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| Last night’s comprehensive update from League of California Cities:
Good evening East Bay Mayors, Council Members & City Management:
Today, the Governor issued an executive order on state prisons and juvenile facilities (see below). The Governor did indicate to expect actions tomorrow potentially related to evictions so we will provide an update when we have more information. Attached, you will find briefing notes from the Governor’s update this evening, our local government briefing earlier today, and CalOES daily briefing.
With CalPERS, the League continues to be in active communication with CalPERS staff regarding the needs of cities and the status of the fund. This afternoon, CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost released a communication (see attached) directed at stakeholders highlighting its approach during our current circumstances. Of note, CEO Frost discussed that her team is actively posting updates of their operations to their website, the CalPERS call centers continue to be open to answer questions, and all costs and fees for COVID-19 testing are waived for CalPERS health members. Regarding investments, CEO Frost described how CalPERS is in a much better position than in 2008; a healthy liquidity positon, diverse portfolio and asset allocation are allowing CalPERS to meet their obligations while allowing them to capitalize on investment opportunities. I encourage you to review the memo as there is information about an upcoming webinar and other information that may be of interest.
On the federal side, we appreciate your continued efforts to advocate your federal representatives on the newest proposed stimulus package.
Governor Actions
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order on State Prisons and Juvenile Facilities in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Directs the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary to temporarily halt the intake and/or transfer of inmates and youth into the state’s 35 prisons and four youth correctional facilities. Additionally, the executive order directs the Board of Parole Hearings to develop a process to conduct all scheduled parole suitability hearings through videoconferencing starting no later than April 13, 2020, and for the next 60 days. That process would facilitate remote participation of those typically in attendance, including staff, parole board members, victims, families and their representatives, inmates, attorneys, and others.
Other State Actions
· California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye yesterday issued a statewide order suspending all jury trials in California's superior courts for 60 days and allowing courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her order includes the following directives:
- All jury trials are suspended and continued for 60 days. Courts may conduct a trial at an earlier date upon finding of good cause shown or through use of remote technology when appropriate.
- Time periods to begin criminal and civil trials is extended for 60 days, though courts may conduct trials earlier upon finding of good cause or through remote technology when appropriate.
Superior courts are authorized to adopt any proposed rules or rule amendment that is intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to take effect immediately, without advance circulation for 45 days of public comment. A court adopting any such rule change must immediately distribute the new or amended rule, and no litigant’s substantive rights shall be prejudiced for failing to comply with the requirements of a new or amended rule until at least 20 days after the rule change has been distributed.
Federal Actions (Courtesy of NLC)
On Capitol Hill, discussions between the two leaders-McConnell and Schumer-continue on. Earlier today, Schumer said the negotiations were on the two-yard line.
Today, NLC sent a letter to Capitol Hill outlining its four asks for the third stimulus package. The letter is attached to this email. We also sent a member alert to take action in calling both Senate and House offices, which we thank you for contacting your representatives today.
NLC continues to monitor the situation closely and will be providing members updates as they happen.
In case you missed it, NLC and Bloomberg Philanthropies combined forces to collect and share actions taken by local leaders in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Visit the tracker here: www.nlc.org/program-initiative/....
Check out NLC.org for other COVID-19 resources.
Sam Caygill
Regional Public Affairs Manager | East Bay Division
League of California Cities
p. 916-402-7258 | e. scaygill@cacities.org
Strengthening California Cities
Through Education & Advocacy
Notes from Governor’s Address to Californians – March 24, 2020, 5:30pm
** Information transcribed and truncated for audience;
notes may not fully capture all information provided **
Governor Gavin Newsom:
- USNS Mercy navy hospital ship is in route to the Port of Los Angeles;
- Will be ready to receive people by this weekend;
- 1,100 crew on the ship; and
- Working on a process to "decompress" the rest of the hospital system to see which patients need to go on the ship.
