Out of an abundance of caution, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park will be closed through Friday, June 5 due to recent mountain lion activity. Members of the public and OC Parks staff reported multiple mountain lion sightings in the park on May 28 and 29. OC Parks rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens are investigating the sightings. Please visit OCParks.com for updates.

In light of recently-issued industry guidance by the California Department of Public Health and Cal-OSHA regarding places of worship and hair salons, the County Health Officer today issued amended Health Officer’s Orders and strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County as more businesses move toward re-opening. They revise and supersede the May 23, 2020 Orders and recommendations.

Effective today at 12 AM, Friday, May 29, 2020, and continuing until further notice, the following will be in effect in incorporated and unincorporated areas of Orange County: 

1) Self-Isolation of Persons with COVID-19 - All Orange County residents who have been diagnosed with or are likely to have COVID-19, as defined below, shall immediately isolate themselves in their home or another residence under the following criteria, as applicable:

• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms shall isolate themselves until: (i) at least 3 days (72 hours) after they have recovered, meaning their fever has resolved without use of fever-reducing medications and their respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved; AND (ii) at least 10 days has elapsed from when their symptoms first appeared.
• Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 PCR laboratory test result and are without COVID-19 symptoms shall isolate themselves for 10 days from the date when the specimen for the positive COVID-19 PRC laboratory test result was obtained.

This self-isolation order DOES NOT in any way restrict access by first responders to an isolation site during an emergency. 

2) Self-Quarantine of Persons Exposed to COVID-19 - All county residents who know that they have been in close contact, as defined below, with a person diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19 shall take the following actions:

• Quarantine themselves in their home or another residence until 14 days from the last date that they were in close contact with a person that has been diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19.
• Exposed persons shall self-quarantine themselves for the entire 14-day COVID-19 incubation period, the typical time between exposure and when symptoms and signs of the disease may develop. They may not leave their place of quarantine except to receive necessary medical care or to obtain such other goods or services necessary for their basic subsistence.

This self-quarantine order DOES NOT in any way restrict access by first responders to a quarantine site during an emergency. This self-quarantine SHALL NOT APPLY to health care professionals and law enforcement personnel.

All businesses, industries, and entities listed on the State’s website here and here, which are reopening in Orange County as part of Stage 2 of the State’s Resilience Roadmap, shall post their corresponding industry-specific checklist at a location visible to the public at the public entrance of each property.

In addition to the foregoing industry-specific checklist, all businesses, industries, and entities shall post a document at a location visible to the public at the public entrance of each property that specifically includes an attestation by the business, industry, or entity owner and/or operator that it has:

• Performed a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan;
• Trained employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them;
  Implemented individual control measures and screenings;
• Implemented disinfecting protocols; and
• Implemented physical distancing guidelines. 

3) Cloth Face-Covering - All Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside in the same living unit. The cloth face-covering order SHALL NOT APPLY to the following persons:

• Children under the age of 2;
• Anyone who has trouble breathing, or who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face-covering without assistance; or
• Persons with a medical or mental health condition or development disability that prevents wearing a cloth face-covering.

Residents are encouraged to read the Health Officer’s Order and strong recommendations (and related FAQs) in their entirety HERE, as there is greater detail to provide necessary clarification.

For more County of Orange information and resources about COVID-19, please click here. 

The County of Orange has received a $900,000 grant from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to provide economic support for dislocated workers.

Orange County residents whose employment recently ended as a result of COVID-19 are eligible for the Orange County Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. The program is designed to meet employer needs by helping job seekers upgrade skills, obtain employment, gain credential and improve job retention and increase earnings.

The grant will support approximately 1,500 Orange County residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and need assistance.

Orange County WIOA Adult & Dislocated Worker program participants are eligible to receive up to $800.00 reimbursement for essentials such as housing, utilities, childcare and transportation costs.

Dislocated workers can enroll in WIOA through OC One-Stop Centers located in the cities of Irvine and Garden Grove. For more information, call the Economic and Business Recovery Call Center at 714-480-6500. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, OC One-Stop Centers are providing services by appointment only.

I'm pleased to report our OC Community Services Community Investment Division has partnered with Google Fiber to provide loaner laptops and hotspots in an effort to increase access to workforce development programs and services offered through our Irvine One-Stop Center during this critical period.

The laptops and hotspots will be made available, enabling dislocated workers free access to apply for jobs and unemployment benefits. Job seekers will be able to check out a laptop and hotspot at the Irvine One-Stop Center by contacting the Orange County Economic and Business Recovery line at (714) 480-6500 and completing a telephone application.

The laptops and hotspots will be available for checkout as a pair at no cost. With free access to laptops and hotspots for job seekers, businesses will be connected to a larger pool of candidates who are qualified for jobs, without barriers to resources.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Orange County One-Stop Centers had to modify service delivery available to match the need of those impacted. The partnership between these organizations not only allowed the County to expand resources at the Irvine One-Stop Center but also created an opportunity to offer these services at no cost.

In addition to the laptop and hotspot loans, the Irvine One-Stop Center offers free comprehensive services such as hiring assistance, career transition services, and employment services to businesses and job seekers.

For more information about the Orange County One-Stop Centers, click here. For more information about Google Fiber, click here.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) continues to release the daily COVID-19 case counts by cities in Orange County, in addition to the cumulative cases and deaths to date in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 5,923 positive cumulative cases and 145 deaths in Orange County, including 255 currently hospitalized with 98 in ICU.

Please be advised that the city data is reflective of where cases live, not necessarily where transmission occurred. Additionally, city numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, as COVID-19 is present in all communities in Orange County.

