(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Mental Health & Recovery Services (MHRS) team is being awarded $10 million dollars to expand its behavioral crisis continuum in Orange County. Funding is awarded from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Crisis Care Mobile Units (CCMU) program. The program provides funding for county and city behavioral health departments to implement new and enhanced CCMUs. The HCA is one of many recipients, with over $140 million already distributed to similar programs statewide.
These additional funds are planned to support and/or expand the mobile behavioral health crisis services across Orange County, including:
Purchasing new vehicles for the field crisis team
Crisis trainings for Peer Specialists
Upgraded technology for crisis teams and vehicles
Additional integrated resources for all county residents
The County’s current crisis system includes the Crisis Assessment Team (CAT), Outreach and Engagement team, and OC Links. Mobile crisis services are available to reach any person in the service area in a home, school, workplace, or any other field-based location.
“We are very excited to draw down these funds to better support the efforts of our crisis response system of care,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, HCA Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services. “These funds will allow us to better leverage current services, allowing more options for assistance with transportation to needed levels of care, technology, and training. This will help to ensure Orange County residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis get the help they need, when they need it.”
The County’s CAT program provides prompt response in the field when an individual is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A behavioral health crisis may include a mental health crises, substance use crises, or co-occurring mental health and substance use crises. County clinicians respond to calls from anyone in the community and are dispatched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Individuals are connected to appropriate care and clinicians follow-up with individuals and/or their parents/guardians to provide information and referrals for ongoing mental health and recovery services.
California’s DHCS is utilizing funding for these grants from the broader Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), with focus being on the development and expansion of behavioral health CCMUs throughout California. For more information on California’s Crisis Care Mobile Units (CCMU) grant program, visit: here
If you or someone you know is experience a mental health or substance crisis, call OC Links 24/7 at: (855) 625-4657 or visit OC Links.
(Santa Ana, CA) — Several public health messages were announced recently by a variety of government agencies, including the White House, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regarding the COVID-19 public health emergency end dates, available resources for COVID-19 and HIV testing moving forward, and important product recalls.
Federal and State – COVID-19 Public Health Emergency End Date Planned
The Federal Government and State of California have each announced plans to end the COVID-19 public health emergency. President Biden announced plans to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023 (White House Announcement), while Governor Newsom announced an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency on February 28, 2023 (Governor Newsom’s Announcement).
As COVID-19 continues to adversely affect individuals, everyone is strongly advised to make informed decisions to prevent severe COVID-19 illness. The County Health Officer strongly recommends all county residents consider creating the following COVID-19 Action Plan for themselves:
Know your risk. Those with a weakened immune system or live with someone who does, are strongly encouraged to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Protect yourself. Get an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, improve ventilation, wash hands often, wear a well-fitted mask.
Take action if exposed. Monitor symptoms, consider wearing a mask around others when in public and test for COVID if you develop symptoms or if you plan to come into contact with someone who may have a weakened immune system.
Take action if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. Get tested and consider treatment- visit the Test to Treat website to find a location for treatment.
Receiving an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent severe COVID-19 illness. Eligible individuals who have not yet received their bivalent booster are encouraged to do so. Visit www.vaccines.gov.
Additionally, testing and treatment are important measures to help immediately detect illness and reduce chances of developing severe illness from COVID-19 for those at high risk. CDPH recently launched a public message campaign “Test It, Treat It, You Can Beat It!” Visit CDPH website www.youcanbeatit.org for more information on prevention, testing and treatment.
Increased Community Access to COVID-19 Testing Program
Last month, CDC launched the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. The ICATT program provides access to COVID-19 testing in communities at greater risk of being impacted by the pandemic, for people without health insurance, and for surge testing in state and local jurisdictions.
The ICATT program created the No-Cost COVID-19 testing locator webpage to help residents find COVID-19 testing locations and to provide contact information for the providers. The testing locator searches for testing providers using a ZIP Code or street address and will prompt users to the nearest location(s) to make an appointment for a test.
New At-Home HIV Test Kits Website Launched
To support ongoing efforts to end the HIV epidemic, CDPH, Office of AIDS (CDPH-OA) recently announced the launch of an OraQuick HIV self-testing program to all counties in California through the Building Healthy Online Communities: Take Me Home program (BHOC-TMH).
This program puts an effective free HIV screening tool directly into the hands of Californians (ages 17+) who request it via the BHOC-TMH website. The BHOC partnership developed the National Home Test Kits program for state and local health departments to offer confidential HIV and comprehensive sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing delivered securely and discreetly directly to constituents.
“HIV remains a public health challenge and knowing your HIV status helps prevent new infections,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the County Health Officer and HCA’s Acting Chief of Public Health Services. “This new resource supports testing through a secure and discreet at-home option and increases access for people with limited transportation or mobility.”
Local support is available at the OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit.
Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas Infection Associated with Artificial Tears
On February 1, 2023, CDC issued a Health Alert Advisory about infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA) in 12 states. Most patients reported using more than 10 different brands of artificial tears with some patients using multiple brands. Many patients reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles.
Patients and health care providers are advised to immediately discontinue using EzriCare Artificial Tears pending additional guidance from CDC and FDA, and patients should follow up with their health care provider for an alternative artificial tears product to use.
Anyone using EzriCare Artificial Tears and who has signs or symptoms of an eye infection, such as discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, or blurry vision, should seek timely medical care. At this time, CDC does not recommend testing of patients who have used this product and who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of infection.
The full CDC Health Alert Notification can be viewed HERE.
