RivCo COVID-19 Update - Issued January 29, 2021
 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that the stay-at-home order for Southern California is lifted. This puts Riverside County in the state’s purple tier, which allows many businesses to resume either indoor or outdoor operations.
Businesses like restaurants and gyms can operate outside, while personal care businesses like hair salons, barber shops and nail salons can operate inside.
All residents are encouraged to take a PCR swab test to contain the disease. Anyone, with or without symptoms or health insurance, can take a free PCR swab test. Visit GetTested.ruhealth.org to make an appointment. Other testing options can be found online at: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/.
For more information on which businesses may now resume more operations, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/. For more information on safe business reopening guidance and other business resources, visit https://rivcobcs.org/.
  Health officials closed the vaccine clinic at San Gorgonio Middle School in Beaumont Friday (Jan. 29) due to the severe weather that is predicted for the region.
The other clinics planned for Friday remain scheduled, but officials will be monitoring the situation at each location to ensure the public’s safety.
Those with appointments Friday at the Beaumont location will be rescheduled to Monday at the same time. They will be contacted by email to confirm the new appointment.
 There are many things we do every day to prevent injury whether are at work or play, in the workplace or in our homes.
So, as Riverside County residents continue to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important to remember that there are simple ways to protect ourselves and others from illness.
Wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing continue to offer protection from the spread of the virus.
For more information on how you can protect yourself from coronavirus, visit cdc.gov.
 It has been a year since RUHS first began response efforts to the novel coronavirus.
In January 2020 the Riverside University Health System – Medical Center team was called upon to assist the CDC in their screening efforts and provide medical care as needed.
Geoffrey Leung, M.D., Ed.M., Ambulatory Medical Director, penned a poem to capture the efforts of our team, which you can listen to in the link above.
As we reflect, we are incredibly grateful for the continued commitment of our team to serve our community.
 The mass COVID vaccination clinics are new to Riverside County. And when things are new, there can be some confusion. Read on for some commonly asked questions:
Will there be a long line when I arrive for my appointment?
Lines will vary throughout the day as some people arrive 2-3 hours ahead of appointment times. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled time. And be prepared for a 2-3 hour process, start to finish.
What should I bring?
Bring your driver’s license or any other photo ID. If you are a healthcare worker, bring proof of employment to include a work badge, or pay stubs.
Consider bringing water, snacks or medicines that you may need. In some cases, you may need to stand for an extended period or be outside, so bring a folding chair or umbrella for protection against the weather.
What happens after I receive the vaccine?
Plan on staying around for about 15 minutes while a nurse observes you for any obvious allergic reaction.
How do I go about getting my second dose of vaccine?
For residents who received their first dose at one of our public health vaccine clinics, automatic emails will be sent when it is time to make an appointment for your second dose. You may make an appointment for a second dose at any location where you can secure a time, including at a doctor, pharmacy or urgent care clinic. The appointment does not have to be made precisely on the 21-day or 28-day mark. It can occur after, just not before.
Please note that if you received the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you must receive the Pfizer second dose. The same is true for the first Moderna vaccine. Check your vaccination card to see which vaccine you received. At the time of making your second appointment, inquire which vaccine is currently available.
As we receive more vaccine, we anticipate that the appointment process will continue to streamline as we bring on more community vaccination partners and hold more vaccination clinics. If you have any questions as the time nears for a second dose, just let us know and we will be happy to find answers for you.
Please continue to follow our website for updates: www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine
 Dr. Geoffrey Leung, ambulatory medical director with Riverside University Health System (RUHS), provided an update on vaccines and their distribution in Riverside County on Thursday, Jan. 28.
Dr. Leung addressed frequently asked questions about the vaccine efficacy, the South African and Brazil variants and whether or not you should mix vaccines.
When healthy individuals take the highly-effective vaccine, the spread of the disease will slow and stop the surge on local hospitals.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine distribution phases, visit https://www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine
 Senior eligibility technician Marlene Toscano knows her work can mean the difference between a family putting food on their table or going hungry; an uninsured patient getting medical treatment or going without.
Toscano is one of 1800 eligibility technicians who help members of the community access health and human services in Riverside County. Monday marked the beginning of national Technician Appreciation Week, a chance to spotlight the vital role social service eligibility technicians play in improving the lives of struggling families and adults.
Riverside County is recruiting additional technicians to connect residents to health, nutrition and job training through self-sufficiency programs such as CalFresh, CalWORKS and Medi-Cal. Last year, DPSS served more than one million children and adults in the nation’s tenth most populous county.
An eligibility technician is often the first person our customers encounter, said Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of Self Sufficiency for DPSS. In addition to salary, Riverside County offers vacation, health and retirement benefits to full-time eligibility technicians.
Interested? Learn what a day is like for a social services eligibility technician (https://youtu.be/rJdLk82xQHk) and apply for available positions on the Riverside County human resources website: https://rc-hr.com/
 As So Cal turns to winter weather, there are warm centers available to Riverside County residents when temperatures go low. All warm centers follow COVID-19 safety protocols. Masks are required, along with proper social distancing and cleanliness.
Warm centers are made possible through a partnership with Community Action Partnership of Riverside County.
What can you to do prepare your family and your home for cold weather?
- Replenish your emergency supply kits including battery-operated radio and flashlights. Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts). Insulate pipes; allow faucets to drip during cold weather to avoid freezing.
- Have your home heating system inspected.
- Have a plan for finding a nearby shelter or other warm environment such as a Warm Center should your home heating system fail.
- Have extra blankets on hand.
- Move family pets or other large animals from the cold weather to indoors or to an enclosure.
- Move plants indoors or cover with blankets or plastic to prevent freezing.
- Do NOT bring outdoor heating devices into the home, such as barbecues and or other fuel burning devices. These items can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them.
- Check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow or water.
For more tips on how to keep warm this winter and to find a Community Action Warm Center near you visit: https://www.capriverside.org/Warm-Centers
 Keeping a clean house is an important part of staying healthy, during a pandemic and even in normal times. Consider the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for sanitizing your space:
- Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect and discard after use or use reusable gloves that are dedicated only for cleaning and disinfecting. Always wash hands after removing gloves.
- Clean any dirty surfaces using soap and water first, then use disinfectant.
- Clean or launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- If someone is sick, keep a separate bedroom and bathroom for the person who is sick (if possible).
- Disinfect with a household disinfectant on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend: keeping surface wet with disinfectant for a period of time (see product label) and precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation while using the product.
For more information, visit cdc.gov.
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