- Advanced a number of actions today;
- Signed an executive order on corrections today;
- Changed the procedures and protocols to protect staff and inmates;
- Going to restrict the intake system;
- Don't want to mix prison populations and spread the disease;
- Changing the procedures and protocols to do video conferences for people wanting to go on parole; and
- This order takes effect immediately.
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Want to make sure the Army Corps can help make facilities ready to receive patients; and
- Partnering with state agencies.
- Sir Richard Branson of Virgin is partnering with the state;
- Bringing a 747 into the Bay Area to provide personal protective gear from Asia.
- Tragic loss of life for a teenager in Lancaster, California;
- Investigating what happened, but it was COVID-19 related.
- Have lost 40 lives so far in California;
- 17% increase from recent days.
- Young people can and will be impacted by this virus;
- 50% of the individuals tested, are between the ages of18-49; and
- This disease impacts everyone.
- Working with other governors and states to coordinate procurement of supplies;
- Testing has significantly increased in California;
- Will layout new testing numbers tomorrow;
- Will have a new process for collecting testing results from various different entities; and
- Need to address the time it takes to process testing as well.
- Ventilators;
- Elon Musk donated over 1,000 ventilators yesterday;
- 514 ventilators are being refurbished from state stockpiles; and
- State has not receive any ventilators from federal government or strategic stockpile.
- Supply chains;
- Food and grocery supply chains remain strong;
- Working with grocers and agriculture community on this;
- Supply chains are changing in real time; and
- Currently there are 10,000 jobs available with grocers.
- Made some real shifts on staffing for processing unemployment claims to help meet the demand in claims.
Questions and Answers
- Will California open in April?
Based upon the curve, we have a lot more to do. We need to bend the curve, but we haven't bent it yet. It would be misleading to say we will be open in early April. The next 6-8 weeks will be determinative. April would be sooner than any of experts he talked to would recommend to “open” California.
- Should we be hoarding toilet paper? Are supplies low?
Get what you need, not any more. No reason to hoard. Grocers have committed to having enough toilet paper.
- What is the percentage rate of infection to recovery in California?
Statistics on this are coming soon.
- Where can I see if I am considered an essential worker?
Go to the states' COVID-19 website for more information. Also go to your county health department for more information.
Coronavirus Briefing by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)
and Department of Public Health (CDPH) for Local Elected Officials
Tuesday, March 24 at 4:00pm
** Information transcribed and truncated for audience;
notes may not fully capture all information provided **
Call Overview:
CalOES and CDPH held a call for local elected officials to give brief updates and take questions.
Dr. Gilberto Chavez, CDPH
- The best way for Californian's to stay healthy is through common sense measures;
- The state has a new COVID-19 "one stop shop" website;
- Current Statistics for COVID-19 in California:
- 2,102 lab confirmed cases in California;
- 1,571 – person to person;
- 531 – community transmission; and
- Includes 31 health care workers
- 40 deaths reported in California.
- Ages of all confirmed positive cases:
- Age 0-17: 28 cases;
- Age 18-49: 970 cases;
- Age 50-64: 493 cases;
- Age 65+: 449 cases; and
- Unknown: 162 cases.
- Gender of all confirmed cases:
- Male cases: 1,081;
- Female cases: 843; and
- Unknown: 178.
- Continue to send CalOES businesses and individuals who want to help. They are following up on all of those leads; and
- 15,000 tests have been tested and results received, and 12,000 tests are still pending.
Ryan Buras, Deputy Director of Recovery Operations, CalOES
- Created 14 task forces;
- Future opportunities task force:
- How do we turn California back on after this event is over? Thinking about that now and are taking suggestions.
- Childcare is eligible for Category B FEMA funds. But must be done as part of a shelter or for sheltered populations. Will take this back for consideration by FEMA to see if it can be used for workforce child care.
- For National Guard support, locals can funnel those requests to counties and then they will send that request to Cal OES;
- Are currently meeting all requests on this.
