Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation component, the OC Navigator project was activated to facilitate access to diverse local resources targeted to their unique individual needs.
 
“Orange County boasts hundreds of public and private agencies and community groups who are dedicated to serving others, but it can be challenging to find and coordinate” said Dr. Clayton Chau, HCA Director. “Visiting OCNavigator.org allows a person, who may already struggle in their circumstances, to focus on what’s most important right now – securing immediate and appropriate services to promote their health and well-being.”
 
The HCA worked with the Chorus Innovations, Inc., a digital platform developer, along with 185 community members, representing 65 Orange County agencies, to curate content for the platform, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, trustworthy, reflective of the community, and includes a focus on whole person care. The digital resources displayed on the OC Navigator website were carefully designed and organized in a welcoming and easy to understand format, ideal for those who desire a self-guided exploration of local resources.
 
“OC Navigator is a great example of the positive impact of public-private partnerships,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “It benefits not only those in need, but also law enforcement and other first responders who frequently go the extra mile to connect people to appropriate resources post-emergency.”
 
Vice Chairman Donald Wagner, Third District, added, “As we recover from the pandemic, there are many people who need extra support. I’m thankful the County offers additional tools for residents, such as OC Navigator, which can connect people to the right resources as quickly as possible.”
 
“Here at the County, we are transforming the way services and resources are offered to our residents,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “The OC Navigator offers direct resources in multiple languages for anyone seeking healthcare and supportive services, such as housing, food, family safety, childcare, legal help, transportation needs, and so much more. And for individuals unsure on where to start, the online resource tool offers a fast and easy survey that will generate resources based on their responses.”
 
OC Navigator includes contact information for hundreds of local agencies and printable resource guides, in addition to 24/7 live support through OC Links navigators who can discuss a person’s needs and link them to resources including child and adult mental health services, alcohol and drug programs, crisis services, and prevention/early intervention programs.
 
Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District, said, “OC Navigator offers a one-stop service resource center for Orange County residents. Now more than ever, residents need simple yet comprehensive access to resources to meet their ever-evolving needs. OC Navigator is the long-awaited solution to bridging the service gaps between our community and existing county resources.”
 
“OC Navigator was created to enhance access to life-saving resources and is another great example of what can be achieved by leveraging public-private partnerships,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “I am thankful to HCA and the hundreds of community members who worked together to launch this powerful new data tool which will help improve the overall quality of life of all Orange County residents.”
 
OC Navigator resources and support are available in 9 languages including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin, Khmer, and Tagalog. The OC navigator website has acquired approximately 150,000 page views to date.
 
For more information on OC Navigator, visit www.ocnavigator.org or call (855) 625-4657.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – Due to recent increases in COVID-19 case counts, Orange County was moved to "High" community transmission status as of 7/14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level Data Tracker.   

As of July 15^th, the seven-day average COVID-19 case rate in Orange County increased to 33.1 per 100,000 people (>20.0 CDC threshold) and the average number of daily COVID-19 cases is 1,068. The positivity rate increased to 17.4 percent, with hospitalizations at 277, and ICU admissions to 35. The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) reports COVID-19 cases and hospitalization data using the State’s database reflecting laboratory-reported PCR tests. With widespread use of at-home rapid Antigen testing, which go unreported, the true number of COVID-19 cases across the country are being undercounted.

"We are seeing a summer wave in cases and hospitalizations, and this move to the "HIGH" transmission level confirms that." says Dr. Clayton Chau, OC Health Care Agency Director. "To protect those at high risk, we are recommending that OC residents continue masking in public, indoor settings, especially those who are at high risk or living with loved ones who have comorbidities, are immunocompromised or are prone to getting sick."
 
The HCA recommends residents take preventive actions to minimize the risk of severe illness and advise the following:

• Wear a well-fitting mask in indoor, public settings, especially those who are at high risk or live with those with comorbidities or immunocompromised. Refer to the State’s Guidance for the Use of Face Masks for full masking guidance

• Be up to date on vaccinations by completing your primary series, receiving your additional dose if immunocompromised, and receiving your booster dose when eligible, to maximize your immunity against severe infection. Visit www.Othena.com or https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule a vaccine.
• Keep a safe distance from others outside of your household, to avoid close contact with people who may be unvaccinated or asymptomatic.
• If you recently attended a high-risk event, traveled, or came into close contact with someone who has COVID-19, self-monitor for symptoms and get tested. Stay home and follow self-quarantine guidance.
• If you are sick, stay home, follow self-isolation guidance and get tested. 

