Updates from District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley

Alameda County, California sent this bulletin at 07/04/2020 11:46 AM PDT

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Week of June 28, 2020

In this Issue

Alameda County Partners with Native American Health Center and La Clinica to Expand Free COVIDー19 Testing
Census 2020: Every Person Counts
Food Distribution
Summer Programs with the Alameda County Library
Contact My Office

Need A COVID19 Test? Food? Childcare?

Alameda County frequently updates this COVID19 Testing, Food, and Social Services interactive map: https://www.acgov.org/maps/food-services.htm

Alameda County COVID19 Testing, Food Distribution, and Social Services Map

COVID19 Updates From Health Care Services Agency

A Statement from Health Care Services: June 29, 2020

ALAMEDA COUNTY – Given recent increases in COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates in our county and region, we are temporarily pausing our reopening plans. This means extending the timeline for the next phase of reopening in Alameda County and pulling back our request for the Board of Supervisors to support a Variance Attestation on June 30^th.

A safe reopening of businesses in our county is critical for both public health and economic recovery. To guide reopening, Alameda County health officials rely on the following data indicators to measure our progress against the pandemic: 1) rates of new cases and hospitalizations, 2) hospital inpatient bed capacity and surge capacity, 3) testing capacity, 4) disease containment capacity, and 5) supply of personal protective equipment for health care providers. While indicators 2, 3, 4, and 5 have moved in the positive direction or remained stable over the past several weeks, we are seeing unfavorable trends for cases and hospitalizations.

Alameda County’s case rate per 100,000 people has increased from 63.2 to 71.1 over the past 7 days. Daily hospitalizations were decreasing through June 22^nd, but since then we have seen a daily increase in hospitalizations. While Variance Attestation offers a path to greater alignment with the State’s pace for reopening, it requires counties to attest only when the data show that it is safe to do so. We are concerned by the increase in local cases, disproportionate impact on communities of color, local impact of the outbreak at San Quentin State Prison, and the alarming disease trends we see in counties that have opened at a faster rate. This week and next will be critical for assessing the impact of activities authorized to resume in Alameda County on June 19^th, and we will continue to closely monitor our data to inform next steps regarding reopening and attestation.

We recognize the multifaceted challenges presented by a slow reopening and are grateful for the sustained effort and sacrifices made by our residents and businesses. As the pandemic evolves, we will need to remain flexible and nimble in our response. We all play a part in safely reopening our communities and protecting people at high risk for COVID-19 infection and death. Please continue to protect yourself and others by wearing face coverings and staying six feet away from others in public, staying home as much as possible and particularly when ill, and washing your hands frequently.

To read the full press release, visit the front page of the Alameda County Health Department website: http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx

Be sure to check out last week's Health Care Services newsletter, which includes tips for staying safe during the Fourth of July, progress made during Shelter-in-Place, information about COVID19 testing, and an update about how racial disparity continues to play a role in COVID19 cases and planning.

To read the full report from Health Care Services Agency and view more information about COVID19 in Alameda County, visit the Alameda County Public Health Department website: http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov/alameda-county-update-archive.aspx .

Don't forget that wearing a mask in public is now mandatory with some exceptions as per Governor Newsom's order on June 18th. For more information, please visit the full guideline here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf

Reflections on Health Care Services Updates

Our number one priority as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds is limiting the number of hospitalizations and loss of life in our community. Since March, Alameda County has been a leader with our approach, a fine balance between proactive and cautious, and the results speak for themselves - during a recent meeting with Health Care Services, I learned that our early and rigorous action has saved an estimated 7,000 lives in Alameda County. This is a major accomplishment amidst the uncertainty, loss, and fear we have endured as a result of the pandemic.

In related news, our leadership has not gone unnoticed. Governor Gavin Newsom has tapped our own Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan to serve as the California State Epidemiologist, a huge honor and a testament to her wisdom and capabilities. I wish her the best in her new position and thank her for all she has done for our community.

Alameda County Partners with Native American Health Center and La Clinica to Expand Free COVIDー19 Testing

Alameda County announced the expansion of free COVID-19 testing at Native
American Health Center and La Clínica de la Raza in the Fruitvale district in Oakland. Testing is available to everyone, even if you don’t have symptoms, at all community testing sites, and is highly recommended for health care, front line, or essential workers and anyone who attended protests or other large public gatherings.. You don’t need insurance, nor do you need to be a patient of either clinic to be tested. You will not be asked about immigration status.

“COVID-19 is hitting certain communities hard, like Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood,” said Natalie Aguilera, Chief Administrative Officer for Native American Health Center. “In order for us to continue addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our most undeserved community members, the Native American Health Center is partnering with the County to open a new testing site, open to any
community member. As a community health center, our objective is, and will continue to be the health and
wellbeing of our whole community.”

• Native American Health Center: Located at 3050 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601, launched June 30th in partnership with Color and Carbon Health; Hours: Tuesday/Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; This is a pedestrian-access site. Make an appointment at color.com/nahc

• La Clínica de La Raza: Located in the parking lot at 35th Ave & E 12th St, Oakland, CA 94601 that launched June 8th; Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; This is a drive-through site, but pedestrian-accessible appointments are accepted. Make an appointment by
calling 510-535-3370.

COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell.

Read the full press release here: http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx

Census 2020: Every Person Counts

Black people deserve to thrive, not just survive. Black people deserve to be heard, not erased.

If we want to make Black lives matter, we have to ensure Black people are counted in the Census. Census data is used to make decisions about how money and power are shared in our society.

When Black communities are undercounted, the resources and representation our communities deserve are sent to more privileged communities instead. Getting counted in the census allows our black communities to reclaim those resources, bringing back funding for health care, food services, housing, and education. It enables the political representation necessary to fight the greater systemic problems.

Please help fight for equity by getting counted in this Census 2020 - for a complete count and beyond.