(Santa Ana, CA) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory to local health departments on September 9 regarding reports of increases in pediatric hospitalizations of patients with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) and/or enterovirus (EV). RVs and EVs are typically associated with acute respiratory illness (ARI), including asthma, but can also cause a rare but serious neurologic complication involving limb weakness.
 
The CDC Health Alert notifies health providers to consider RV and/or EV as a possible cause of acute, severe respiratory illness (with or without) fever and recommends laboratory testing of respiratory specimens for patients who present with ARI.  
 
“Orange County is seeing a lot of respiratory illnesses affecting our community right now, both in children and adults across the county resulting in hospitalizations,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “In addition to these respiratory viruses we are also seeing patients sick with Influenza and COVID-19. Please keep yourself, your family and our community safe by following recommended preventive measures.”
 
What people should do:

• Get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines to prevent complications from these viral illnesses.
• Mask around others and large groups.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
• Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Do not go to school or work when you are symptomatic. 

Residents are encouraged to contact a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has trouble breathing or has a sudden onset of limb weakness. Additionally, ensure you or your child are following an up-to-date asthma action plan if you or your child have asthma.
 
Local clinicians who have any suspected cases are advised to immediately contact the HCA’s Communicable Disease Control Division. For additional information see the attached Health Advisory from the California Department of Public Health.

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Source

As of Friday, September 9, 191 confirmed or probable MPX cases have been identified among Orange County residents. Over the last several weeks there has been a leveling off in the number of cases reported per week. The epidemiology and demographics of cases have not changed substantially. Weekly data updates on MPX in the County is available on the OCHCA Monkeypox Homepage. More info...

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has begun offering bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines this week. This follows Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these vaccines’ use and updated booster recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice as well as the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

According to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.”

The bivalent vaccines are recommended for age-appropriate individuals as a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after either completion of a primary vaccination series or receipt of the most recent booster dose.

The Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent vaccine is authorized for use in people 12 years and older, while the Moderna Bivalent vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years and older. A bivalent COVID-19 booster dose can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines.
 
“Studies continue to show that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine prevents infection, hospitalization and death,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “As we approach the winter season, getting a booster dose will protect against serious illness caused by COVID-19. I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive it.”
 
Eligible residents and visitors are advised to visit www.myturn.ca.gov or www.vaccines.gov to find a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine near you. HCA clinics also continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to high-risk communities; appointments are available at www.othena.com.
 
To read more about bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, visit the FDA’s webpage FDA Bivalent or the California Department of Public Health COVID statement.  
 
For more information, contact your primary care provider, visit the HCA’s COVID-19 website at www.ochealthinfo.com/covid19 or call OC Health Referral Line 1-800-564-8448.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures continuing to reach the high 90s and low 100 degrees in many cities in Orange County through Friday, 9/9. Residents are encouraged to take precautions to avoid-heated illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes and people with chronic medical conditions who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat.

Residents without access to air-conditioned facilities are encouraged to seek a cooling center in your area. Cooling centers are free, indoor air-conditioned locations where you can keep cool when there are extreme heat weather conditions. For information on cooling centers near you, call 2-1-1 or visit https://ocsheriff.gov/coolingcenters.

Be aware of and know what to do for heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Call 911 right away if you see these symptoms: high body temperature (103°F or higher), vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and hot, red, dry, or damp skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Local schools and athletic organizations are encouraged to minimize outdoor activity and physical education to protect students from heat-relative illnesses and injuries.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a wide brim hat and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those, like neighbors, who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has begun administering Novavax vaccines at HCA-managed vaccination sites, beginning this week. Flu vaccines are also now being offered. Though COVID-19 cases are currently declining in Orange County, the HCA encourages individuals who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza (flu) to get vaccinated.
 
“Studies continue to show that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine reduces infections, hospitalizations and deaths,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “As we begin the flu season, getting infected with COVID-19 as well as the flu is a real possibility for anyone who is not yet vaccinated against either disease or is at risk. We encourage the public to protect themselves and loved ones by advocating for COVID-19 and flu vaccination.”
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics, flu vaccines can be safely co-administered with COVID-19 vaccines for both eligible children and adults. Eligible residents can register for an appointment by visiting www.Othena.com.
 
Novavax is a 2-dose vaccine, given three weeks apart. In early 2021, it was found to be 90% effective against mild, moderate and severe disease in a trial of 30,000 people ages 18 and older. Residents 12 years and older are eligible to receive the Novavax vaccine, however it isn’t authorized for use as a booster or for children 11 and younger. See Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) here
 
Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax vaccine was developed without the use of mRNA technology. Rather, Novavax directly delivers the spike protein plus an immune system which is the same mechanism used successfully in vaccines for shingles, HPV, hepatitis B and childhood vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.  
 
Anyone currently unvaccinated for COVID-19 and seeking the Novavax vaccine, can visit www.othena.com to schedule an appointment. Some pharmacy locations are also offering Novavax through www.vaccines.gov.
 
If you have questions about Novavax or the flu vaccine, talk to your primary care provider. For more information and resources on influenza, visit Influenza | Orange County California - Health Care Agency (ochealthinfo.com) or call HCA’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448.
 
For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid or call HCA’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – Temperatures in most of Orange County are expected to reach the low to mid 90s beginning Wednesday 8/31 and reach the high 90s and low 100 degrees through Monday 9/5. High temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke for those who are more sensitive to heat.

Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat cramps or heatstroke and can even be fatal. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid pulse, and a throbbing headache. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a wide brim hat and use sunscreen.
• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in shaded area. 
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those, like neighbors, who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat.

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