New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

The O.C. Supervisors will discuss COVID-19 on Tuesday at a live-streamed meeting

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Andrew Do, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, CA – Tomorrow, March 31, 2020, Vice Chairman Andrew Do will be hosting a press conference to address the County’s continuous efforts in response to COVID-19, including mental health services, hospital preparedness, mitigation efforts, and County projections. Vice Chairman Do will also provide an update from the Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors that will take place earlier that morning.

Also present to answer questions will be OC Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick, Public Health Services Deputy Agency Director David Souleles, Director of Health Care Agency Richard Sanchez, and County Executive Officer Frank Kim.

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and can be viewed live online here. This press conference will also be lived streamed on Facebook.

The agenda includes updates from County health officials on efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, as well as related matters including testing for the virus, medical supplies and more.

The agenda is available here.

For more news and updates about COVID-19 from the City of Santa Ana, click here.

O.C. mental health resources available for COVID-19

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Mental Health, OC Health Care, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The outbreak of 2019 (COVID-19) has been stressful for many people. It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief and worry about the virus. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

When you share accurate information about COVID-19, you can help make people feel less stressed and allows you to connect with them. Understanding the actual risk to yourself and others can make an outbreak less stressful.

If you or a loved one experiences stressful feelings, you can reach out to the following resources for support:

• Call 1(855) OC-LINKS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to talk or chat with a trained, clinical navigator or visit https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/guidelines#MentalHealth

• The NAMI Warmline is also available to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns from 9 a.m.to 3 a.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday through Sunday at 1(877) 910-WARM or www.namioc.org.

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El brote de 2019 (COVID-19) ha sido estresante para muchas personas. Es natural sentir estrés, ansiedad, dolor y preocupación por el virus. El miedo y la ansiedad por una enfermedad pueden ser abrumadores y causar emociones fuertes en adultos y niños. Hacer frente al estrés harán que usted, las personas que te importan, y su comunidad, sean más fuertes.

Cuando comparte información precisa sobre COVID-19, puede ayudar a que las personas se sientan menos estresadas y le permita conectarse con ellos. Comprender el riesgo real para usted y los demás puede hacer que un brote sea menos estresante.

Si usted o un ser querido están pasando por sentimientos de estrés, puede comunicarse con los siguientes recursos para obtener apoyo:

• Llame al 1(855) OC-LINKS de lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. para hablar o chalar con un navegador clínico capacitado o visita https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/guidelines#MentalHealth

• La Línea NAMI Warmline también está disponible para brindar apoyo, no de crisis, a cualquier persona que tenga problemas de salud mental de 9 a.m.to 3 a.m. de lunes a viernes y de 10 a.m. a 3 a.m. de sábado a domingo al 1(877) 910-WARM o visita www.namioc.org.

The State of California Health Order remains in effect in Orange County

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Public Health Officer ordered all individuals to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. The order also dictated individuals employ social distancing practices by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.

The County of Orange Public Health Order, originally set to expire March 31, 2020, is superseded by the State’s Executive Order until further notice.

Residents of Orange County are required to continue to stay at home except for essential needs. Because transmission is occurring throughout the county, it is important for individuals and businesses to practice social distancing, as directed by the Governor and the State’s Public Health Officer, regardless of the expiration of the County Public Health Order.

State of California Governor Executive order can be found at http://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/19/governor-gavin-newsom-issues-stay-at-home-order/

Frequently asked questions regarding the order can be found on the state website at http://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/

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For questions related to COVID-19, contact the Orange County COVID-19 Hotline at 1(833)426-6411, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

Santa Ana’s COVID-19 cases up to 22 but the County new case rate finally dropped

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The O.C. Health Care Agency reported 22 cases of COVID-19 in Santa Ana, an increase by two, on March 29. The better news is that after two weeks of steady growth in infection rated there were only 28 new cases in Orange County, for a total of 431. So far 4 deaths have also been reported.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel A. Pulido shared a message with the community on Friday after the first city-level numbers were announced, which is available at the link below. The Mayor asks everyone to stay home, not congregate in groups and maintain social distancing.

Mayor’s message in English: www.santa-ana.org/message-mayor-about-covid-19-cases-santa-ana.

