County Of Los Angeles - Update 12/8/20 - Updated Health Officer Order + Holiday Coronavirus Home Test Collection Pilot + CA Notify Launch

Press release from the Venice Chamber of Commerce:

December 08, 2020

Upcoming CA Notify Launch

In this time of alarming rises in cases and hospitalizations, it is more important than ever that all Californians do their part to stop the surge. Starting Thursday, December 10, Californians can opt-in to CA Notify to receive COVID-19 notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.

CA notify will alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. With that information, they can make responsible decisions around quarantine and testing, which is essential for stopping the surge.

The technology is available through the Google Play store on Android devices or through iOS settings on Apple devices. For more information about CA Notify, visit canotify.ca.gov.

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12/7/20

ICU Capacity Falls Below 15% and Updated Health Officer Order

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge and ICU capacity declines in Los Angeles County and across the Southern California Region, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order has been modified to align with the State Regional Stay Home Order to prevent crowding and mingling among non-household members and overwhelming our healthcare system.

The Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing. The State Regional Stay at Home Order is similar to the existing County Safer at Home Health Offer with additional sector closings.

The following sectors are required to close or remain closed for all operations:

• Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
• Indoor recreational facilities
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Personal care services
• Museums, zoos, and aquariums
• Movie theaters
• Wineries
• Bars, breweries, and distilleries
• Family entertainment centers
• Cardrooms and satellite wagering
• Limited services as defined by the state
• Live audience sports
• Amusement parks

The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:

• Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays for recreational visits at campgrounds will not be permitted.
• Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores and all common areas closed. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.
• Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.
• Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
• Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.
• Entertainment production including professional sports: Allow operation without live audiences. Additionally, testing protocol and “bubbles” are highly encouraged.

The Order does not modify existing school guidance. Schools that are open under County protocols can continue to provide in-person instruction as permitted.

The following sectors are allowed to remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures including 100% masking and physical distancing:

• Critical infrastructure
• Non-urgent medical and dental care
• Childcare

Everyone in California must adhere to State Health Officer Orders. Counties may be more restrictive than State mandates, but not less restrictive.

The State announced a Regional Stay Home Order will go into effect and would remain in effect for at least three weeks in California regions where ICU capacity falls below 15%. The State advises the Order goes into effect Sunday, December 6 at 11:59 p.m. and remains in effect for at least 3 weeks.

LA County Launches Holiday COVID-19 Home Test Collection Pilot

LA County launched a new COVID-19 home test collection program today, which allows certain County residents to do free testing from the comfort of their own homes.
The home test collection program will run from December 1, 2020 through January 15, 2021. It aims to help address the current surge in demand for testing and reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season when people may risk exposure.

Individuals can have testing kits mailed to their home if they:

• Have COVID-19 symptoms; or
• Were recently in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or is suspected of having it; or
• Are a senior or person with disabilities who feel they were exposed to COVID-19, but are unable to go to a testing site.

The temporary program will use Picture COVID-19, an FDA-approved home collection test developed by Fulgent Genetics, Inc. For information on how to register, individuals should go to the county COVID-19 testing site. If they qualify, Fulgent Genetics will ship a collection kit to their home within two days.

Individuals taking the test at home should follow the directions to collect the sample and take it to a FedEx drop box the same day or have someone take it to a drop box on their behalf. Individuals will receive the results by e-mail within two days. While waiting for the testing kit and the results, individuals should continue following public health guidance on staying home and avoiding contact with others.

To learn more about COVID-19 testing in LA County, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

This press release was produced by the Venice Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed are the author's own.