Full Text
Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith Monday January 17, 2022 COVID Testing Resources Dear Alpine County business, workers, and public, We want to acknowledge that we are living through some very stressful times. We appreciate your efforts to keep our Alpine County community, you and your employees, residents, workers, and our visitors safe and well. Our goal as the Alpine County Public Health Department is to work with you and support you through any mechanism where we have available resources. Let’s talk specifically about COVID testing protocols and resources. We have just received a shipment of rapid home tests. However, the supply chain is broken, and we do not know when we might receive further shipments. Therefore, we must emphasize the following: - All individuals and businesses should make good faith attempts to obtain through their usual suppliers or local retail outlets. - The priorities of the Health Department include schools, the general public, and county employees. - Highest priority is to those most vulnerable: seniors, those with chronic medical conditions and those who are immunocompromised, the very young <5 years of age who are not eligible for vaccine yet, and those persons who are not vaccinated or are incompletely vaccinated. - Reasons to get tested include: • Having compatible with COVID-19 of COVID-19 I CDC) • Having an exposure to a documented case of COVID-19 (if without test at 3- 5 days after exposure) Public Health Brief Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Nichole Williamson Public Health Officer HHS Director Office: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 249 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] e-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] 24/7/365 Emergency Contact Number Dispatch: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 330 ---PAGE BREAK--- Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith • Persons on isolation or quarantine who wish to test out at 5 days or after (our experience is that if you tested positive, you will still be positive at day If still positive at day 5, need to isolate for 5 more days, but no further test at day 10 if feeling better. If on quarantine, still without at day 5, and test is negative, may end quarantine, continue to mask and check for for a total of 14 days. • Pre/post travel or event We are unable to provide tests “to have on hand” or to test out of “curiosity”. This is an inappropriate use of the tests, and requests for such will be denied. We are also unable to provide tests to be done on a regular basis, say once or twice a week, unless you have reasons listed above. Final points: - We will ask you for a verbal commitment to obtain tests elsewhere before requesting from us. - If our supply is limited, we will restrict or deny any requests. - You (employers) are required to report any positives to us by calling [PHONE REDACTED], Option 1, with the persons’ name and contact information as well as your contact information. This is a CalOSHA requirement. - If for any reason a person cannot obtain a test, automatically the isolation or quarantine period is extended from 5 to 10 days. - Accompanying this document is our current flow chart to help you with decision making. Our highest priority is the safety and wellness of our community, which includes residents, workers, and visitors. We are committed to work with you to provide advice and testing resources as our supply allows with the current limitations. To request tests, you will need to contact me directly at [PHONE REDACTED], Option 1, and I will evaluate your request and forward the information to our office staff for fulfillment if we are able. Rick Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Health Officer, Alpine County