Here is how the rest of Orange County is doing:

The City of Anaheim is leading the County with 41 cases
There are 40 cases labeled as “Other”
Irvine has 38 cases
Newport Beach has 37 cases
Buena Park has 14 cases
Costa Mesa has 11 cases
Garden Grove has 8 cases

Is this a blip or are things getting better as more O.C. residents pay heed to social distancing and hand washing suggestions?

Over in L.A. County their Health Department is reporting as of today 2,136 cases and 37 deaths.

As of March 27, 2020, 2 p.m., there are a total of 4,643 positive cases and 101 deaths in California (including one non-California resident), according to the California Department of Public Health. Those figures have not been updated as of today.

The CDC is reporting:

Total cases: 122,653
Total deaths: 2,112

Key points to consider:

If you are showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and work in an essential function – you should self-isolate until you have symptom improvement and fever is gone for at least 72 hours; self-isolation should be at least 7 days.
If you are showing symptoms of illness and are already self-quarantining, try to avoid going outside until you are free of symptoms for 72 hours
If your symptoms get worse instead of better call your doctor
People with mild symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19.
Always dial 911 in an emergency.

O.C. Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich will grant penalty relief for taxpayers as allowed by existing State law

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Shari Freidenrich Leave a comment

SANTA ANA – Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich announces her full support for waiver of penalties, costs or other charges as allowed by existing state law for taxpayers that fail to make a timely payment. The impact of the COVID19 has been financially devastating for many Orange County taxpayers.

The last timely payment date remains at April 10, as neither the County nor the Treasurer-Tax Collector has the legal authority under the statute to change or extend this date. The April 10 date is set by state law, which can only be amended by the legislature.

We understand that the Federal and State governments have granted extensions for both the Federal and State Income Tax deadlines and as noted above, the County has no authority to change state law. If the State were to extend the deadline, it would have a significantly impact on local governments and K-12 School and Community College Districts (Schools) revenues, who have only received just over half of the annual property tax for this year.

In many local governments, property taxes represent one of the largest single annual revenue sources and pay for the public safety and other local government services you receive daily during the year. In addition, Schools are the largest recipient of property taxes here in Orange County (Where Your Property Tax Goes). For Secured property taxes, the bills are mailed in September and have a due date of November 1 and February 1 (with grace periods to December 10 and April 10, respectively), just two payments in a year. These local agencies would bear the brunt of any delay in the receipt of these vitally important property taxes that they need to provide local services.

“COVID-19, and the State’s order for all non-essential businesses to close, has had a significant impact on our taxpayers” Treasurer Freidenrich said. “I plan to grant waivers on penalties to taxpayers as allowed by existing law to assist them during these challenging times.”

For taxpayers that do not make payment of property taxes due to COVID-19 by April 10, we expect them to submit a Penalty Cancellation Request Form and documentation to support the cancellation of penalties as allowed in limited circumstances under current state law. The existing state law, which Treasurer Freidenrich will follow, allows for waiver of penalties, costs and other charges when failure to make a timely payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care in the absence of willful neglect.

In closing, we appreciate those taxpayers that can pay by the April 10 date as these dollars will be allocated in April to the local agencies that provide day-to-day services to taxpayers. We appreciate your assistance during this very challenging time for all of us in the County of Orange. Please email us at ttcinfo@ttc.ocgov.com if you have property tax payment questions, sign up for our property tax information subscription list at ocgov.com/octaxreminder by text or email and “Stay Home and Pay Online” at ocgov.com/octaxbill. Please stay safe.

Santa Ana’s COVID-19 cases jumped to 20 today

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The O.C. Health Care Agency is now reporting 403 cases of COVID-19 in Orange County. Here in Santa Ana the cases jumped from 13 yesterday to 20 today.

Cases in Anaheim similarly jumped from 28 to 37. There are 36 cases in Irvine.

The CDC is reporting 103,321 total COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Jurisdictions reporting cases: 54 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands).

Mayor Miguel Pulido speaks out about the 13 COVID-19 cases in Santa Ana

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, Miguel Pulido, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido issued a formal press release today regarding the latest COVID-19 case numbers provided by the O.C. Health Care Agency, which now show that Santa Ana has 13 cases.

