Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his plan for learning and safe schools ahead of the 2020–2021 school year, as the California Department of Public Health issued a framework for when and how schools should reopen for in-person instruction.

The Governor’s plan centers on five key areas:

1) Safe in-person school based on local health data

2) Strong mask requirements for anyone in the school

3) Physical distancing requirements & other adaptations

4) Regular testing and dedicated contact tracing for outbreaks at schools

5) Rigorous distance learning

For full guidance from the California Department of Public Health, click here or on the image below. 

Click the image above for more info.

Please be advised that applications are still being accepted for the 5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program on a first come, first funded basis for eligible businesses and nonprofits in cities where funding is still available.

The program will permanently close Sunday, July 19 at 5:00 PM or when each city's allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first. The application portal will continue to be updated with information on available funding.

Following Round 1 of the application process, we awarded approximately $8.6 million dollars in grants to 872 businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Round 1 list of awardees is available here.

In Round 2, we received an additional 226 eligible applications, totaling approximately $2.3 million. A list of  Round 2 awardees is forthcoming.

Since the close of Round 2 on July 5, we've received 241 more applications, which are currently being reviewed on a first come, first funded basis. To reiterate, the program will permanently close Sunday, July 19 at 5:00 PM.

Program eligibility, criteria, and a link to the application can be found at the dedicated webpage. 

In a model private-public partnership, the County of Orange this week announced that, thanks to a collaboration with 360 Clinic and the City of Anaheim, we will be able to significantly increase COVID-19 testing capacity with the opening of large scale drive-through testing at Anaheim Convention Center starting July 15.

Testing is key to providing people the information they need to make decisions and take action to protect themselves and others should they test positive for COVID-19. As such, 360 Clinic will be conducting no-out-of-pocket cost testing, leveraging personal insurance reimbursements and federal government assistance for the uninsured, with additional financial support from the County.

Tests will be available for individuals on prioritized for testing by the California Department of Public Health:

• People with symptoms
• Close contacts to people known to have COVID-19
• Healthcare workers and first responders
• Residents and employees of congregate living facilities
• Essential workers (grocery store, food supply, utility workers and public employees)

The initial target is to conduct 600 to 800 tests per day, five days per week with a goal of reaching 1,200 per day within two weeks. 360 Clinic and the convention center have the capacity to expand volume depending public health recommendations as well as lab and supply capacities.

Orange County residents who have insurance are requested to contact their medical provider first about getting tested prior to registering for an appointment at the Anaheim Convention Center site; and most HMO’s request that members obtain testing through their own provider.

Orange County residents who meet the aforementioned criteria may register online effective immediately. Participants will be asked to provide their contact information along with their health insurance information (if they have it) while selecting their appointment date and time. Once an individual has successfully registered, they will receive a confirmation text or email. They will be required to show this confirmation on the date and time of their registration in order to be tested.

More information about the Anaheim Convention Center testing site process may be found here. 

As of July 15, the Anaheim Convention Center site will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Should Orange County residents have questions, they may contact a 360 Clinic representative at (800) 446-8888. More information about testing, as well as other testing sites across Orange County may be found here. 

This week, the Board of Supervisors approved $10 Million in CARES Act funding received by the County to be allocated for the COVID-Safe Restaurant Program. To that end, Orange County restaurants that prioritize customer safety and worker protections will soon be eligible for a $1,000 grant from the County to help with costs incurred from implementing the State’s guidance for reopening. 

This grant program will help our restaurants that are being impacted by COVID-19 and also serve as an incentive to comply with state and local health guidelines. Restaurants in Orange County with no uncorrected major violations from their last routine health inspection will be eligible for the County grant.

Stay tuned in the coming week for more details on the application and eligibility process!

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) continues to release the daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 28,309 positive cumulative cases and 469 deaths, as well as 682 currently hospitalized with 235 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 Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently launched the COVID-19 Data Dashboard, which uses a GIS mapping software platform to display data charts, graphs and maps. Specific data is available for viewing in both a Desktop Version as well as a Mobile Version by clicking the CDPH Data Monitoring tabs located at the bottom of the page.

Key features of the COVID-19 Data Dashboard include:

1. Utilizes data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for all 33 hospitals in Orange County, including those without emergency departments.

2. Confirmed cases will be reported based on the date of specimen collection to be more in line with the State and help reduce reporting time-lags.

3. Case maps at the city and ZIP code of residence are displayed. By clicking on the city or ZIP code area, a pop up box displays the number, rate, as well as skilled nursing facility (SNF) cases.

4. Deaths are reported and mapped by city and ZIP code of residence. By clicking on the city or ZIP code area, a pop up box displays the total number, as well as the number of SNF deaths.

