Amid an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations statewide, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon today announced the Legislature will delay its return to Sacramento by one week. Originally set to begin the legislative session on January 4, 2021, the Legislature will now convene in Sacramento on January 11,…
Read More »This week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a new public awareness campaign entitled “Mothers,” featuring real California mothers urging residents to stay at home this holiday season. The mothers featured in the campaign advocate that the best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home, wear a mask, wash your…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-84-20addressing an array of issues in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order extends the availability of housing for migrant agricultural workers, provides a 90-day extension on tax returns and tax payments for small businesses. Notably, the order updates Cal/OSHA requirements related to quarantine guidelines to…
Read More »Late today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized reimbursement for non-congregate shelter, including for Project Roomkey, through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The state will now no longer be required to submit requests every 30 days to reauthorize reimbursement for providing non-congregate shelter to residents….
Read More »The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is widely anticipated to issue its first emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at any point in the coming days. Yesterday, during a day-long meeting, the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) deliberated the safety and efficacy of the vaccine candidate, ultimately…
Read More »On Monday, President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris announced their selections to lead their health and human services team, including response efforts to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The following were named to posts in the incoming federal administration: Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was…
Read More »The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) this week issued guidance to local health departments (LHDs) detailing COVID-19 workplace outbreak reporting requirements mandated by AB 685 (Chapter 84, Statutes of 2020). Under the new law set to take effect on January 1, 2021, employers must notify employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and…
Read More »Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a health alert, highlighting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on individuals with chronic health conditions. According to national surveillance data, COVID-19 can lead to severe outcomes in adults with underlying chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. Local health departments are…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the statewide expansion of CA Notify, the state’s digital tool to assist in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Starting yesterday, December 10, California residents can opt-in to receive COVID-19 notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. CA Notify was developed…
Read More »On Thursday, the State of California announced a regional stay-at-home order in light of alarming rises in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations throughout the state. The order, issued by Acting State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, requires additional sector restrictions in a region when intensive care unit (ICU) capacity among hospitals in that region…
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