Here is Pulido’s message:

To the People of Santa Ana,

Today the OC Health Care Agency for the first time released the number of COVID-19 cases for each individual city in Orange County. OC Health reported 13 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Santa Ana, out of 321 cases countywide.

The fact that COVID-19 is in Santa Ana should not come as a surprise. We have seen the number of confirmed cases countywide rise rapidly over the past two weeks as the virus has spread across the United States and around the world. Nor should this news be a cause for panic or a reason to think that those living in Santa Ana are at greater risk of contracting the disease than they were before.

OC Health emphasized that the data released today reflects where those diagnosed with COVID-19 live but does not necessarily reflect where transmission occurred. They also said the city-level numbers shouldn’t be seen as an indication of where the disease is geographically centered.

There are still many unknowns, of course. The case counts don’t necessarily mean these are the only people with the disease in each city, because OC Health prioritizes testing for those at greatest risk or who are most sick.

So what does this all mean?

For one, knowing exactly how many confirmed cases are in Santa Ana helps us all stay informed about the impact this global pandemic is having on members of our own community. I hope this news will encourage everyone to recognize that COVID-19 is a real threat and that we must take the guidance of our health officials seriously.

I know you are all making great sacrifices during this unprecedented crisis – including jobs and income, important activities, education and simply your own personal sense of freedom and well-being. Yet we all must change our habits if we are going to overcome this together.

Thoroughly wash and sanitize your hands regularly, especially before eating and after touching surfaces in public places. Sanitize and clean your home and anything you bring into it. Stay home as much as possible and don’t go to work unless you are in an essential industry or government agency. Non-essential businesses are required to close under the Governor’s executive order, and restaurants can only serve food for take-out or delivery.

Importantly, don’t congregate in groups, keep a 6-foot distance from others and don’t shake hands or make personal contact. It is essential to heed this advice in order to safeguard you and your loved ones, particularly the elderly and others who are at greater risk of serious illness.

The City Council this month declared a local emergency in order to implement numerous measures to protect public health, following the mandates and guidance of State and County health officials. We have closed municipal buildings and many outdoor facilities such as skate parks, and we are urging everyone to follow the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Some City employees have been sent home, but many are still working to provide essential services to our constituents, including police and fire services, road repairs, street sweeping, trash collection and graffiti removal.

The City Council also has taken steps to shield our residents and businesses from the economic impacts of the pandemic as much as possible.

We waived street sweeping tickets so that those who are following the stay-at-home order won’t be cited if they don’t move their cars during sweeping hours. That ticket suspension has been extended through April 30. We’ve also waived late fees on City-provided services and stopped all shut-offs for City-provided utilities.

Additionally, we enacted a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures during the state of emergency so that no one will be forced from their home or business during this crisis. We’re also allowing businesses to pay their business license annual tax that’s due this month later without additional penalties or interest.

To help the people of Santa Ana stay afloat and eventually get back on their feet, we’ve been working diligently to educate the public about all of these measures and the supportive resources available to them locally and at the County, State and Federal levels. For example, the Santa Ana WORK Center is an important City and multi-agency resource that provides guidance for those who need to file for unemployment, find work or seek other career support.

The countywide and city-level data is available on the OC Health Care website at www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus. OC Health said the total case counts and city counts will be updated every afternoon.

You can find information about the latest COVID-19 news, City services and links to resources on our website at www.santa-ana.org/covid19. There you will also find videos from me providing regular updates about COVID-19.

To receive regular news updates and urgent alerts, sign up for the Nixle.com alert service and follow City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Police Department.

Join Nextdoor.com to connect with your neighborhood and community and to receive announcements from the City.

Thank you and please stay home and stay safe. We will overcome this challenge together.

Respectfully,

Miguel A. Pulido
Mayor

13 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Santa Ana

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Orange County Health Care Agency has finally confirmed, as of this afternoon, the number of COVID-19 cases on a city-by-city basis here in Orange County. We have 13 cases confirmed in Santa Ana.

The new COVID-19 charts show that the case count has been doubling about every four days. We are now currently at 321 cases. Two weeks ago, on March 13, we were at six cases.

