In an effort to make testing more accessible, timely, and convenient, the Orange County Health Care Agency has partnered with Ambry Genetics to bring COVID-19 testing to communities most at risk for contracting the disease.

Starting next week, residents living in Santa Ana and Anaheim will be able to register online to receive an at-home COVID-19 saliva-based test by mail or pick up one at a partnering community clinic.

For more information, please visit the OC Health Care Agency site.

Throughout the U.S., including counties in California, we have seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations after major holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are particularly concerning due to their close sequencing and the current ambient levels of COVID-19 in the community. This will lead to an amplification effect, making spreading more likely.

Preventative measures along with increase testing can help Orange County avoid or mitigate future post-holiday surges.

As always, remember to wear your mask, maintain physical distance, and stay home when possible.

Click here for more information on Orange County’s move to the State’s Purple Tier and what that means for different business sectors.

In response to the State’s action to place additional restrictions on Orange County related to COVID-19, I worked with Supervisor Don Wagner to launch the OC Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program to support local restaurants providing outdoor dining as required by the State’s purple tier guidelines.

Due to the overwhelming response of previous County business grant programs, restaurants are strongly encouraged to review the program criteria and gather required documentation in advance, which can be found here.

Applications will open beginning Friday, November 20, 2020, at 9 a.m. PST.

Click here to learn more about the program.

Orange County is allocating an additional $5.1 Million in CARES Act funding to the COVID-19 Child Care Relief Program.

Due to a high volume of child care providers who applied for the grant last month, the $5.1 million will fill the gap and fund providers who qualified but were not awarded in the first round of funding.

Thank you, Supervisor Doug Chaffee, for your support in making this relief possible for OC child care providers!

This holiday season, help keep seniors in your community connected in a COVID-safe way with Orange County’s new campaign, Happy Holidays Neighbor!

Click here to learn more about how you can help combat senior loneliness this winter.

Pastor Drew and the congregation of Orange County First Assembly are hosting two more food distributions this month to help Santa Ana families in need. Thank you to the volunteers who have been providing this service since the beginning of the pandemic!

Orange County Health Care Agency’s Mask Message Contest ends tomorrow, November 19!

Get your entry in ASAP for a chance to win a technology grant for your school of up to $7,000!

Click here for more information.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and it is important that we reflect upon our history and respect the indigenous peoples of the lands we live upon.

OC Public Libraries has compiled important historical knowledge and stories from Orange County as part of the Indigenous Voices of San Juan Capistrano project.

Click here to read more.

County of Orange employees donated nearly 1,300 professional accessory items as part of Working Wardrobes’ accessory drive last month!

Thank you to our amazing County employees for your generosity in helping OC residents get the resources they need to find the power of a paycheck.

It was an honor to accept a Golden Hanger for the third year in a row on behalf of the County!

Last week, the OCTA Board approved the purchase of 10 plug-in battery-electric buses from New Flyer for a pilot program to test how the buses perform on the streets of Orange County.

Happy to help advance our transportation infrastructure towards a sustainable and clean-air future.

Click here to read more.