Case counts are also not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick. Asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by the Governor and the Orange County Health Officer regardless of the case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospital and healthcare system, and protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to launch four new testing sites in Buena Park, Orange, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano. 

The State sites are powered through a partnership with OptumServe, the federal government health services business of Optum, a leading health services innovation company. 

The new test locations were identified by looking at areas where Californians had to travel between 30 and 60 minutes to reach existing test sites. This information was cross-referenced with under-served populations to address known disparities and median income, so residents have access to testing, regardless of socioeconomic status.

The four new State sites increase the County’s testing capacity by 2,640 per week. When combined with testing presently available through the County’s existing OC COVID-19 Testing Network, a total of nearly 7,000 tests per week are available for FREE for all community members without insurance or who have been unable to receive testing through their health care providers.

At this time, testing priority is given to people with symptoms as well as asymptomatic health care workers, first responders, and social service employees and essential workers who do not have access to testing through their employer or health care provider.

There is no out-of-pocket cost, though insurance will be billed if available. Additionally, there is no medical assessment offered at these new testing sites, so residents who access the testing feature are also strongly encouraged to call their health care provider for guidance on management of symptoms.

I believe that knowledge is power. Now that we have the ability to test more residents, we can gather additional data that may help us refine our knowledge of COVID-19 in Orange County and inform our policy decisions moving forward.

For more information on testing criteria and to schedule an appointment, please click here and scroll down to OPTUMSERVE TESTING SITES. Residents without internet access interested in making an appointment at a State site may call 1-888-634-1123. 

The County of Orange has consolidated the information and links to various local, state and federal resources that are available to our residents and businesses. Please visit our COVID-19 Resource Directory.  

I am pleased to report the launch of the Great Plates Delivered program to support seniors and local businesses needing assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. To that end, the County has partnered with multiple local food providers to deliver three nutritious meals per day to adults 65 and older, and adults 60-64 who are at high-risk for COVID-19, to support them staying home and healthy.

Thousands of seniors countywide have signed up for the Great Plates Delivered Program and more are signing up each day. The program also provides essential economic stimulus to local businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat during these difficult times. The program has been extended through June 10.

Restaurants already participating in a state or federal meal service program, including the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program, are not eligible to participate.

Per the State’s direction, individuals who wish to enroll in the Great Plates Delivered program must fall under the following criteria to qualify:

A) Individuals who are 65 or older, or 60-64 and at high-risk as defined by the CDC, including:

• Individuals who are COVID-19 positive (as documented by a state/local public health official or medical health professional)
• Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 (as documented by a state/local public health official or medical health professional); or
• Individuals with an underlying condition.

B) Individuals must live alone or with one other program-eligible adult.

C) Individuals must not be currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs, such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels.

D) Individuals must affirm an inability to prepare or obtain meals. 

Individuals interested in receiving meals and businesses wanting to participate can call the Information & Assistance Call Center at (714) 480-6450 for further guidance.

For more information on meal assistance programs for seniors in South County, please visit Age Well Senior Services. For more information on business and economic recovery in Orange County, visit OC Community Services or call (714) 480-6500.

Many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet. Unfortunately, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money.

Now would be a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys that are used by scammers regarding COVID-19. Read more here.

John Wayne Airport would like to know what Orange County residents and passengers expect of airports as communities emerge from COVID-19 and resume air travel. Share your thoughts about operational and customer experience by taking this short survey.

May is National Mental Health Month, and as the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's website, 

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website. 

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

For general information, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 426-6411, visit the HCA website, or follow HCA on Facebook and Twitter.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is excited to announce its new Virtual Programs webpage.

To that end, OCPL staff has been working hard the last couple of months to create some amazing digital content. To date, OCPL has dozens of virtual programs published on social media (with dozens more in our backlog ready to be published!) and our communities are responding positively to the new way we are providing service.

This site will be updated regularly. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

Friendship Shelter invites you to participate June 1 in an online gathering of community members and staff at 4:30 PM to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted people experiencing homelessness and the systems that serve them.

RSVP by 5 PM May 31 to receive the link to join, and submit your questions by noon June 1. 

Click the image above to RSVP by May 31.

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites all to visit their Digital Resource Center (DRC) for continued ways to experience, learn, and interact with the Mission. The DCR offers many digital events and video tours, including:

• Mission Garden Tour Video
• Birds Eye View Video
• Moment with a Docent Video
• Digital Photography Art Exhibit
• En Plein Air Digital Artwork Exhibit
• Fourth Grade Free Voucher
• Distance Learning Page for Parents & Teachers
• Reopen Dates for Mission San Juan Capistrano
• Sunset Stroll through the Mission Gardens
• Digital Museum Archives

For more information, please click here.

Enjoy a FREE livestream event this Saturday, May 30 at 6:00 PM on AlertTheGlobe.com. The show, taking place at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, will feature Salty Suites and Robert John.

Take 10, produced by Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano, is an opportunity to entertain you and your chance to enjoy one of their favorite 10 minute plays. Take 10 minutes Tuesday and watch one of one of their favorite 'ShowOff!' plays, "Coming To Town" by Keith Whalen.

Click the image above for more info.

Sunset Serenades from your Sofa is a new virtual video series. The Laguna Beach Arts Commission has postponed the May and June concert series due to COVID-19, but the musicians want to give the community a personal message.

Even though Pacific Symphony has temporarily suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, the Symphony will stay in touch online, serving up culture and entertainment. Their new Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all the Symphony’s offerings online!

For those of you who may have missed any of my previous  Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, please click here. 

Thank you to all of our residents for your outstanding efforts in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together! Please keep up the great work and enjoy a safe and healthy weekend!