O.C. cities leading in COVID-19 cases include:

Unknown – 34 cases
Irvine – 33 cases
Newport Beach – 32 cases
Anaheim – 28 cases
Other – 27 cases
Huntington Beach – 26 cases
Orange – 11 cases
Costa Mesa – 8 cases

There have been three COVID-19 deaths in Orange County so far. Two of those were just reported today!

For information and updates about COVID-19 from the City of Santa Ana, visit www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

The O.C. Health Care Agency warns about use of non-FDA approved COVID-19 tests

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Federal Government, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick today warned residents against the use of testing kits that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnosis of COVID-19.

“These non-approved tests can produce false results and lead to unintended negative consequences for the individual and the broader community,” said Dr. Quick. “For example, a false negative result from a non-approved testing kit may lead an individual who in fact has COVID-19 to think they are healthy and not capable of spreading the virus. We want to ensure our community members are getting accurate information about their health, and accurate information drives appropriate medical care.”

The most accurate, FDA-approved testing available to-date is polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR testing. PCR can detect small amounts of the virus in a specimen from a patient. This is the test used by the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Public Health Laboratory and by commercial labs reporting to the HCA.

There are currently no FDA-approved COVID-19 serology tests available in the United States. Serology testing may detect if an individual’s body is starting to develop antibodies against a particular virus.

Orange County residents should understand that:

· There is currently no Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on how to interpret or take public health action in response to a positive or negative COVID-19 serology result.

· Any company that claims FDA approval or authorization for a serology test is misleading the public.

· No COVID-19 serology test kits have been reviewed by the FDA or received Emergency Use Authorization.

For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

There are now 256 COVID-19 cases in Orange County

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The O.C. Health Care Agency is reporting that we are up to 256 COVID-19 cases now in Orange County. Reportedly they are finally going to reveal the cases on a city-by-city basis on Friday.

A whopping 140 cases are in the 18 to 49 age group followed by 76 cases in the 50 to 64 age group.

The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 3,605. HCA PHL has kits available to test 1,239 specimens.

As of March 25, 2020, 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, there are a total of 3,006 positive cases and 65 deaths in California (including one non-California resident), according to the California Department of Public Health.

826: Community-acquired cases
2,120: Cases acquired through person-to-person transmission, travel (including cruise ship passengers), repatriation, or under investigation.
- This includes 42 health care workers

Ages of all confirmed positive cases:

Age 0-17: 37 cases
Age 18-49: 1,505 cases
Age 50-64: 764 cases
Age 65 and older: 678 cases
Unknown: 22 cases

Gender of all confirmed positive cases:

Female: 1,309 cases
Male: 1,665 cases
Unknown: 32 cases

What should you do if you think you’re sick?

Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Typically, human coronaviruses cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illness. Symptoms are very similar to the flu, including:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

COVID-19 can cause more severe respiratory illness.

What if I have symptoms?

Patient: If a person develops symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, and has reason to believe they may have been exposed, they should call their health care provider before seeking care. Contacting them in advance will make sure that people can get the care they need without putting others at risk. Please be sure to tell your health care provider about your travel history. You can also take the following precautionary measures: avoid contact with sick individuals, wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

How can people protect themselves?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). This occurs through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:

Washing hands with soap and water.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
If you smoke or vape, consider quitting. Smokers who already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity could be at increased risk of serious illness.
Following guidance from public health officials.

Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

What if I don’t have health insurance and I need screening or treatment for COVID⁠-⁠19?

Check with your local community health center or hospital to see if fees for testing can be waived
See if you’re eligible for Medi-Cal
See if you’re eligible for Covered California

O.C. mental health resources to help with the COVID-19 crisis

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, Mental Health, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

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.

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 OC Health Care Agency website, www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

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 their website, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.

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 and incorporate preventative measures

– See the CDC’s list of preventative measures

– A near-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 reach out to these resources for support:

Call 1(855) OC-LINKS or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks 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. 1(877) 910-WARM or 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 (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

The County of Orange is reviewing property tax payments delayed by COVID-19

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Michelle Steel, Orange County, Shari Freidenrich, Taxes Leave a comment

Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors worked together with Treasurer-Tax Collector, Shari Freidenrich to review late penalties and fees for property owners in Orange County. This individual review would be for reasons related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Property owners will be able to submit a request for penalty cancellation online if they unable to pay property taxes by the April 10th deadline.

