COVID 19 Updates and Information

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - Virus Image

The United States Postal Service has re-initiated test distribution. Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. The order form can be found here: https://special.usps.com/testkits. Here's what you need to know about your order:

Limit of one order per residential address
One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (https://www.covid.gov/tests has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates)
Orders will ship free starting the week of December 19, 2022

December 2022

This COVID-19 surge is different – however, when you test positive for COVID-19, there’s are more resources available for the public. COVID-19 treatments, such as the Paxlovid pill, for preventing COVID-19 illness are free and widely available! Proof of insurance not required.

It is recommended that if you test positive, seek COVID-19 treatment right away. COVID-19 treatments, like the Paxlovid pill, must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms begin to work.

If your start feeling sick, please consider the following:

Get tested for COVID-19. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline at 833-422-4255 or go to https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/ to find free COVID-19 testing.
Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work. Call your health care provider or an urgent care center, or connect to a free telehealth provider today by visiting sesamecare.com or calling 833-686-5051. You can also find a Test to Treat location where you can get tested for COVID, talk to a doctor, and get treatment all at once by calling 833-422-4255.
Isolate from others for at least 5 full days. Use the Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator to help you determine how long you should isolate.
Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed. You can do this by calling, texting, or emailing them, or notify them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website. Considering using CA Notify, a free exposure notification system that can let you know if you were recently near someone who tested positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t know each other. If you get COVID-19, CA Notify lets you alert those you may have exposed without using your name.
Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or want more information, at 833-422-4255.

Let’s make sure our communities have the knowledge they need to seek effective care when they get COVID-19. You can always find more information about COVID-19 treatment on CDPH website at https://covid19.ca.gov/treatment/

Effective April 1, 2022

Requirements for vaccine verification or proof of negative test for Indoor Mega Events will be lifted and move to a strong recommendation.

For more information related to the requirements, please visit the California Department of Public Health website at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Beyond-Blueprint-Framework.aspx

February 2022 - CALIFORNIA SMARTER

California Governor Newsom unveils SMARTER Plan charting California’s path forward on nation-leading COVID-19 Pandemic response. To view California's SMARTER Plan in full detail, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/smarter/

Free At-Home COVID Tests

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Postal Service. The tests are free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. California Department of Public Health encourages Californians to order tests now so they have them when you need them.

To order, please visit https://www.covidtests.gov/

Effective January 5, 2022 - New Temporary Indoor Mask Mandate

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is extending the requirement that masks be worn in all indoor public settings irrespective of vaccine status. The mask requirement will be extended by one month, through February 15, 2022, at which point California will make further recommendations as needed in response to the pandemic.

San Joaquin County Public Health Services has issued two Orders for the Control of COVID-19.

Updates as of December 31, 2021- effective January 15, 2022

Lowered threshold for Indoor Mega Event to 500 attendees and Outdoor Mega Event to 5,000 attendees.
- Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors (Including Mega Events) (ca.gov)
Beyond the Blueprint Questions & Answers: Industry & Sectors Guidance (Including Mega Events) (ca.gov)

Effective December 15, 2021 – Masking is required in all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). The CDPH is concerned about the increased number of hospitalizations and cases in California, as well as the spread of the omicron variant. The CDPH has issued a new travel advisory and updated COVID-19 guidance for face coverings and mega-events.

Effective immediately – People attending indoor mega events (1K or more) need to show proof of a negative test within 1 day (antigen) / 2 days (PCR) or a full vaccination
Effective immediately – Travelers returning to California should get testing within 3-5 days upon return and self-isolate If experiencing any symptoms

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx

Delta Variant

The Delta variant is more contagious than previous COVID-19 strains and may cause more than twice as many infections. To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public – even if you’re already vaccinated and are in an area of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission. If you’re not vaccinated against COVID-19, get vaccinated as soon as you can: https://myturn.ca.gov/

La variante Delta es más contagiosa que las cepas anteriores de COVID-19 y puede causar más del doble de infecciones. Para maximizar la protección contra la variante Delta y evitar la posibilidad de contagiar a otras personas, use una mascarilla en el interior de lugares públicos, incluso si ya está vacunado y se encuentra en un área de transmisión sustancial o alta de COVID-19. Si no está vacunado contra COVID-19, vacúnese lo antes posible: https://myturn.ca.gov/

Help Find a Vaccination Clinic

Offer to help a friend or family member find a vaccination location near them, make their appointment, or if needed, go with them. You can also support them by providing transportation or childcare.

More: http s://myturn.ca.gov/

Ofrezca ayuda a un amigo o familiar a encontrar un lugar de vacunación cerca de ellos, hágale la cita o, si es necesario, vaya con ellos. También puede apoyarlos proporcionándoles transporte o cuidado de niños.

Más: https://myturn.ca.gov/

Chronic Disease and COVID

Did you know people with diabetes are at higher risk of becoming very ill or dying from COVID-19? Those with diabetes or other chronic diseases should take extra care to protect themselves by:

Wearing a face covering
Keeping medical appointments
Staying six feet away from others

#COVID19 outcomes.

¿Sabía usted que las personas con diabetes corren un mayor riesgo de enfermarse gravemente o morir a causa de COVID-19? Las personas con diabetes u otras enfermedades crónicas deben cuidarse aún más: