Critical Blood Shortage and COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Shortage
1. Remember a Face Covering is an Everyday Thing
Remember to wear a face covering to help slow the spread. It is dangerous to take your face covering off around people who do not live with you. Wear it every time you are outside your home and around others and make sure it covers your mouth AND your nose. Visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website to learn how to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.
2.“We Didn’t Think We Would Get COVID-19”
More than three million Californians have contracted COVID-19, and more than 30,000 have died. At this critical point in the fight against COVID-19, it is important to listen to those who have been impacted by this disease, namely those who have lost loved ones and those on the front lines who have given so much of themselves to care for their communities.
You are considered to have COVID-19, if you have a positive diagnostic viral (swab or saliva) test for COVID-19 and/or if a healthcare provider thinks that you have COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, you must isolate yourself.
Self-Isolate
Stay home from work, school, and public areas.
Stay away from others at home.
Wear a face covering if you must be around others.
Clean and sanitize any shared surfaces and rooms.
Tell your close contacts that they need to quarantine if you have a positive diagnostic viral test.
For help finding free delivery services, social services, essential items like food and medicines, visit the Public Health resources webpage or call 2-1-1. If you are unable to isolate safely, call (833) 540-0473.
Know the COVID-19 symptoms:
fever or chills
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
fatigue
muscle or body aches
headache
new loss of taste or smell
sore throat
congestion or runny nose
nausea or vomiting
When Does Home Isolation End?
If you had symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 or if a healthcare provider thinks* that you have COVID-19, you must stay home until:
At least 10 days** have passed since your symptoms first started and
You have had no fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) and
Your symptoms have improved
If you tested positive for COVID-19 but never had any symptoms:
You must stay home for 10 days after the test was taken, but
If you develop symptoms, you need to follow the instructions above
*If a healthcare provider initially thought your symptoms were due to COVID-19 but they reassessed your diagnosis and concluded that you are not infected, you can stop isolating once 24 hours have passed since you have been fever-free without using fever-reducing medications. However, if you are under quarantine orders (because you are a close contact to a person with COVID-19) you must stay in quarantine.
Los Angeles County residents who are 65 years old and older can now register for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
The vaccine supply is still extremely limited, and Los Angeles County continues to urge patience as the County works urgently with our federal and state partners to expand capacity and supply in the weeks ahead.
The opening of appointment registration for a new tier comes as the County opens five large capacity vaccination sites across the County. These large-scale vaccination sites started operating Tuesday, January 19, and will be able to vaccinate approximately 4,000 people per day at each site, significantly increasing the number of people vaccinated.
The large-scale vaccination sites will aim to vaccinate 500,000 Los Angeles County residents in a month. Visit the Vaccinate LA County website to learn more about the vaccine, the vaccination distribution process, and to schedule your appointment.
Due to demand, the statewide vaccine reservation system went down for several hours yesterday afternoon. Thousands of individuals were nevertheless able to schedule vaccination appointments. While Public Health is continuing to work with state partners to improve the functionality of the website, Public Health asks for your patience as they build capacity and supply. Public Health may add additional slots later this week and additional slots may open if people cancel their appointments. Continue to check the Vaccinate LA County website for updates.
92 percent of the Culver City Fire Department’s first responders have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The high vaccination rate provides another layer of protection to Culver City firefighters and the Culver City community. CCFD is grateful to Southern California Hospital at Culver City in partnering with the Fire Department.
The City continues to work with Public Health to set up a local vaccination site. In the meantime, several Culver City firefighters have volunteered their off-duty time to assist at the five County vaccine distribution centers.
5. COVID-19 Counts in Culver City and LA County
The City of Culver City mourns the loss of our residents who have passed away, which sadly includes the passing of residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department tracks COVID-19 cases and deaths of County residents.
Culver City’s Case and Death Counts – as of January 12, 2021
Cases in Culver City – 1,769
Deaths in Culver City – 61
Cases in Los Angeles County – 6,492 new cases were reported today (1,038,092 cases to date)
Deaths in Los Angeles County – 262 new deaths were reported today (14,384 deaths to date)
Please protect yourself and those around you by wearing a face covering, washing your hands regularly, staying at home as much as possible, keeping at least six feet of physical distance from others when in public, and avoiding people who do not live with you.
6. Critical Blood Shortage and COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Shortage
Are you fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis? If so, the plasma in your blood may contain COVID-19 antibodies that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currently ill COVID-19 patients, so your donation could help save the lives of patients battling this disease! It is a special gift only those who have recovered from the virus can give. For more information and to locate a donation center, visit the State of California COVID-19 plasma webpage.
There is a critical blood shortage. Please sign up to donate today:
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM).
Questions? Call the Culver City Hotline
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need or question related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need or question. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