“This property tax penalty review would give our Orange County property owners the safety net they need if they have been effected by circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak,” said Chairwoman Steel. “In this time of great stress and uncertainty, it is important that we provide as much support as we can to protect the livelihoods of our residents. This tax penalty review offers that support.”

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First elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2014, Michelle Steel represents the residents of the Second District, which includes, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley. Steel, a successful businesswoman and renowned taxpayer advocate, previously served as Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization where she represented more than eight million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County, as one of the state’s 12 constitutional officers.

The O.C. Social Services Agency warns about COVID-19 scammers

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Disease, Emergencies, Fraud, Orange County, Orange County Social Services Agency, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. (March 25, 2020) – The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is warning residents to be on the lookout for potential scammers using the COVID-19 situation in order to obtain confidential client information.

The California Department of Social Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services have received reports of a potential scam targeting CalFresh food assistance program recipients. While many organizations are seeking to help communities respond to COVID-19, clients should exercise caution if asked to share confidential information.

Clients have been asked by scammers to provide personal information, including their EBT card number and PIN, Social Security number and date of birth. Please be advised this may be an attempt to gather information which may be used to withdraw funds from recipient accounts.

Clients are advised NOT to give out their personal information. Please remember that SSA will never ask for your personal information in a text message or via email.

If you are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, please contact the SSA call center to confirm the request at (800) 281-9799 or contact your assigned case worker if you have one.

If you have called the phone number associated with a request for personal information or responded to a text or email request and have provided personal information, it is recommended that you file a report with your local police department.

Orange County Jail inmate tests positive for COVID-19

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Disease, Emergencies, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (March 24, 2020): An inmate in Orange County Jail has tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate, a man in his 40s, was booked into the Orange County Jail on June 17, 2018 on suspicion of child endangerment, torture, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon.

The inmate was recently isolated for flu-like symptoms, and was administered a test for COVID-19. The positive test results were returned today. The inmate remains in isolation receiving medical treatment with moderate symptoms, and at this time does not require hospitalization.

Prior to exhibiting symptoms, the inmate was housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana in barracks housing. The Orange County Jail employs an electronic card system inside the facility, which will enable the Department to identify all inmates and staff who have had contact with the inmate to notify them of the potential exposure.

Inmates who have potentially been exposed will be closely monitored for symptoms and their movement inside the jail will be restricted for up to 14 days. If an inmate begins to exhibit symptoms, the Department will follow the Communicable Disease protocol and the inmate will be isolated. The OC Health Care Agency’s Correctional Health Services staff will provide appropriate medical care and testing.

“We have been proactive in implementing containment strategies, and now will be activating our Communicable Disease protocol to safeguard the inmates and staff at the Orange County Jail,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.

To date, twelve inmates have been isolated due to flu-like symptoms, and eight have had negative COVID-19 or flu test results. The remaining three inmates are isolated pending test results.

The Sheriff’s Department is requiring enhanced medical screening for all inmates, law enforcement, and staff entering the Orange County Jail, including temperature screening prior to entering any OC Jail facility. The Orange County Jail population has steadily declined over the last ten days.

Orange County to close parking lots at beaches and parks due to COVID-19

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Beaches, Disease, Emergencies, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety Leave a comment

Today, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, in order to maintain consistency with coastal cities, directed staff to close parking lots at County beaches and parks, while ensuring access for restaurants and beachfront businesses. The OC Parks Service confirmed that they were planning on having the parking lots closed by daylight on the morning of Wednesday, March 25th. The direction was provided during an update on COVID-19 at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

“We want our residents to go out and enjoy the fresh air, and therefore our county beaches and parks will not be closed,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel. “In order to limit the number of crowds gathering at beaches and public parks in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the county has directed the closure of all parking lots for beaches and parks. This action will act as a deterrent against large groups congregating. While enjoying ourselves at our beaches and parks we should also remember to be practicing social distancing in order to reduce the risk of exposure to this virus,” added Chairwoman Steel.