Dear Community Members,

In the past few days, we have witnessed an exponential growth in the number of individuals affected by COVID-19 throughout our country. As the number of testing continues, we expected this number to go up. However, there are measures we can all take right now to reduce the spread.

Last Thursday, March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling all individuals living in California to stay home or at their place of residency, “except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.” This order is statewide and supersedes the updated County of Orange Public Health Order. You can find the State’s list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” here.  

Since there is currently no vaccine or treatment, it is vital for everyone to take all the precautionary measures necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect our vulnerable population, including our health care workforce. This includes washing your hands regularly, covering your cough or sneeze, avoiding touching your face, and practicing social distancing.

While maintaining our physical distance with others is vital in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, we must also take into consideration our mental wellbeing. During this time, we must stay connected with our friends and loved ones either virtually or via a phone call. And if you or anyone you know is need of mental health support, please refer them to the Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Service Line at 855-OC-LINKS (or 855-625-4657).

During this difficult time, it is also important to make sure you have accurate information and can separate rumors from facts.

For updates on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention website. You can also find up-to-date information at the OC Health Care Agency website or you can call the Health Referral Line at 800-564-8448 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays) for any questions. For helpful links to resources and information on County department closures and other updates, you can visit OC’s First District’s website.

Lastly, I want to thank all of our first responders and healthcare workers for their diligent work, both day and night. And to everyone who is doing their part. Together, we will get through this and demonstrate our capacity, as a community, to surmount every challenge.

Best wishes,

Andrew Do

Supervisor, First District

Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors

Effective immediately, residents can now sign up to receive text message updates related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Orange County, California. Text message updates will be provided daily from the County of Orange Emergency Operations Center during its activation.

To opt-in for this service, text OCCOVID19 to 888777.

In response to COVID-19, Orange County departments have made changes to their hours of operation and services.

Click here for an update on access to County facilities.

In response to COVID-19, I have compiled a list of resources and helpful links that residents can refer to.

Click here for a list of food service locations, school district links, free activities for students, information for small business owners and homeowners, and much more.

Effective Match 17, the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) closed its public assistance offices.

On March 20, SSA announced they expanded its online application services and call center hours to meet the needs of the community affected by the State’s Stay at Home order.

Effective immediately, SSA’s Service Center has extended its hours of operation to:

Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

*Call Center operators will be available to take calls at (800) 281-9799.*

Services will continue to be provided online and by phone as follows:

To apply for Medi-Cal and CalWORKs benefits, review your case information, request a replacement benefits card and submit verifications:

• Visit http://www.mybenefitscalwin.org or call SSA’s Service Center at (800) 281-9799.

To apply for CalFresh benefits, review case information and submit verifications:

• Visit https://www.getcalfresh.org

To apply for General Relief benefits or for continuing case information:

• Visit http://www.mybenefitscalwin.org or call (800) 281-9799 or you can fax an application to (714) 825-3155

To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS Cases:

• Call (714) 825-3000

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: http://ssa.ocgov.com

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ENSURE ALL SENIORS IN THE OC SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD.

1) How can I continue to get food when my senior center is closed? And, since I am supposed to stay at home, can I have food delivered to me?

• Congregate meals that take place at senior centers throughout Orange County will be converted to take-home meals.
• Seniors age 60 and older can pick-up take-home meals from their local senior center.
• Please check with the below-listed organizations for the most up to date information on locations near you.
• If seniors are current clients of the congregate lunch programs at the senior centers and need their food delivered to them instead, they can request this through the same organizations listed below

North/Central County cities:

MEALS ON WHEELS ORANGE COUNTY

714-220-0224  www.mealsonwheelsoc.org  

City of Irvine:

LAKEVIEW SENIOR CENTER

949-724-6900 www.cityofirvine.org   

South County Cities:

AGEWELL SENIOR SERVICES

949-855-8033

www.agewellseniorservices.org

2) What will happen to my home-delivered meals (HDM)?

• HDM will continue without interruption.
• HDM drivers have been trained to maintain a safe distance and will use proper sanitizing practices if frail seniors need assistance with bringing meals inside the home.

Read the full press release here.

The state Department of Education has an app for iPhone and Android devices that allows parents to find nearby schools, community centers and other sites offering free grab-and-go meals while campuses are closed to students.

School districts throughout the State are continuing to provide their complete list of grab-and-go locations. Officials say they hope the app will eventually offer a comprehensive database of meal sites across California.

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. 

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.