- Supplies and logistics;
- Want to manage the expectations of supplies.
- Homelessness;
- Non-congregant shelters - looking to rent hotel rooms;
- 1,305 travel trailers have arrived for asymptomatic homeless individuals;
- 105 sent to San Jose already; and
- Taking requests from counties and cities.
Eric Lamoureux, (Acting) Deputy Director, Cal OES Response Operations
- Working with US Navy to receive USS Mercy navy hospital ship in the Port of Los Angeles later this week.
Casey Deshawn – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 9
- FEMA has created a rumor control page on its website to combat misinformation; and
- FEMA is prepared for this to be a long duration event and is looking to ensure the safety of American residents.
Cal OES – Update on Strategic National Stockpile Supplies
- Now getting shipment from the strategic stockpile;
- Has sometimes taken a couple days to get supplies into the hands of locals;
- Try not to send duplicative orders, backs up the system;
- Try to consolidate orders into one bundled order or consecutive orders. Do not send orders piecemeal;
- Facilities are stockpiling or over ordering and this is not good;
- Adjudicating this on a case by case basis; and
- Please make sure to tell hospitals to not stockpile resources, there is great statewide need.
Small Business Administration
- Attempting to make the website better with the large surge in website visits;
- Are recommending that folks on the West Coast access the website in the evening after the east coast folks have gone to bed;
- Do not have numbers right now, but the first economic disaster recovery loan has been approved last week - 3 days after it was submitted; and
- Still requiring collateral for loans for $25,000, but those loans do not need real asset collateral, can be other types of collateral.
Brian Ferguson Public Information Officer, Cal OES
- Had a productive call with all of the county PIO's today. Cal OES is here to be a resources to counties; and
- An order was issued last night to close many state parks and parking facilities to limit folks gathering in large numbers.
Questions and Answers:
- For residential or commercial evictions, will the Governor issue further guidance?
Guidance is coming soon.
- When it comes to emergency declarations and stay at home orders, what is the order of priority of federal, state, and county directives? What do we need to follow?
California will continue to work hand in glove with the federal government on coordinating effort. The end of California’s stay at home order will be determined by health experts and whatever the state can do to protect health and safety of Californians.
- Are fairgrounds going to be activated for homeless housing or other uses? If so, who staffs this?
Depending on the use, different state or federal entities will staff them. Fairgrounds are on the table for different COVID-19 state uses currently.
- Food supply chain – If food suppliers no longer have customers, such as restaurants, how can those businesses provide food directly to local governments or the state?
Have those folks email CalOES with their business contact information and they will forward it over to the business operations center.
- Non-profits - How can the state stand up non-profits during this crisis?
SBA can help private non-profits. They provide loans for businesses of all sizes. SBA loans can't use loans to purchase land or be used by a municipality. But,iIf you have questions email them to disasterassistance@sba.gov or visit www.SBA.gov/disaster or call 800-659-2955.
COVID-19
California: State of Preparedness
3/24/20
New information in blue.
Control + click on the item in table of contents for easy navigation to sought after information.
Contents
COVID-19 at a Glance
Actions Taken by the State and Federal Government
· March 24
· March 23
· March 22,
· March 21
· March 20
· March 19
· March 18,
· March 17
· March 16
Grand Princess Cruise Ship
California is Prepared
How Can People Protect Themselves
About the Disease
About the Tests:
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Other Resources and Press Releases
State
Federal Resources
Orders & Press Releases
- As of 2 p.m. March 23, 2020 there were a total 2,102 positive cases in California. 24 cases are from repatriation flights, and the other 1,709 confirmed cases include:
- 531- community transmissions.
- 1571 other (travel/ person to Person/ under investigation)
- 31 health care workers
- 31 Californians from the Grand Princess, 85 including those from out of state.
- 40- deaths (Includes one non-California resident). Also includes the first youth death due to COVID-19.
