HEALTH ALERTS

News and Updates

The response to the coronavirus outbreak is fluid. The City of Lake Forest is taking precautions in accordance with recommendations from the federal, state and county officials.

Latest

1-03-2021 The Covid Clinic is open M, W, F 10AM - 7PM | TUES, THURS 7:30AM - 3:30PM at City Hall for free Covid tests. Appointments only at this time, no longer accepting walk-in appointments. 1-877-219-8378 www.covidclinic.org 

The Covid Clinic is a privately operated company so please issue any questions and concerns via their phone number or website.   

12-15-2021 The California Department of Public Health has issued updated guidance in response to rising cases and hospitalizations statewide due to COVID-19 and to slow the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants. - Read more: https://mailchi.mp/ochca/state-guidance-indoor-masking-5-10115045

10-20-2021 The Covid Clinic is open Monday - Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 8am to 4pm at City Hall for free Covid tests. Appointments and Walk-ins welcome. 1-877-219-8378 www.covidclinic.org 

9-2-2021 The Covid Clinics adjusted hours are now 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday located in front of City Hall.

8-18-2021 Starting August 26, 2021, The Covid Clinic will be open Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm at City Hall for free Covid tests. Appointments and Walk-ins welcome. 1-877-219-8378 www.covidclinic.org

7-30-2021 (Santa Ana, CA) — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its Guidance for Face Coverings, in response to new CDC guidance recommending mask use for public indoor settings to slow the spread of COVID-19 and the delta variant.

 Effective July 28, 2021, masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:

On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)

Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare

Emergency shelters and cooling centers

Healthcare settings

State and local correctional facilities and detention centers

Congregate settings such as homeless shelters

Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities

Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and recommended for fully vaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public). It is important to wear a mask if you are around someone that is high risk, with unvaccinated children or with people whose vaccination status is unknown especially indoors.

 More info here - https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/article/california-updates-mask-guidance-and-health-care-facilities-requirements-response-rising

7-19-2021 Public health officials at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) are encouraging residents to take adequate safety precautions in the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases in the county. Currently, there are no plans to implement a new mask mandate in Orange County; however, those who are not fully vaccinated must continue wearing a mask indoors in accordance with guidelines from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“With the recent reopening of the State's economy, we had expected to see an increase in our COVID-19 cases and positivity rates,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, County Health Officer and Agency Director of the HCA. “The average number of cases increased from 31 to over 100 per day over the last month, and our total testing positivity increased from 0.6% to 2.5%. Hospitalizations also jumped from 54 to 119 patients per day and ICU admissions increased from 13 to 31 patients per day. This means we need to continue being proactive about protecting our loved ones and neighbors and taking the necessary steps to help reduce the risk of infection throughout our county.”

In line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the HCA is reminding individuals to avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, especially those who are not fully vaccinated or who live with others who are unvaccinated or have high health risk of contracting COVID-19. Over 90% of new positive cases are among people who are not fully vaccinated, and over 95% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 had not been fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, all COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States are effective against COVID-19, including serious outcomes like severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Testing also remains a critical component of the County’s strategy to reduce viral transmission. “Testing helps support early detection and prevent the spread of possible variants,” said Dr. Margaret Bredehoft, Deputy Agency Director of HCA Public Health Services. “Self-collection, at-home COVID-19 test kits are available at no cost by visiting www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please seek testing, regardless of your vaccination status.”

6-28-2021 Beginning July 1, OC data will updated once per week on Tuesdays by 5 p.m. Numbers for Lake Forest will be posted once a week as well starting July 1, 2021.

6-24-2021 California Launches New Digital Tool Giving Residents Convenient Access to Their COVID-19 Vaccine Record Click here for more information.

6-15-2021 The City of Lake Forest is moving beyond the blueprint and roaring back! Lake Forest is following the Governor’s guidelines and public health recommendations as it begins to fully reopen Wednesday, June 15.

The moves follow the Governor’s removal of orders put in place since March of 2020, such as the Stay at Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The California Department of Public Health also announced that businesses and nearly all entities may return to “usual operations” with limited exceptions. What does this mean for Lake Forest?

Lake Forest businesses can operate under limited restrictions and open normally. Businesses reserve the right to implement vaccine verification and require masks. Requirements for businesses on physical distancing, capacity limits, and the county-by-county tier system have ended. The new guidelines only relate to masking, mega-events, and settings serving children. 

At the Lake Forest Civic Center: 

• City Hall stayed open for business with modified hours and operations throughout the pandemic, strictly following public health guidelines. 
  1. City Hall is now open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. 
  2. The Building and Planning counter is closed 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 – 6 p.m. Wednesdays. The counter is available during business hours by phone at (949) 461-3470 and email at building@lakeforestca.gov.
• Police Services and the shredding program also reopen July 6, staffed by the Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors (STARS). 
• The Clubhouse set July 6 for its tentative reopening. It opens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July.
  1. New hours coming in August and September.
  2. The Emeritus program will be available starting in September. 
• The Sports Park Recreation Center tentatively opens July 6. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. 
• The Skatepark’s summer hours are from 10 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. daily. Reservations are no longer required

For more information on the new guidelines:

6-7-2021 All County of Orange Super Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites ceased operations as of close of business on June 5th, and the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has shifted its vaccination efforts to an expanding network of robust mobile PODs. Individuals can schedule appointments at mobile PODs by visiting www.Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. 

