Supervisor Sue Novasel District V Newsletter - April 10, 2020

April 10,2020                                                                        Edition #32

Supervisor Novasel

El Dorado County

District V Supervisor, Sue Novasel Updates and Input Newsletter 

Barton Health Seeks Community Members With Clinical Expertise to Join New “Medical Corps”

Barton Health is seeking retired or available physicians, nurses, EMTs, and other medical professionals with clinical expertise to work with the hospital as it prepares to treat an influx of patients expected during the coronavirus crisis.

Under the guidance of the California Department of Public Health, as well as national, state and local health authorities, Barton is preparing for a surge in patients seeking medical care. As it prepares for this increase, Barton is reaching out to the community seeking anyone with a healthcare background or experience. Additionally, there will be a need for non-clinical support staff to fill ancillary roles throughout the hospital.

“This is an extraordinary time and we’re looking to our extraordinary community for help,” said Dr. Clint
Purvance, CEO of Barton Health. “None of us have experienced anything like this. We have a highly qualified team of staff and physicians in place but with a potential influx of patients exceeding our normal capacities we, just like all hospitals, will need additional resources.”

“Part of our intensive planning includes identifying residents in the South Shore region who may have gone to medical or nursing school, or with any clinical background. We know this is a big request and it’s not one we make lightly. But I am certain there are qualified and generous people in this community who will want to help our team.”

Public health experts say the United States will soon experience a shortage of healthcare workers in many places as cases of COVID-19 escalate. As hospitals fill, front-line health workers could be overwhelmed with new patients. This has already happened in Seattle, Wash., and New York City, and while South Lake Tahoe is much smaller, it will take far less to tax its health care delivery system.

Persons interested in volunteering for clinical or non-clinical support roles should email bartonhr@bartonhealth.org. Additionally, clinical roles including physicians, pharmacists, dentists, NPs, PAs, nurses, behavioral health professionals, respiratory therapists, paramedics, MAs, EMTs, and select clinical students will also need to register their credentials with the State of California as Governor Newsom has announced payment and malpractice insurance will be covered through the State of California for these clinical roles.

The California Medical Services Authority has created California Health Corps Registration where a licensed and credentialed healthcare professional can register to then be ready to serve at a moment’s notice. This registry ensures your credentials are current and verified, resulting in an expedited process for activation, if you decide to accept an opportunity to participate in a clinical role at Barton Health.

For more information, please visit bartonhealth.org/medcorps; participant questions can be sent to bartonhr@bartonhealth.org.

Med corps

USFS Area Closure

The USDA Forest Service intends to issue a Forest Order to close areas on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) within the South Shore Recreation Corridor in the interest of public health and safety. This Forest Order will run through April 30th, or until Executive Order N-33-20 is lifted. This corridor of the LTBMU comprises numerous developed recreation facilities along State Highway 89 between South Lake Tahoe, CA and the lateral moraine east of Cascade Lake.  

El Dorado HOT Team Takes Steps to Identify, Help County's Homeless During COVID-19 Pandemic

 The County's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) recently created the COVID-19 Homeless Community Response Team. Working in collaboration with the Office of Emergency Services' Emergency Operations Center (EOC) the team identifies vulnerable individuals throughout the County and educates them on best practices in addition to offering assistance to them to improve the overall safety of the community from this virus. 

"The goal of this group is to assist the homeless in minimizing contact with the same expectation as the rest of the County, state and nation," said Jason Bloxsom, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Sergeant in charge of the Homeless Outreach Team. "Our collaborative group will continue to provide ongoing medical assessments during the pandemic in a proactive effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 amongst the homeless population and the community. As at-risk or symptomatic individuals are identified, efforts will be made to provide proper medical attention to include suitable shelter and monitoring until they are medically cleared for repopulation," he said.  

In addition to HOT personnel, the team includes Martin Entwistle, Vice President of Population Health for Marshall Hospital, Shaunda Crane, Director of Care Coordination for Vulnerable Populations for Marshall Hospital, and volunteers from the County.

HOT has been in the field for the past three weeks contacting the homeless to begin the process of identifying those most vulnerable to COVID-19.  Members of HOT, the Continuum of Care, Cal Fire, community volunteers, Marshall Medical nurses, and Community Health nurses will provide additional education and care kits for medical needs related to COVID-19. Focused efforts are also being made by volunteers to provide basic necessities to aid this vulnerable population with sheltering in place.  

HOT

TRPA Ramps Up Online Permitting

 The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has expanded its virtual services to the furthest extent possible to help keep its team and customers safe during the COVID-19 crisis, the agency said. Agency employees have been working around the clock to move permitting, planning, and document request services to online operations since stay-at-home orders went into effect.

Now permit applications, site inspection requests, documents requests, and stamping of approved plans can be completed digitally. While only some construction activities can continue under shelter-in-place orders, property owners and permitting consultants continue to prepare for the construction season. As these services relate to a sliver of economic stability in an uncertain time, the agency is striving to keep projects moving forward.

“The nation and the Tahoe Region are in uncertain times right now and we are committed to supporting the local economy and keeping essential projects moving forward in a safe manner,” said Joanne S. Marchetta, Executive Director.

How to Use TRPA Online and Electronic Services

Although TRPA customer service counters on South and North shores remain temporarily closed, a drop-off box is now available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the vestibule at TRPA offices at 128 Market Street in Stateline, Nevada. To schedule a telephone consultation for a project or for more information, call (775) 588-4547 or email Alex Eidam aeidam@trpa.org.

El Dorado County Parks Division Update

The El Dorado County Parks Division currently has altered office hours from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. If you need in-person assistance, please contact them at 530-621-6060 or 530-621-7538 to set up an appointment during these hours.

All El Dorado County Parks Playgrounds are temporarily closed. This includes the playgrounds at Henningsen Lotus Park, Bradford Park, and Pioneer Park. 

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IN THIS ISSUE

Barton Health Seeks Community Members

USFS Area Closure

HOT Team Takes Steps to Help Homeless During Pandemic

TRPA Ramps Up Online Permitting

EDC Parks Division  Update

 

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