- Age Breakdown
- 0-17 years of age: 28 - 1%
- 18-45 years of age: 970 - 50%
- 50-64 years of age: 493 - 26%
- 65 years and older: 449 - 23%
- Unknown: 162
- Gender of all confirmed positive cases:
- Female: 843 cases
- Male: 1,081 cases
- Unknown: 178 cases
- Hospital Capacity (as of March 15)
- 74,000 hospital beds at 614 facilities.
- Surge capacity of 8661 beds.
- 11,500 ICU beds (includes pediatric and neonatal).
- 7587 ventilators.
- EMSA has additional 900 ventilators.
- An additional several hundred ventilators procured.
- California is working to secure additional locations in order to “stack” enough resources to address anticipated need. A number of potential sites are being explored.
- California began receiving shipments from a prior request from the Strategic National Stockpile. The request included:
- 358,381 N95 masks
- 853,730 surgical masks
- 162,565 face shields
- 132,544 surgical gowns
- 678 coveralls
- 471,941 gloves
- California this week requested the following additional supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile:
- 20 million N95 masks
- 10 million surgical masks
- 600,000 surgical gowns
- 600,000 face shields
- 600,000 gloves
- 300,000 goggles
- 100,000 coveralls
- 10,000 ventilators
- 2 million swabs
- 200,000 RNA extraction kits
- In addition:
- Six California companies re-tooling to make gowns
- 1,000 ventilators from Elon musk being distributed
- Bloom Technologies repurposing ventilators
- 3-D printers to begin printing face shields.
- Richard Branson and Virgin assisting with PPE
- Taskforces have been stood up by the State Operations Center (SOC) to address various COVID-19 response issues:
- Communications/Crisis Communications (ESF* 2/ESF 15)
- Transportation and Infrastructure (ESF 1/ESF 3)
- Housing and Social Services (ESF 6)
- Logistics/Commodity Movement (ESF 7)
- Fire/Law Enforcement (ESF 4/ESF 13
- Public Health and Medical (ESF 8)
- Schools Task Force
- Economic Impact/Recovery Task Force
- Volunteers & Philanthropy (ESF 17)
- Innovation & Technology Task Force
- Cybersecurity (ESF 18)
- Corrections Facilities & Hospitals
* Emergency Support Function
- As of March 24, 2020, there have been 544 deaths.
- 44,183 cases reported in 54 jurisdictions (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands).
- 479 are travel related
- 569 transmitted by close contact
- 43,135 are under investigation
- March 23, deadlines for the Real ID have been extended. New deadlines to be announced.
- Governor Newsom directed $42 million in emergency funding to expand California’s health care infrastructure and secure equipment and services to support California’s response to COVID-19.
- $30 million to lease and operate two facilities and to expand the state’s hospital capacity.
- Seton Medical Center in Daly City.
- St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles.
- $1,420,000 to expand capacity of the state’s public health lab in Richmond.
- $8,647,000 to purchase new ventilators, as well as IV fusion pumps, and refurbish additional ventilators.
- $2 million to contract with American Medical Response to provide patient transportation.
- On March 20, FEMA has established a COVID-19 rumor control page on their website to clear up misconceptions about the virus. Visitors to the page will also find fact sheets and archived news releases. The COVID-19 response pages can be found at:
- The Treasury department announced Tax Day would be moved from April 15th to July 15th.
- The U.S. Department of Education is temporarily waiving interest on all federally held student loans and has directed federal lenders to suspend student loan payments for 60 days.
- 500 California National Guard personnel have been requested by CalVolunteers and CHHS On March 20, to augment food distribution through food bank and pantry locations due to COVID-19 disruption of local and volunteer activities throughout the state
- On March 20, 2020, CDE launched the email COVID19@cde.ca.gov to streamline management of inquiries from the field.
- On March 19 , Governor Gavin Newsom requested federal assistance to support California’s efforts to prepare to COVID-19. The letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy can be found here. He also requested that the President deploy the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship. Governor Newsom Also issued an executive order to permit vote-by-mail procedures to be used in three upcoming special elections, protecting public health and safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. The order can be viewed here.
- On March 19, 2020, Superintendent Thurmond announced the CA Meals for Kids mobile application now includes an “Emergency Meal Sites” layer identifying sites that continue to serve meals during school closure.
- Governor Gavin Newsom issued executive orders suspending standardized testing for students in response to COVID-19 and providing flexibility to local governments to spend their emergency homelessness funding on immediate solutions tailored to combatting COVID-19 and its impacts on the homeless population. He also directed the first allocation of the $500 million in emergency funding recently authorized by the Legislature for COVID-19 related activities – $150 million for local emergency homelessness actions. To deploy this first funding allocation, the state will provide:
- $100 million directly to local governments, for shelter support and emergency housing to address COVID-19 among the homeless population.
- $50 million to purchase travel trailers and lease rooms in hotels, motels, and other facilities in partnership with counties and cities to provide immediate isolation placements throughout the state for homeless individuals.
- On March 17 , 2020, the President announced on that all states can now authorize tests developed and used within their borders, in addition to the FDA.
- The Small Business Administration announced all California counties eligible for Economic Disaster Loans on March 17, 2020.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 89 and SB 117, budget bills that provide $500 million in General Fund monies to help California fight COVID-19 and authorizes increases up to $1 billion. The funding will:
- Increase hospital bed capacity and purchase medical equipment to combat the coming surge in COVID-19 patients;
- Protect hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities most vulnerable to COVID-19 spread
- Provide lifesaving services to Californians isolating at home
- Support local government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in homeless populations and provide safe beds for people experiencing homelessness
- Provide funding to clean childcare facilities that remain open.
- The package also provides $100 million Proposition 98 General Fund for personal protective equipment and cleaning for schools that remain open. It also allows schools to maintain funding despite service disruptions.
- On March 16, Governor Gavin Newsom requested that the California State Legislature take emergency action to fight Covid-19. Letter can be viewed here.
- The early and unanimous passage of the budget bills secured $1.1 billion in funding for COVID-19 efforts.
- On March 16, the President issued guidance discouraging gatherings greater than 10.
On March 16, the Small Business Administration approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration for California, which makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- The declaration covers the following primary counties: Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Sonoma and Tuolumne.
- It also covers the contiguous counties of Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Imperial, Kern, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Ventura, and Yolo.
- Additional counties can still submit worksheets in order to be added to the declaration.
- Governor Gavin Newsom also issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.
- The Department of Motor Vehicles requested law enforcement exercise discretion for 60 days in their enforcement of driver license and vehicle registration expiration dates beginning March 16, 2020. The DMV is taking this action so that at-risk populations, including seniors and those with underlying health conditions, can avoid required visits to DMV field offices for driver license or vehicle registration renewals.
- Transactions that fall within this action include driver license renewals for those:
- 70 years of age and older required to take a knowledge test
- Individuals who are required to renew in the office (last DMV visit was 15 years prior)
- Individuals subject to vision testing
- Individuals with complex driving history
On March 15, Governor Gavin Newsom announced pilot programs in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties that will begin mobile testing labs in next 24 to 48 hours. Pilot program could expand to other areas of state. The Governor also called for:
- Those who are older than 65 and those with chronic conditions to isolate in their homes as they face the greatest risk from COVID-19.
- Visitation of patients in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, senior and assisted living homes be for “end of life” only.
- Bars, night clubs and wineries to close.
- Restaurants to cut occupancy in half.
- Points of access will be expanded to deliver good to people who are isolated in their homes.
- On March 15 Governor Gavin Newsom announced efforts to address the unsheltered homeless population:
- Hotels and motels will be procured to remove the homeless from the streets.