FDA Recalls “Diep Bao Cream” for Lead Contamination
FDA recently issued a recall of Shop Me Ca’s “Diep Bao Cream” baby cream because the 10-gram tubes have the potential to be contaminated with lead. Diep Bao Cream was sold nationwide through Shop Me Ca’s Facebook page and Vietnamese Moms’ Facebook groups.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA) in 12 states. Most patients reported using artificial tears. Patients reported more than 10 different brands of artificial tears, and some patients used multiple brands. The majority of patients who used artificial tears reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles. CDC laboratory testing identified the presence of the outbreak strain in opened EzriCare bottles with different lot numbers collected from two states. Patients and healthcare providers should immediately discontinue using EzriCare artificial tears pending additional guidance from CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The entire CDC Health Alert Notification can be viewed at:
(Santa Ana, CA) – Orange County has been moved up to the HIGH COVID-19 Community Level according to the latest metrics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) announced today. Combined with a surge in respiratory viruses and the onset of flu season, the HCA reminds residents that it is critical to follow preventive measures, including remaining up to date with vaccinations such as flu and COVID-19, to reduce the severity of disease and to help lessen the burden on hospitals.
“With the expanding COVID-19 community spread, there is a higher risk for more individuals to catch COVID-19 especially during the holidays when families are gathering,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and the HCA’s Chief Medical Officer. “As people spend more time indoors and with loved ones, these viruses will spread. We know it’s frustrating to continuously hear about the preventive measures, but they work when followed and can help to protect each other from serious illness.”
The HCA recommends residents take preventative actions to minimize the risk of severe illness and advises the following:
Get fully vaccinated including the updated bivalent booster (now available for 6 months and up, Learn more) to maximize your immunity against COVID-19 & flu. Visit https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule a vaccine.
Avoid contact with people who are sick or confirmed with COVID-19.
If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
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. If you are sick or test positive follow the self-isolation guidance.
Patients exposed to COVID-19 or who test positive for COVID-19 should contact their health care provider about available therapeutic medications or locate a Test to Treat site. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment as treatment must begin within 5-7 days of when symptoms start. Treatments are now widely available for COVID-19 and are free, like the Paxlovid pill which is safe and effective for preventing COVID-19 illness from becoming serious, can lead to testing negative sooner, and may lower the risk of long COVID.
For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of a recent increase in pediatric invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections. In November 2022, CDC was notified of a possible increase in iGAS infections among children at a hospital in Colorado. Potential increases in pediatric iGAS cases in other states were subsequently noted by contributors to the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s provider-based Emerging Infections Network and by certain jurisdictions participating in CDC’s Active Bacterial Core Surveillance System (ABCs). This increased number of pediatric iGAS cases in some jurisdictions has occurred in the setting of increased circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses. While the overall number of cases has remained relatively low and iGAS infections remain rare in children, CDC is investigating these reports.
(Santa Ana, CA) – In response to the US Health and Human Services (HHS) notifications (on 12/2/22 and 12/15/22) to State Governors by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, that tools and resources have been added to the US COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) which expand capacity to respond to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other infectious diseases, the OC Board of Supervisors voted to terminate the Local Health Emergency related to RSV.
County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Regina Chinsio- Kwong initiated the Declaration of the Local Health Emergency on 10/31/22 due to record number of pediatric hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The goal of this Declaration was to obtain regulatory flexibilities for local hospitals and avail the County of Orange to additional mutual aid resources. The HHS announcements have now expanded the resources needed to address the burden on local hospital systems and has eased the need to seek mutual aid. The HCA’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team will continue to monitor regional hospital capacity and the health care systems’ resources to support and facilitate needed assistance.
“RSV and flu cases continue to impact our pediatric hospital capacity,” said Dr. Chinsio-Kwong. “This adjustment to the PHE from our Federal partners, helps address local needs caused by the spread of non-COVID-19 illnesses, including RSV and the flu, and to address recent increased COVID-19 hospitalizations which are further straining our health care and hospital systems. The cancellation of the Local Health Emergency Declaration is not an indication that there is a reduction in cases of infection or spread of respiratory disease. It indicates only that additional resources and support are now available through the adjusted Federal PHE.”
To help mitigate further spread of RSV and other respiratory illnesses during this winter surge, the HCA encourages residents to follow preventive measures, including remaining up to date with vaccinations such as flu and COVID-19, to reduce the severity of disease and to help reduce the burden on hospitals. Individuals are asked to follow preventative measures, including:
Stay home when you are sick and symptomatic.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Mask when indoors or in large group settings.
Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
Get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to prevent complications from these viral illnesses.
Additionally, as families and communities gather to celebrate the holidays and COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing, the HCA further encourages residents to review the following information should you experience COVID-19 symptoms or are exposed:
Testing before gatherings will help mitigate the spread. Free test kits can be ordered by visiting www.covidtests.gov.
Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment as treatment must begin within 5-7 days of when symptoms start. Effective treatments are now widely available for COVID-19 and are free. Treatments like the Paxlovid pill are safe and effective for preventing COVID-19 illness from becoming serious, can lead to testing negative sooner, and may lower the risk of long COVID.
Call your health care provider or an urgent care center or connect to a free telehealth provider today by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling 833-686-5051.
Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed. You can do this by calling, texting, or emailing them, or notify them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website.
Creating a plan in the event of COVID-19 will help families be prepared for care in the event of infection. See CDC’s COVID-19 plan document.
Visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covid for current information on Orange County COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and Intensive Care Unit data.
