To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Barbie Robinson, 565-7876
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
COVID-19 Emergency Response Strategy Update
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive a staff update on current COVID-19 response and enhanced COVID-19 strategy efforts.
end
Executive Summary:
This item provides the Board with an update of the Department’s COVID-19 Response efforts, including the enhanced COVID-19 strategies approved by your Board on October 20, 2020. A PowerPoint presentation will be provided to the Board. The Department will continue to monitor the level of response needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic and will return on December 15, 2020 to request additional appropriations that will be commensurate with the level of response needed based on conditions existing at that time.
Discussion:
On July 27, 2020, during Budget Workshops, the Director of Health Services presented to your Board an overview of a plan to allow for a sustainable response through June 30, 2021 to continue the County’s COVID-19 Response efforts. On September 1, 2020, a request for appropriations and a proposed plan for replacing the Health Department Operations Center (DOC) with a temporary Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 Section within the Public Health Division was approved. This item provides the Board with an update of the Department’s COVID-19 Response efforts, including the enhanced COVID-19 strategies approved by your Board on October 20, 2020. A PowerPoint presentation will be provided to the Board.
The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on November 17, 2020, that COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, with the recent upward trajectory largely driven by increased incidence in Europe, and the Americas. The number of new deaths globally has also grown by 11%, with almost 60,000 new deaths reported, of which 81% were in Europe and the Americas. As of November 22, 2020, the CDC confirmed and presumptive positive U.S. cases of COVID-19 have reached 12,028,081 across 50 states and territories with 255,076 deaths reported. The State of California and Sonoma County also continue to struggle. Sonoma County in particular remains at the Tier 1 risk level with widespread community transmission taking place.
As of November 28, 2020, Sonoma County had a testing positivity rate of 4.2% and 10.2 new cases per 100,000 per day. Residents who live in neighborhoods that make up the lowest 25% Healthy Places Index (HPI) continue to be disproportionately impacted. Therefore, the County has been focusing on these populations with targeted outreach and financial assistance.
With a goal of minimizing the impacts and spread of COVID-19, decreasing severe illness, and preventing deaths among the entire community, the County’s COVID-19 Emergency Response is strategically prioritizing communities with the greatest needs, using race/ethnicity disparity research, community voice and wisdom, and public health best practices to guide this work. It is critical that DHS’s core COVID-19 response programs continue as the pandemic, with current and anticipated future surges, will require an extended and adaptive emergency response. While there is promising news regarding a vaccine becoming available soon, it will take time to disseminate to the wider population in the County especially with likely limited quantities being available during the first phase of vaccine distribution.
DHS will continue to monitor the level of response needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic and will return on December 15, 2020 to request additional appropriations that will be commensurate with the level of response needed based on conditions existing at that time. DHS will continue to refine its COVID-19 Response plan and Enhanced COVID-19 Strategies based on efficacy and finite resources. Additional resources will be needed to support community-based partners prior to and after December 31, 2020 as that is when current funding for the program subsides. DHS will return on December 15, 2020 with our plan which includes the consent item to approve the funding appropriations through March 2021.
Prior Board Actions:
On October 20, 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Director of Health Services, or designee, to execute the Enhanced COVID-19 Response Strategies and to execute agreements, and to obtain necessary resources, services, supplies, equipment, and such other properties to be lacking or needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the county for the fair value thereof not to exceed the appropriations authorized by the Board in this item. The Board of Supervisors also approved redirecting within fiscal year 2020-2021 $4 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act assigned to COVID-19 response activities led by the Department of Health Services to finance the initial phase of Enhanced COVID-19 Response Strategies.
On September 1, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved the Department of Health Services COVID-19 Emergency Plan allowing for the continuation of the COVID-19 Response plan and authorizing the Director of Health Services to obtain necessary resources, services, supplies, equipment and for the temporary COVID-19 Unit to be established.
On July 27, 2020, during Budget Workshops, the Board approved a plan to allow for a sustainable COVID-19 response through June 30, 2021 to continue the County’s COVID-19 Response efforts.
Fiscal Summary
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
DHS will continue to monitor the level of response needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic and will return on December 15, 2020 to request additional appropriations that will be commensurate with the level of response needed based on conditions existing at that time. DHS will continue to refine its COVID-19 Response plan and Enhanced COVID-19 Strategies based on efficacy and finite resources. Additional resources will be needed to support community-based partners prior to and after December 31, 2020 as that is when current funding for the program subsides. DHS will return on December 15, 2020 with our plan which includes the consent item to approve the funding appropriations through 3/31/2021.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None