Update on the Omicron Variant
 As of today, Omicron is now present in 35 countries, with three cases detected in the United States, one in San Francisco County, one in Minnesota and another in Colorado. There are no cases in Los Angeles County.
While we are still learning about transmissibility, the severity of cases, risk of infection, and vaccine effectiveness, there are steps we are taking to prepare our County starting with providing residents and our partners with updated information about Omicron and precautionary safety measures.
With 1.7 million students and staff back at schools this week after the Thanksgiving break, we are working with all school districts to reinforce the importance of existing school-based public health requirements and routine testing programs.
We also have teams realigning plans for protecting those most vulnerable, including those living and working at skilled nursing facilities, jails, and shelters. This includes ensuring adequate supplies of testing kits and PPE, along with modifying policies to ensure optimal safety as warranted. Later this week we will be modifying our instructions at skilled nursing facilities to require routine testing of residents and staff and rapid testing for visitors entering any indoor spaces at these facilities.
And in partnership with LAX, the state, and CDC, we will be standing up a rapid testing site at the international terminal tomorrow to provide information and offer rapid testing to international travelers. We will be messaging the need for international travelers to comply with the federal quarantine and testing guidance. Any travelers testing positive will be required to isolate and their close contacts will need to quarantine.
As we head into the winter holidays, we know it makes sense for us to be more cautious and given the emergence of a new variant concern, taking sensible steps to limit our risk of being exposed or transmitting is prudent. As we learn more about Omicron, we can certainly adjust our safety measures to be reflect the emerging science. For now, the focus remains on protecting those most vulnerable by continuing to everything we can to reduce spread.
COVID-19 testing remains important factor in slowing the spread
It is important to get tested for COVID-19 infection if you develop symptoms, even if you are fully vaccinated. Testing is also recommended for unvaccinated people who have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed COVID-19 infection or who has had a potential exposure. COVID-19 testing remains widely available across the county.
Testing is an important tool to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, however testing alone will not stop the spread of COVID-19. Identifying cases early provides an opportunity to contain outbreaks before they spread using contact tracing, isolation and quarantine directives, workplace mitigation strategies, targeted vaccination strategies, and alignment of appropriate resources. This includes County mobile teams and community health workers to get in quickly to reduce any chances that outbreaks will spread.
For more information on testing visit, covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.
Get Ahead LA
 The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant financial challenges to many residents of Los Angeles County. To combat these challenges, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Center for Financial Empowerment is pleased to announce Get Ahead LA, a campaign to safely guide LA County residents to the financial resources they need to reach their financial goals.
Through Get Ahead LA, County residents can get connected to free financial resources that can help them get back on their feet. Whether it’s rental or food assistance, financial counseling, or help finding a job, Get Ahead LA can help people access the programs they need to get ahead.
LA County residents can find important resources to help them manage their unique financial challenges. Get Ahead LA will help residents find free resources including:
- Debt management and wealth building;
- Income boosts;
- Housing stability;
- Safe financial products; and
- Health services.
Get Ahead LA is a free, user-friendly online service available today at GetAheadLA.org.
A comprehensive social media toolkit for Get Ahead LA can be accessed here.
The Weekend Queue: Social Ready Content
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Here's a reminder to wear a face covering
English: Here's your reminder to wear your face covering if you are outside your home today and around others. #SlowTheSpread. (Graphic)
Spanish: Le recordamos hoy, que si se encuentra fuera de casa y con otras personas, haga uso de su cubierta de tela para la cara. #SlowTheSpread (Graphic)
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Stay Housed LA is here to help keep you housed
English: Facing Eviction? You have rights, and you're not alone! @stayhousedla has important information about your rights and the legal assistance to back them up and keep you in your home. Visit stayhousedla.org to learn more. (Graphic)
Spanish: ¿Recibió un aviso de desalojo? ¡Tiene derechos y no estás solo! @stayhousedla ofrece información sobre sus derechos y asistencia legal para que pueda seguir en su hogar. Visite stayhousedla.org para más información. (Graphic)
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Sunday, December 6, 2021
Wear a face covering when caring for those vulnerable to COVID-19
English: Wearing a face covering when caring for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 will help protect them, and yourself. (Graphic)
Spanish: Usar una mascarilla facial cuando cuidas a otros que son vulnerables al COVID-19 ayudará a protegerlos a ellos y a ti. (Graphic)
Chinese: 照顾那些对于COVID-19脆弱的人时，戴口罩有助于保护他们和你自己。(Graphic)
Korean: COVID-19에 취약한 사람들을 돌볼 때는 얼굴 가리개를 착용하여 그들과 자기 자신을 보호하십시오.(Graphic)
Armenian: COVID-19-ի նկատմամբ խոցելի անձանց խնամելիս դիմակ կրելը կօգնի պաշտպանել նրանց և ինքներդ Ձեզ։ (Graphic)
Vietnamese: Đeo khẩu trang khi chăm sóc những người dễ bị tổn thương với COVID-19 sẽ giúp bảo vệ họ và chính bạn. (Graphic)
Copy available in additional languages:
Russian | Japanese | Tagalog | Thai | Hindi | Khmer
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You are not alone. Mental health resources are available.
English: These are stressful times for many people. You are never alone and there are resources to help ease your stress and anxiety. (Graphic)
Spanish: Estos son momentos estresantes para mucha gente. Nunca estás solo y hay recursos para ayudar a aliviar el estrés y la ansiedad. (Graphic)
Chinese: 对许多人来说，这是压力重重的时刻。 你并不孤单，有资源来帮助缓解你的压力和焦虑。 (Graphic)
Korean: 많은 이들에게 힘든 시기입니다. 귀하는 혼자가 아니며 스트레스와 불안을 줄여줄 도움이 마련되어 있습니다. (Graphic)
Armenian: Հիմա շատերի համար սթրեսային ժամանակներ են։ Դուք երբեք միայնակ չեք, և կան ռեսուրսներ՝ Ձեր սթրեսն ու վախերը թեթևացնելու հարցում Ձեզ օգնելու համար։ (Graphic)
Copy available in additional languages:
Russian | Japanese | Tagalog | Vietnamese | Thai | Hindi | Khmer
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In case you missed it
Emergency Broadband Benefit - Apply Today!
The Federal Communications Commission has launched the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help eligible families pay for home Internet service during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The program includes up to a $50 a month discount on Internet and a one-time subsidy of $100 for the purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet. The Emergency Broadband Benefit program enrollment deadline is December 31, 2021.
Apply online today at Emergency Broadband Benefit or call 866-696-8748.
Help us spread the word by downloading and sharing these one-page flyers with your community members:
English | Spanish | Korean | Chinese | Vietnamese
Additional Resources
Access our full Social Media Toolkit here.
The County of Los Angeles appreciates your continued partnership in responding to COVID-19 questions and needs of residents. For additional information, please visit:
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