- 450 trailers will be sent to critical points to provide housing to the homeless.
- Announced forthcoming guidance for schools that plan to remain open.
- The CDC also announced new guidance for mass events and recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people.
- March 14, the House of Representatives passed H.R 6201, The 2nd Federal Supplemental—Coronavirus Response Act. The bill includes paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing and money for food stamps, among other things. Complete summary of appropriations made in the bill can be viewed here.
- As of March 14, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an Incident Management Assistance Team integrated into the Cal OES State Operations Center in Sacramento to support the State of California and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the coordination of federal resources.
- March 13, the President issued a proclamation declaring a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. To view the declaration, click here. The White house also released a memorandum on expanding state-approved diagnostic tests. Click here to view.
- State, territorial, tribal, and local government entities and certain private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for assistance for measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials. Reimbursable activities typically include emergency protective measures such as the activation of State Emergency Operations Centers, National Guard costs, law enforcement and other measures necessary to protect public health and safety.
- The FEMA Region IX Office in Oakland stood up its Regional Response Coordination Center to co-coordinate with HHS for federal resources to the seven states and territories within its operational jurisdiction.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order ensuring state funding for schools in event of physical closure.
- March 12, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order further enhancing California's ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor's order:
- Waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19;
- Delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings;
- Directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including to cancel large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria;
- Readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals;
- Allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and to make meetings accessible electronically; and
- Allows local and state emergency administrators to act quickly to protect public health.
- March 11, Governor Newsom and state public health officials announced updated guidance on gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19.
- On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
- March 10 Snapshot:
- 1017 total individuals were disembarked from the ship on March 10.
- 614 individuals were transported by bus to Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, California.
- 124 individuals were transported via charted flight to Dobbins Air Reserve base near Marietta, Georgia.
- 98 individuals were transported via chartered flight to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio.
- 136 individuals were repatriated via chartered flight to the United Kingdom.
- 3 individuals were transported via ambulance.
- Up to 24 individuals who disembarked the cruise ship are being relocated to a cluster of buildings on the Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove. The individuals will be temporarily housed in buildings that are removed from visitors and the public, and will not interact with other Asilomar guests, employees, or the general public.
- All the individuals have been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals is known to have contracted novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they will be tested and monitored by medical professionals while at Asilomar.
- Following the completion of the mission, the Grand Princess Cruise Ship will be moved from dock at the Port of Oakland and temporarily anchored.
- Upon the ship’s departure, the Port of Oakland site will be fully remediated and decontaminated by immediately removing temporary structures and pressure washing the entire site with a bleach solution to disinfect it.
- CHHS and Cal OES continues partnering with federal and local governments to ensure that adequate protocols are in place to protect the health of the disembarked passengers and the public health of California and the communities surrounding Asilomar.
- The state worked, and continues to work closely with local agencies, including Monterey County and the City of Pacific Grove, to coordinate this mission and provide communication and information to the public.
- March 9 Snapshot:
- 407 total individuals were disembarked from the ship
- 173 U.S. residents
- 149 transported via bus to Travis Air Force Base
- 24 transported via ambulance
- 234 Canadians
- 232 transported for repatriation to Canada
- 2 transported via ambulance
- The first day of disembarkation focused on passengers with the greatest medical need (not necessarily related to COVID-19). Many of these passengers had limitations on their movement which required greater time and care while they de-boarded the vessel.
- Around noon on March 9, the Grand Princess cruise ship docked in the Port of Oakland and begin the disembarking process. Federal support teams from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS) setup disembarking screening protocols to focus first on helping those individuals who required immediate emergency medical care, not necessarily related to COVID-19 exposure.
- After the first cohort of individuals disembarked, the federal staff began disembarking the 962 California residents and Canadian nationals.
- Once all California residents were off the ship, non-Californians were transported by the federal government to facilities in other states. The crew was quarantined aboard the ship. Crew members in need of more acute medical care, were transferred to an appropriate medical facility in California.
