COVID-19 and Other Vaccines 

Cases and outbreaks of respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19, continue to spike. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends all adults ages 65 years and older receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose to help protect against severe disease. For on-site clinics, COVID-19 and other vaccines please click here. Champions for Health recently released new information about their vaccine program. Please see ST- Long Term Care Skilled Nursing Brochure for this update. If you are having difficulty accessing vaccinations feel free to email our HCPS team at MOC.HCPS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov and one of our team members can assist you. 

Champions For Health continues to offer accessible vaccination services to Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are available, and clinics can be scheduled within 2 weeks of the request. To schedule a vaccine clinic, you can contact Abel Manaig, JR at (619) 431-0404 or email LTCH.vax@ChampionsFH.org. You can see more information by seeing the Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing Brochure.

COVID-19 Testing

CDPH has both at-home and CLIA-waived tests that Skilled Nursing Facilities and Long-Term Care Facilities can order directly through them until June 30, 2024. Please see the At-Home Testing Program Update for more information. Facilities can also request both at-home tests and CLIA-waived professional antigen tests using the Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) system.

To request testing resources, please email moc.logs.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov. Please include your organization/facility name, a shipping address, a contact phone number, and an explanation of your need for resources. 

CDPH OHB Offers Portable Air Cleaners to SNFs

CDPH, Occupational Health Branch (OHB), is currently accepting applications from SNFs to receive portable air cleaners or a negative air machine to improve indoor air quality for their staff and residents. In order to receive them, these devices must be used in resident rooms when isolating residents infected with viruses that are transmitted through the air (such as COVID-19 or influenza) in alignment with CDPH guidance and recommendations.

Each facility may apply for up to 6 portable air cleaners (PACs) or one negative air machine (NAM). Please see the links for more information on improving indoor air quality in SNFs and best practices of ventilation in isolation areas of SNFs. For any questions about this application, please contact: Kyle.Peerless@cdph.ca.gov To apply, SNFs will need to fill out this brief form: https://forms.office.com/g/VtP0uZNduJ.

Storm Preparedness and Safety CDPH

Storms can cause flooding, mudslides and power outages that can lead to public health challenges like mold and diseases. Be careful of mold, which can be a risk to health or an issue for individuals with asthma or respiratory issues. CDPH has updated our Storm Preparedness communications toolkit to help Californians take precautions before, during, and after storms.

Additional resources: 

• CDPH Emergency Preparedness Office Winter Storms Information
• California Office of Emergency Storms Season Safety
• CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather Information

The Ps of Emergency Preparedness

Parts of California continue to experience rain, snow and wind from powerful storms. In response to this ongoing situation, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has crafted a toolkit centered around the "Ps of Emergency Preparedness." This resource is designed to assist individuals in ensuring preparedness for potential emergency evacuations. Learn more about preparing for winter storms and flood recovery. 

City of San Diego

The City of San Diego has developed a Storm Preparedness Fact Sheet after a record amount of rainfall and flooding on Monday, January 22, 2024. To obtain information on storm preparedness please visit the City's flyer here. For local assistance and hours of operation, please click here. 

Understanding Air Quality & Making Improvements at the Workplace

Protecting your health during periods of poor air quality requires an understanding of what air quality is, how it is evaluated, and the most important indoor and outdoor safety measures to take when air quality is unhealthy. PHCC’s newest resource, Protect Your Health: Understanding Air Quality, will help you communicate about air quality and protective measures people can take to stay safe. This resource is available in English and Spanish and includes:

• The fundamentals of understanding air quality and the Air Quality Index (AQI).
• A visual guide to the major sources of air pollution.
• Recommendations for protecting your health routinely and during air-quality alert days.

Read the California Department of Public Health guide on Improving Air Quality at Work and learn how you can reduce the spread of COVID-19 through the air in your workspace.

Wildfire Safety Awareness

Wildfires can release ash into the air, which can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Take steps to reduce air pollutants in your home. 

• Stay inside as much as possible and close all windows, doors and vents. 
• Check the air quality and sign up for updates. 
• Change settings on your A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier. 

If you need to go outside, wear an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask. Learn more about how you can protect yourself from smoke and ash during wildfires at Wildfires (ca.gov) & Smoke & Ash Safety (ca.gov).

SD Emergency App

Download the free SD Emergency App to help you plan, prepare, stay informed and recover from an emergency. Find out more by visiting the Ready San Diego website.

Be Prepared for Wildfire & Public Safety

SDG&E continually monitors weather and other climate conditions and may have to shut off power to help prevent a wildfire.  All residents in San Diego County could be affected and should be prepared. To learn how to stay informed and how to be prepared visit the SDGE Wildfire Safety website. 

Vaccine Office Hours with the Experts Meeting Series

CALTCM together with HSAG and QIN-QIO for California and Arizona, invites nursing home medical directors, administrators, directors of nursing, infection preventionists, and vaccine ambassadors to join this meeting series. CALTCM physician experts will be available to field questions and discuss common challenges that could potentially lead to vaccine hesitancy. HSAG will also be available to field questions and share tools and resources. 

• The workshop will be virtual on Zoom
• Held twice a month starting April 25 through October 24 
• Registration: Meeting Registration - Zoom Click to edit this placeholder text.

Virtual Healthier Living with Chronic Pain Workshop 3/28 - 5/2

If you or someone you care for is dealing with a chronic pain, this workshop is for you! Sessions support the self-management techniques to deal with symptoms of chronic pain conditions, such as fatigue, sleeplessness, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear, and frustration, with emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for managing pain.

• The workshop will be virtual on Zoom
• Held on Thursdays 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am
• Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DYXX7QD

Virtual Healthier Living with Diabetes Workshop 4/30 - 6/4

Sessions support the self-management techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, pain, hyper- and hypoglycemia, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear, and frustration.

• The workshop will be virtual on Zoom
• Held on Tuesdays 4/30, 5/7, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
• Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P3JVD2L

2024 San Diego Medical Response & Surge Full Scale Exercise

San Diego County Medical Operation Center (MOC) will be activating to conduct a regional Full-Scale Exercise (FSE) featuring a train derailment scenario leading to a 20%patient surge across the health and medical system in the San Diego Operational Area. The San Diego Healthcare Disaster Coalition (SDHDC) Response Plan, Pediatric Annex, Chemical Annex and Burn Surge Annexes will be activated and tested during the exercise.

• The event will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 8:00am - 12:00pm at San Diego County Medical Operation Center (MOC).
• Flyer: https://bit.ly/43h0erU
• Registration: https://bit.ly/SD-MRSE2024