COVID-19 Update
Information compiled from the websites of US Representative Ted Lieu and LA Councilman Paul Koretz
Last week, the House passed the American Rescue Plan to provide much-needed relief to American families struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The landmark legislation will put vaccines in arms, help schools safely reopen, provide direct assistance to American households, and support small businesses hit hardest by this crisis.
President Biden recently announced the U.S. will have enough vaccine supply for all adults by the end of May 2021. Additionally, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, expanding the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. This is great news, and a signal of hope for the future.
Although there is light at the end of the tunnel, we must not let our guard down in the fight against COVID-19. The virus remains highly contagious, and the health of our community depends on the actions of individuals like you. Please continue to wash your hands frequently; engage in social distancing; and wear a mask in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UPDATE
What phase are we in?
In addition to health care workers; staff and residents at long-term care and skilled nursing facilities; and residents 65 and older, LA County is currently vaccinating workers in:
If you are eligible, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com to book an appointment. Residents with disabilities or without access to a computer can call 833-540-0473 between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM 7 days a week for assistance making an appointment. When you go to your appointment, please bring with you a photo ID, proof that you live or work in LA County, and proof that you are in one of the eligible groups. Face masks must be worn at vaccination sites.
If you already received your first dose and need information about how to receive your second one, please click here.
Where can I learn more about the vaccine?
To answer LA County residents’ questions about the vaccine, the LA County Department of Public Health held a virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall. A group of doctors and health officials discussed LA County vaccine distribution, what you need to bring with you when you go to receive the vaccine, and more. To watch the entire town hall, please click here. For more information about the vaccine, please view this resource from the CDC.
STATE AND LOCAL COVID-19 UPDATES
From the State
This week, Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced an agreement on a $6.6 billion budget package to help California schools that safely return to optional in-person instruction by March 31st.
To continue the effort to provide relief to small businesses, California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate announced four new rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The dates for the new rounds are:
March 5-11
March 16-March 23
March 25-March 31
Fourth round dates coming soon
For more details, please visit CAreliefgrant.com.
From LA County
To help educators and teachers become vaccinated, the Los Angeles Unified School District opened a large-scale vaccination site for all LA Unified teachers and staff at SoFi Stadium. Vaccinating school staff is essential to reopening school campuses safely.
No one should be forced out of their home due to unforeseen circumstances caused by COVID-19. I’m pleased the LA County Board of Supervisors recently voted to extend the countywide Eviction Moratorium through June 30, 2021. Under the Moratorium, no LA County resident can be evicted if they are unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19. If you have questions, please contact the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (833) 223-RENT (7368) or email rent@dcba.lacounty.gov. For more information about the Moratorium extension, please click here.
TESTING
All LA County residents who would like to get tested for COVID-19 should first contact their Primary Care Provider to see if they offer tests. If you cannot access a test through your health care provider, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing to sign up for a no-cost COVID-19 test. Testing is recommended for those who:
Have symptoms related to COVID-19.
Were asked to get tested by LA Public Health because of a contact tracing investigation.
Were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
Work or live in a skilled nursing facility; group home; residential care facility; homeless shelter; or correctional facility.
Are experiencing homelessness.
Are essential workers with frequent contact with the public.
Don’t have symptoms but believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
If you live in the City of LA and are unable to drive to a testing site, you can receive a free COVID-19 test at a mobile pop-up location (no appointment necessary). Please click here to view current and upcoming pop-up testing sites.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Need health coverage? Enroll now! Due to COVID-19, Covered California opened a special enrollment window to allow eligible Californians to sign up for quality, affordable health care coverage through May 15th. To get started, visit coveredca.com/apply.
For updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and LA County, please go to update.covid19.ca.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov.
Sign up to get notified when it’s your turn to receive the vaccine.
CDC’s guidance for coping with stress and anxiety during a pandemic.
If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741.
Opt-in to receive notifications if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org.
Veterans who are enrolled in and eligible for VA health care can receive personalized vaccine information here.
Get your flu shot to stay healthy this season.
Learn about vaccine misinformation and how to avoid vaccine scams.
How COVID-19 vaccines work (CDC).
Tips for after you receive the vaccine.
With President Biden’s announcement about vaccine availability and COVID-19 trends in an encouraging place, we are hopeful we will get to the other side of this crisis together. However, we must keep up the hard work in the fight against COVID-19. Please continue to do your part and wear a mask in public; engage in physical distancing; and wash your hands frequently to keep yourself and those around you safe.