Orange County is taking decisive action to prepare for the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the Board unanimously approved an emergency declaration to ensure our county is prepared to deal with any possible infection or outbreak.

The Board also approved my proposal with Chairwoman Michelle Steel to adopt an emergency training and resource program for frontline healthcare workers and first responders to better prepare Orange County to respond to COVID-19.

We want to prepare and act quickly to keep our community safe. That will help us avoid mistakes and delays, experienced by other jurisdictions in the worldwide response to coronavirus.

To stay updated on the latest news regarding novel coronavirus, please visit Orange County Health Care Agency’s website: www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

BELOW IS AN UPDATED TIMELINE OF EVENTS:

February 24, 2020

• OC Health Care Agency issued a statement of support for the City of Costa Mesa’s legal action to temporarily halt a plan by state and federal agencies to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a coronavirus quarantine location.
• OC Board of Supervisors’ Chair, Michelle Steel, and I filed an amicus brief in support of Costa Mesa’s action.

February 25, 2020

• OC Board of Supervisors unanimously directed County Counsel to file an amicus brief in support of Costa Mesa’s action.

February 26, 2020

• The county and County Health Officer, Dr. Nichole Quick, declared a Local Health Emergency in accordance with state law to enhance the county’s ability to prepare for and respond to the potential for coronavirus cases in Orange County.

February 28, 2020

• Chairwoman Steel and I requested a special Board meeting for March 2nd to call for an emergency training and resource program for frontline healthcare workers and first responders to better prepare Orange County to respond to the coronavirus and avoid mistakes and delays, experienced by other jurisdictions in the worldwide response to coronavirus.
• The federal government stated they would no longer pursue a plan to send coronavirus patients to the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.

February 29, 2020

• OC Health Care Agency announced they are now able to test individuals for coronavirus who meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria at their Public Health Laboratory. The testing is arranged with an individual’s health care provider and/or hospital. Walk-ups to the lab will not be accommodated.

March 2, 2020

• During the Special Meeting, the Board unanimously adopted resolutions ratifying the declaration of local health emergency and proclamation of local emergency related to the coronavirus
• The Board directed County CEO to mobilize Health Care Agency to ensure all relevant County employees and first responders are equipped with proper training and equipment to identify first signs and symptoms of the coronavirus and execute proper response, testing, tracking, and treatment protocols
• The Board also directed the John Wayne Airport Director to increase measures to reduce the likelihood of spreading of the coronavirus

Orange County’s emergency notification system is AlertOC.

AlertOC allows you to register multiple locations to receive alerts for your home, child’s school, workplace, and more. If an emergency situation occurs in any of these locations, you will receive a notification, even if you aren’t currently there.

Signing up for Alert OC takes just a few minutes online at www.AlertOC.org. Your information is completely private.

The County of Orange proclaims the week of March 1-7 as National Consumer Protection Week.

OC Treasurer, Shari L. Freidenrich, is leading the county’s efforts to educate consumers about available resources to help them better protect their personal and financial information.

Find out more about it by visiting the OC Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website.

The Be Well OC Coalition is in full gear working tirelessly on fulfilling its vision: “Be Well OC will lead the nation in optimal mental health and wellness for all residents.”

The Coalition’s work goes on as construction continues on the first Be Well OC campus, located at 265 S. Anita Drive in the City of Orange.

The Be Well OC program has already drawn interest from many locations including the San Gabriel Valley, Alaska, Texas, New Mexico and from northern California.

Next time you’re at John Wayne Airport, check out their new AirPAWS Therapy Dog Program!

The OC Board of Supervisors initiated the program with John Wayne Airport and OC Animal Allies to bring therapy dogs to the airport to provide both physical and mental health benefits. Approximately 60 airports in the country have a similar program.

Orange County is seeking volunteers for the OC Children and Families Commission.

To qualify for the First 5 Orange County Board of Directors, candidates must be Orange County residents with relevant expertise in one of the following two categories:

• Education and early intervention, such as teachers, educators, and other representatives of schools.
• Healthy children and early intervention, such as nurses, doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals.

Visit First 5 Orange County’s website for more information on the commission and to view the application. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 PM this Friday, March 6, 2020.