OC Supes Want Novel Coronavirus Frontline Training, Resources

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —A new proposal by Orange County Board of Supervisors is asking for help for healthcare workers who would most likely be the first to identify potential novel coronavirus patients, authorities say. According to Supervisors Michelle Steel and Andrew Do, being able to quickly and correctly respond to COVID-19, avoiding mistakes and delays, would help in slowing or halting undue exposure to the virus.

It would take being taught by experienced healthcare workers in other jurisdictions in the worldwide response to coronavirus.

"Orange County will take every step to prepare and protect our community from Coronavirus," said Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. "We want all frontline health care workers and first responders to know exactly what to do, how to interact with suspected coronavirus cases when to notify federal health authorities, and the proper ways to protect themselves from exposure to the virus."

On Friday, 100 healthcare workers in Solano County were reportedly exposed to the virus. One mistake by a healthcare worker could make containment turn to an outbreak, Do said.

"We want to learn from other jurisdictions now – while Orange County still has no active cases," Do said.

The county-sponsored training program will be considered at an emergency board meeting on Monday, March 2, following Orange County's state of emergency declaration issued on Wednesday, February 26.

"The video is a great example of why we need a local training program," said Supervisor Andrew Do. "Frontline healthcare workers and first responders are the backbones of our emergency response plan, and this training program is about giving them the resources they need to keep us safe." In responding to coronavirus patients quarantined to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Japanese health officials were exposed to and later diagnosed with the virus after wearing masks, but not full protective suits.

Under the proposal, the training and resource program will be available to all frontline health workers and first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, nurses, doctors, and all other relevant personnel.

Enacting the proposal would:

• provide proper training for identifying the first signs and symptoms of Coronavirus
• educate personnel on proper response protocols for handling suspected coronavirus cases,
• ensure that every first responder and health care work has access to proper protective equipment.

"Orange County needs to develop an immediate training program to implement the best practices for responding to Coronavirus," said Steel. "We want to learn from other jurisdictions." In addition to their proposal for a training program, County Supervisors Andrew Do and Michelle Steel are also proposing immediate action to develop a plan to secure John Wayne Airport from spreading the disease as well as a full assessment of the County's protective health equipment.

Report Supports County Lawsuit to Block Patients in Costa Mesa

According to Do and Steel, a new whistleblower report also alleges that U.S. health officials were sent to Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base without proper equipment and training of safety protocols. That report adds credibility to the decision to join a legal case challenging the state and federal plan to house coronavirus patients at an aging mental health facility in Costa Mesa

Last Friday, the City of Costa Mesa received a temporary restraining order from a federal judge after learning about the state's plan to send individuals affected with coronavirus from the Travis Airforce Base in Solano County to the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.