5. A new tab reporting the CDPH's COVID-19 monitoring metrics has also been added to report the three main metrics: disease transmission, hospitalizations, and hospital/intensive care unit capacity trends.

Please visit the COVID-19 Data Dashboard and select the Desktop Version or the Mobile Version to view additional information on Orange County COVID-19 cases; then click the CDPH Data Monitoring tabs located at the bottom of the webpage to view specific data charts, graphs and maps.

Posing the question - “Could it be COVID?” - the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched a multifaceted community outreach and advertising initiative aimed at the County’s most vulnerable populations – people who can’t get COVID-19 testing from their health care providers or may not have insurance.

Partnering with community health centers that are performing FDA-approved PCR testing, HCA's COVID-19 testing network has now grown to nearly 20 locations throughout Orange County, where people with symptoms can get a FREE PCR test, the most reliable testing available to detect current infection. In addition, four Optum Serve test locations and more than 30 private providers now offer no-cost testing.

Orange County residents can click here or call the HCA Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 to make an appointment at a nearby test site. Next day or same day appointments are available. Testing priority is given to people with symptoms, as well as asymptomatic individuals who are health care workers, first responders, social services employees, or those who are or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.  

Focusing on symptoms of COVID-19 - such as coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell - County ads feature images of people coughing, holding their head, and blowing their nose with the simple premise that you can get the answers you need with FREE COVID-19 testing.

To view our Board of Supervisors Toolkit, click here or below.

Click the image above for more info.

As OC slowly starts to reopen once again, and in an effort to keep the public informed on all issues related to reopening process and COVID-19, the County recently launched Together OC. The site is designed to provide residents and businesses with a one-stop-shop for all COVID-19 related matters.

In addition, the site will be updated frequently and provide the latest information on business sector re-openings, county health orders, unemployment benefits, frequently asked questions, and much more. For more information, please visit Together OC.

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 used by scammers for COVID-19.

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or
friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters.    

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to 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 about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (833) 426-6411, HCA website, or follow HCA on Facebook and Twitter.

Enjoy a FREE live-stream event Friday, July 17 at 6:00 PM on AlertTheGlobe.com. The show, taking place tonight at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, will proudly feature The Who Experience (tribute band).

Summer is finally upon us, and it's high time to get back to nature! MacGillivray Freeman Films, based in Laguna Beach, has the inspiration you need for your next outdoor adventure!

Enjoy this 5-minute film they produced for a series called "America’s Treasures: National Parks" for GoUSA TV. Discover how a camping trip with a U.S. President led to the creation of Yosemite National Park! 

Laguna Playhouse brings you their "Play-at-Home" series, designed to keep you connected to the Playhouse artists you love, and some more fun stuff to pass the time while your at home. For more information, click here.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente is the historic home of Ole Hansen, the founder of the city of San Clemente, Casa Romantica invites you to Live Virtually @ the Casa and enjoy world-class arts and culture in your home with highlighted Casa virtual artists and activities. For more information, click here.

With the City of Laguna Beach officially canceling many summer events due to COVID-19, the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association live-streamed the 2020 Laguna Beach Virtual Fête de la Musique held Saturday, June 20.

For the past several years, my office has been a proud sponsor of the annual Fête de la Musique in Laguna Beach. As such, I invite you to watch their 2020 Virtual Fête. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to watch the Fête again!

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 Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all the Symphony’s offerings online!

Experience great art from celebrated museums around the globe virtually through the magic of tableaux vivants, or living pictures, Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach has launched #TourDePageant, showcasing past Pageant re-creations with real people posing as works of art. This art-stopping online initiative offers a unique look into some of the most famous museums in the world, all from the comfort of your home.

With society practicing social distancing, the arts are needed more now than ever. Festival of Arts hopes this online initiative will enrich, entertain and inspire during this challenging time.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hopes you are well and safe at home. While LAM is temporarily closed, they are working remotely to offer art and inspiration online. We believe art has the power to connect us, and we hope that you will enjoy these new ways to stay connected with Laguna Art Museum,

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.

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites all to visit their Digital Resource Center (DRC) for continued ways to experience, learn, and interact with the Mission through many digital events and video tours. For more information, click here.

If you can’t come to Ocean Institute in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, we want to bring Ocean Institute to you! A variety of topics will be covered, including ocean science, ocean conservation, and maritime history. Lessons include a video resource and an educational activity for you to try at home. For more information, click here.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) recently announced its new Virtual Programs webpage, as OCPL staff worked hard to create some amazing digital content. To that end, OCPL has dozens of virtual programs published on social media (with dozens more in their backlog ready to be published!) and our communities are responding positively to the new way we are providing service.

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

Click the image above for more info.