Please encourage friends and family members to get vaccinated through www.Othena.com or (714) 834-2000. The HCA’s Vaccine Education Toolkit features tips on how to start the conversation, as well as flyers in a variety of languages ready to print and share: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/article/covid-19-education-toolkit

Employers who would like to submit a request for a worksite COVID-19 vaccination mobile clinic for staff may visit https://saferatwork.covid19.ca.gov/employer-vaccination-toolkit/

5-28-21 County will close its Super Point of Dispensing (POD) sites at the Anaheim Convention Center, OC Fair & Event Center, Soka University, and Santa Ana College on June 6 and shift operations to an expanding network of robust mobile PODs

5-18-21 Orange County moves into the Yellow Tier. Click here for more information.

5-17-21 California has released an update on mask guidelines this morning following last week's announcement from the federal Centers for Disease Control.
The state will still require masks to be worn indoors by everyone, even those who are vaccinated, through June 15.
After June 15, the state plans to adopt the CDC guidelines released by the federal government last week that no longer require fully vaccinated people to wear masks in most indoor settings.
Please continue to wear your mask when indoors and outdoors when unable to socially distance from others or at a large event.
Read the current mask guidelines for CA here: Covid19.ca.gov/masks-and-ppe/

4-20-21 The ‘Family’ feature in Othena enables all household members to register and coordinate scheduling their appointments. We strongly encourage all household members to register in Othena to schedule an appointment. Othena.com

3-30-21 Orange County moves into Orange Tier

3-24-21 Free Covid testing available at city hall, Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The kiosk does close at noon for a lunch break. Walk-ins are allowed, but you might have to wait I there is a line. Results are texted or emailed to you within a day or two.

3-15-21  OC GOV Press Release - Orange County Returns to the Red Tier on Sunday, March 14

3-8-21 - The OC Health Care Agency is now scheduling Phase 1B, Tier 1 eligible residents within the Othena.com platform (and Apps). Residents who fall within this group can also check with healthcare providers or local pharmacy for availability of vaccines. The County of Orange is following the State of California’s guidance and framework for fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. See phased approach Here.Click here for information.

2-25-01 - How OC residents can access vaccine other than via Othena.  Vaccine Distribution Channels

2-24-21 -  Youth Sports Update

2-11-21 - Updated FAQ page for Othena vaccine registration - Othena FAQs 

2-2-21 The State of California’s Emergency Services Authority (EMSA), in partnership with the County of Orange’s Orange County (OC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team, has established an Oxygen Depot at the former El Toro Marine base in the City of Irvine.

The Oxygen Depot, which is being staffed by a California Medical Assistance Team (CalMAT), is compromised of a large, deployable system that draws in normal air and separates out the nitrogen, producing an output of concentrated oxygen used to fill tanks to support the needs of local hospital and medical facilities within OC and across the broader Southern California region.

1-25-2021 Officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today ended the Regional Stay at Home Order, lifting the order for all regions statewide, including Southern California. 

1-23-2021 - Soka University in Aliso Viejo on Saturday (1/23) will become Orange County's second regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site.

Named Operation Independence, the County is setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing (POD) sites. Due to the scope and size of these PODs, based on the high demand for vaccine, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs. Since the Disneyland Resort Super POD site opened on January 13, approximately 21,782 vaccines have been distributed to eligible Orange County residents and those working in Orange County.

New Super POD sites will open as the supply of COVID-19 vaccines available in the County increases. The County anticipates the need for at least five Super PODs located throughout the county. Additional Super POD sites will open in a phased approach, ensuring access to all Orange County residents.  

Vaccines dispensed at County Super PODs are currently available for individuals who live and work in Orange County and fall within the State’s Phase 1A, all tiers, including persons age 65 and older. Appointments are available through Othena.com based on vaccine availability. Eligible individuals with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site to receive a vaccine.

If you are interested in getting the Covid 19 vaccine at a POD, please sign up here first. https://othena.com/individuals.php 

When appointments/vaccine becomes available, you will get an email asking additional questions. Answer those and you will receive an appointment time if you meet the current vaccination criteria – 65 and over, front line medical and first responders. Do not show up to a POD without an appointment.

Anyone who received their 1st vaccine dose through the Othena system (starting January 6) will automatically receive their 2nd dose appointment confirmation through Othena.  Everyone who received their 1st dose through their health system, employer, or other group will receive the 2nd dose from the same source.

1-11-2021 - County of Orange Announces First Regional COVID-19 Super POD at Disneyland Resort, January 11, 2021 – In a vital step to help battle the spread of COVID-19, the County of Orange has established the first large Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Read the press release here Click for Link. 

Orange County on the Purple Tier, the state’s most restrictive tier. 

Additionally, certain sector modifications have changed. Visit the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Activity and Business Tier Framework here.

To stay up to date with the current COVID-19 case counts for the county, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc.

The County has set up three hotlines:

• For COVID-19 medical questions, call the Health Referral Line 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. daily at (800) 564-8448.  
• For non-medical questions, such as access to County services or for services for those in need, call the County hotline at (833) 426-6411.
• For business help, call the County Economic and Business Recovery Hotline at (714) 480-6500.

The County has also set up a webpage with coronavirus information and resources: https://covid19info.ocgov.com/ 

The state has a hotline for those over 65 years old impacted by coronavirus. Call 1-833-544-2374:

The City will post updates, advisories and other materials on this page as they become available. Residents are also advised to call the Lake Forest Hotline at 461-3536 for City updates. Additionally, the City asks residents to register for Nixle text alerts by texting LakeForest to 888777 or go to www.nixle.com to register for texts, emails or voice messages.

If you have additional questions, please call the City at 461-3400.To report individuals not following social distancing guidelines in City parks, please call (949) 461-3451.

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