- For more information regarding today’s activities in Oakland, see this press release from OESNews.
- March 8, Cal OES and CDPH issued a press release giving an overview of the plan for the disembarking of the Grand Princess passengers and crew. For that release, please visit the OES News page.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services worked with state and local partners in California to support passengers returning to the U.S. on the Grand Princess cruise ship. For that release, please visit the HHS page.
- The ship docked temporarily in a non-passenger port in San Francisco Bay.
- Passengers will be transferred to federal military installations for medical screening, COVID-19 testing, and a 14-day quarantine.
- Nearly 1,000 passengers who are California residents will complete the mandatory quarantine at Travis Air Force Base and Miramar Naval Air Station, and residents of other states will complete the mandatory quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in Texas or Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia.
- The Department of State worked closely with the home countries of several hundred passengers to arrange for repatriation to their countries.
- March 7, California officials issued updated guidance to schools, colleges and universities, event organizers and public health officials as they plan for further spread of COVID-19.
- On the morning of March 6, the federal government and the State of California learned that 21 of the 46 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 on the Grand Princess cruise ship tested positive.
- Federal and state government have been working in close collaboration overnight and throughout the day to quickly stand up a solution that meets the health needs for those on board and protects public health.
- On March 5, under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, the Department of Managed Health Care directed all commercial and Medi-Cal health plans regulated by the Department to immediately reduce cost-sharing to zero for all medically necessary screening and testing for the COVID-19.
- On March 5, the California Department of Insurance issued similar direction providing cost free medically necessary testing for an additional 2 million Californians. Combined these announcements ensure that 24 million more Californians are eligible to receive testing, should their health care provider deem it medically necessary.
- On March 5, the California Employee Development Department announced support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, the use of online options is encouraged.
- Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance claim.
- Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave claim.
- Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program.
Grand Princess Cruise Ship
- Beginning Monday, March 23, passengers of the Grand Princess will begin to leave quarantine at Travis and Miramar. They will leave in groups over the next two days to return to their homes.
- As of Saturday, March 14, state and federal officials disembarked more than 2,900 individuals from the Grand Princess which includes more than 2,400 passengers and more than 500 crew.
- The ship departed the Port of Oakland on Sunday, March 15.
- In total, 1,424 individuals were safely brought ashore during the first two days of the Grand Princess disembarkation.
- 613 sent to Travis Air Force Base (CA)
- 42 sent to Miramar Marine Corp Air Station (CA)
- 124 Sent to Dobbins Air Reserve Base (GA)
- 98 sent to Lackland Air Force Base (TX)
- 168 repatriated via chartered flight to United Kingdom
- 19 relocated to Asilomar
- This number will fluctuate as those who test positive for COVID-19 are relocated to Asilomar and those who test negative are relocated to federal military bases.
- An additional alternative quarantine site has been identified, a hotel in San Carlos owned by a private company, GRM Properties. The hotel has the capacity to house up to 120 individuals and currently has no guests. The individuals being relocated to San Carlos will not interact with the general public.
- Each person going to San Carlos has been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals are known to have contracted novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they will be tested and monitored by medical professionals.
- The passengers’ 14 day quarantine started when they disembarked, so some will end their time on March 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th.
- However, each is an individual medical decision, so discharge dates may vary.
- Given our connectedness to rest of the world and our sheer size, we have always understood that a fast-spreading and novel infectious disease could show up here first, in California, before anywhere else in the country.
- In recent years we have had a plan for a flu-like pandemic – one that has built on our knowledge and experience with previous flu-strains and infectious diseases.
- Our public health infrastructure and our expertise is second to none. We have been preparing for this particular virus since it was discovered last year, and we have been in deep and daily coordination with the CDC, local government and our health system as it spread.
Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense – things you learned as a kindergartner:
- Washing hands with soap and water.