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are seeking to determine if they would be eligible for therapeutic medications, should contact their health care provider, or locate a Test to Treat site. As of 7/6, state-licensed pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment. Contact your local pharmacy to discuss details.
 
The CDC launched its Data Tracker earlier this year to create standardized COVID-19 data across the country to provide a county level view of key data for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The data measure cases per 100,000 population and hospitalization rates to segment Low, Medium or High Transmission levels. To learn more visit: CDC

For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.

Other Languages:  Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese

In the last week several commercial laboratories (Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest) have announced availability of monkeypox testing. Additional commercial laboratories are anticipated to offer monkeypox testing in coming weeks. Providers should check with the commercial labs they work with about availability and specific specimen collection requirements. OCHCA approval is not required to order testing via commercial labs, although it is still required to request testing through public health. More info...

On June 22, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed its recommendations for influenza vaccines for the 2022-2023 influenza season. The ACIP endorsed a preference for use of higher-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines for those 65 years and older whenever available. Last week the CDC endorsed the ACIP's recommendation. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) has confirmed the first presumptive case of monkeypox infection in Orange County (OC) and is awaiting final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While awaiting CDC confirmation of a probable case, the HCA is proceeding with the assumption it is a monkeypox case and is conducting contact tracing and post-exposure prevention for close contacts.

“The Public Health Services (PHS) CDCD team is working with all relevant agencies and partners to track, control, and curtail the spread of monkeypox within the county,” said Dr. Christopher Zimmerman, CDCD Physician. “The affected individual is already in isolation and exposed contacts are in the process to receive post exposure prophylaxis vaccination.”
 
The outbreak of monkeypox in 50 nations throughout the world has resulted in 4,769 cases as of 06/28/2022. In the United States, there are 306 cases from 28 states.
 
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an enhanced nationwide vaccination strategy to mitigate the spread of monkeypox. The strategy will expedite vaccinations and protect those at-risk of monkeypox, prioritize vaccines for areas with the highest numbers of cases, and provide guidance to state, territorial, tribal, and local health officials to aide their planning and response efforts. See full report.
 
As of this time, vaccination soon after exposure can prevent for monkeypox virus infections, the best guidance is to take precautions to prevent monkeypox. Most treatment is supportive, easing the symptoms of illness. However, antivirals developed for use in patients with other viral diseases may prove beneficial in certain cases but are currently available under research protocols. Additionally, some measures including vaccination may be given to prevent the monkeypox infection after a high-risk exposure to the virus.
 
What people should do:

To prevent the spread of monkeypox in Orange County, we ask individuals to be aware of the risks and how monkeypox spreads. It is also important to remember that monkeypox can spread through sexual networks, and until we learn more, the HCA urges you to be vigilant. People who have symptoms of monkeypox, particularly the characteristic rash or lesions, should take the following steps:

• Visit a medical provider for an evaluation
• Cover the area of the rash with clothing
• Wear a mask
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others
• Isolate in a separate room or area from family members and pets

Local clinicians who have any suspected cases are advised to immediately contact the HCA’s Communicable Disease Control Division. For additional information see the attached Health Advisory from the California Department of Public Health.
 
The CDC does not currently recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox. However, vaccination may be recommended for some people who are close personal contacts of people with monkeypox, may have been exposed to the virus, and/or may have increased risk of being exposed to the virus. The HCA has secured some vaccines for individuals who are exposed to the virus through contact with cases. If you are exposed or believe you are at risk, please call or visit your primary care provider.
 
For more information on monkeypox, including case counts, prevention strategies, vaccination and what the HCA is doing in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/monkeypox or https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

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Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has been notified of its first probable monkeypox virus case. Probable cases are those who test positive for orthopoxvirus DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Probable cases will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for monkeypox virus confirmation. Probable cases are managed as monkeypox virus cases while awaiting laboratory confirmation. More info...