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Follow guidance from public health officials.
- It is also important that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call their health care provider first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
- Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
- The family of coronaviruses has been around for some time. Some coronavirus are common, like the ones that cause the common cold. Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, is a new a kind of coronavirus.
- The most common symptoms include fever cough and respiratory symptoms. Our experience to date is that most people, more than 80%, have mild or no symptoms, but some have more complicated course, including pneumonia.
- We are learning more about its transmission, but the most common symptoms are respiratory, so its primary mode of transmission is through coughing and sneezing.
- California has 22 – state and county labs currently testing.
- As of March 23, 27,600 tests have been conducted in California, including private and commercial labs.
- 15,554 results have been reported to Public Health.
- 12,100 are pending.
- In order to better focus public health resources on the changing needs of California communities, the state is no longer collecting information about California travelers returning from countries that have confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Community transmission of COVID-19 has been identified in California since late February, and since early March, most confirmed cases in the state were not related to travel outside of the United States.
- The CDC is providing test kits to public health labs in the U.S., including California, to detect the novel coronavirus. The test kits contain all the elements necessary for a laboratory to test and confirm the presence of the disease. Each test kit contains enough ingredients to test between 350 and 400 individuals. As of March 7, there are 25 such kits in California at various public health labs. Additional test kits have been ordered.
- At this time, both oral and nasal swabs are taken at a hospital or by a physician who suspects COVID 19. This is handled through regular procedures for specimen collection, much in the same way flu testing is handled. There are no special materials needed for this collection. Those specimens are delivered, again much in the same way flu specimens are delivered, to the nearest public health lab for testing.
- California is working closely with the CDC to request and receive more testing capacity, as needed. The CDC has fulfilled those requests on an ongoing basis and, as needs expand, California continues to request more testing capacity.
- This SBA declaration, makes available Economic Injury Disaster Loans to impacted small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private non‐profit organizations.
- SBA loans can be approved up to 2 million dollars but are limited to the economic injury determined by SBA. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
- U.S. Small Business Administration announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment.
California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
CDPH Website
COVID-19 Guidance Documents
Cal OES News
Coronavirus.gov
FEMA Rumor Control Page
CDC Webpage
Travel Notices: COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel-CDC
Travel notices - CDC
Resources for the Community
State Department Travel Advisories
FDA COVID-19 Guidance
FDA Enforcement Policy for Ventilators
USDA SNAP Guidance
SBA- COVID-19 Small Business Guidance
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order on State Prisons and Juvenile Facilities in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
California Secures Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to Support State’s COVID-19 Emergency Response
Governor Newsom Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for State’s COVID-19 Response Efforts
Governor Newsom Takes Action to Strengthen California’s Health Care Delivery System to Respond to COVID-19
Governor Newsom Signs Order to Protect Public Health by Expanding Vote-by-Mail Options and Extending Deadlines for Presidential Primary Canvass
Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order
Governor Newsom Takes Emergency Actions & Authorizes $150 Million in Funding to Protect Homeless Californians from COVID-19
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Suspend Standardized Testing for Students in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
Governor Newsom Asks Legislature for Emergency Legislative Action to Fight COVID-19
Small Business Administration- Disaster Loan Assistance-Declaration Details
DMV allows customers to avoid coming to a DMV office for 60 days
FEMA Support Under Emergency Declaration
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready
Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order Ensuring State Funding for Schools Even in Event of Physical Closure
Frequently Asked Questions About Use of Stockpiled N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Protection from COVID-19
Interim Guidance for Protecting Health Care Workers from Exposure to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Governor Newsom, State Health Officials Announce More than 22 Million Californians Now Eligible for Free Medically Necessary COVID-19 Testing
Federal and State Partners Protect the Community of Oakland while Supporting the Safe Return of Passengers from the Grand Princess Cruise Ship
Covid-19 Public Health Guidance for Individuals With Access And Functional Needs
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