In our health alert on June 20, 2022, an error was identified in the stated minimum interval when using Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months through 5 years of age who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The minimum interval between the second and third (additional) dose should be at least 4 weeks. 

Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated information and guidance on managing monkeypox virus infection through its California Health Alert Network (CAHAN). The Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHCA) wants to make sure providers are aware of the potential for monkeypox virus infection in patients who meet epidemiologic criteria and/or a clinically consistent rash. As of this time no cases of Monkeypox virus infection have been identified in Orange County. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people between 13 and 64 years of age get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS at least once as part of routine health care. For those at high risk of HIV, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and persons who inject drugs, the CDC recommends testing at least once per year as part of routine health care. June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), which promotes testing and early diagnosis of HIV. This year’s NHTD theme is HIV Testing is Self-care. HIV testing is an act of self-care, and knowledge of status is the gateway to engaging in prevention or treatment services that enable individuals, regardless of their status, to live a long and healthy life.

At the end of 2021, there were 6,772 people living with HIV in Orange County. The CDC estimates that an additional 950 Orange County residents have HIV and don’t know it – some of whom will develop AIDS before knowing they have HIV. Over 20% (54) of the 274 Orange County residents newly diagnosed with AIDS in 2021, learned they had HIV at the same time, indicating they were living with HIV for many years before getting ill. Many of these people had been to a health care setting like an emergency room, a community health center, or their doctor, but were not tested for HIV. A simple HIV test and treatment can prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.

If you have never been tested for HIV, ask your health care provider for an HIV test. For those who test negative and are at high risk for HIV, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication to prevent HIV is available. In addition to health care providers throughout Orange County, the following agencies offer free confidential HIV testing and free or low-cost PrEP services:

• APAIT Health Center: Testing is offered Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (714) 636-1349 or visit www.apaitonline.org/ for more information. Testing hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and walk-ins are encouraged on Monday, June 27 in celebration of NHTD. In addition, APAIT will be participating in The Greater Than AIDS campaign (www.greaterthan.org) offering free HIV testing in partnership with Walgreens located at 12001 Euclid St., Garden Grove, CA 92840 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on NHTD.
• OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing & Treatment Clinic: Walk-ins accepted based on availability. Clinic hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information.
• Radiant Health Centers: Walk-Ins accepted. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (949) 809-8764 or visit www.radianthealthcenters.org/ for more information.
• The LGBT Center Orange County: Testing is offered Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment or for more information call (714) 953-5428 or visit www.lgbtcenteroc.org/. A special gift will be offered to those who test on Friday, June 24 in celebration of NHTD.

For more testing sites and information about HIV services in Orange County, please call (714) 834-8335 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites   

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(Santa Ana, CA) – In response to Sunday’s approval from the Western States Safety Review Workgroup and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is finalizing preparations to offer the Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech vaccines for young children ages 6 months and older.
 
“Starting this week, limited shipments of COVID-19 vaccines for young children will begin shipping to providers who have ordered the vaccine through the CDPH, including the HCA,” says Dr. Clayton Chau, HCA Director. “The HCA’s Public Health Services Division will partner with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) to make the vaccines for young children available at select locations as soon as shipments arrive, and sites are operationalized.”
 
Some vaccine locations which are currently in receipt of the initial vaccine shipments and offering appointments, can be found by visiting www.vaccines.gov and searching locations by ZIP Code. Parents and legal guardians seeking a vaccine for their eligible child(ren) can also check with their primary care providers and/or pharmacy for expedited availability. Vaccination appointments for the HCA/CHOC sites will be made available on www.Othena.com over the next week as plans are finalized

According to the Food and Drug Administration, clinical trials involving thousands of infants and toddlers 6 months and older firmly show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and provide protection against infection. Children get a smaller dose of COVID-19 vaccine than teens and adults that is the right amount for their age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.

 COVID-19 primary series vaccination for children and teens (CDC), as of 6/19/22.

Child's Age	Pfizer-BioNTech	Moderna
6 months-4 years old	3 dose primary series	2 dose primary series
5 years old	2 dose primary series	2 dose primary series
6-17 years old	2 dose primary series	Not authorized

For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.
 
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