VCAAA UPDATE 3/11/2020 – COVID-19
A MESSAGE FROM THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING:
Consistency is key when it comes to communication. It is important that we are all providing the same information. Ventura County Public Health has taken the lead in addressing this issue and is doing a phenomenal job with trying to stay ahead of a potential crisis. Partnering agencies are making tremendous efforts to do the same and are providing critical support. This includes the County’s Emergency Medical Services, who have implemented protocols to address possible exposure directly on site of calls to avoid potential spread of the virus.
Older adults are among those at highest risk of contracting the virus, especially those with compromised immune systems and/or preexisting respiratory conditions. As direct service providers, we must keep clients well informed without creating angst or fear, and provide necessary resources to combat any potential illness.
Current Facts That Are Important to Know:
- 55 people have been tested in Ventura County.
- 1 individual tested positive and is in quarantine. This case is considered travel related as the individual is believed to have contracted COVID-19 from a cruise ship. This individual was one of six Ventura County residents who were exposed while on a cruise. The five others have not tested positive. Ventura County Public Health acted quickly upon learning of the exposure and immediately contacted each individual involved. There is believed to be no threat of exposure to the community at this time.
- 54 of the 55 tests conducted locally have come back negative.
- Currently, there are 0 cases in Ventura County that are categorized as “community transmissions.”
Current Status of VCAAA SNP Meal Sites and Ventura County Senior Centers:
- All SNP meal sites are currently providing meal services.
- All Oxnard Senior Centers are closed indefinitely. This includes the Wilson Senior Center, Palm Vista Senior Center, and the South Oxnard Senior Center. Oxnard’s Home Delivered Meal (HDM) clients will still receive services. Congregate meal clients will have the option to pick-up meals daily at either the Palm Vista Senior Center or the Wilson Senior Center.
- All other Senior Centers in Ventura County are operating at full capacity at this time. There are no interruptions to SNP meal services.
*Please note the Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks will be closed the week of March 16th and will re-open on March 23rd. This is because the floors at the center are being replaced and is NOT due to COVID-19*
Below are a variety of resource I’d like to share with you with the goal that you, in turn, share them with your clients and communities:
ONLINE RESOURCES:
www.VCEmergency.com : This website is managed by the County of Ventura Emergency Operations Center and is updated frequently. This is the best possible online resource for you and your clients to reference for local information.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html: From the CDC, this is a direct link to a variety of print resources that you can utilize in all personal and professional settings. Materials are offered in a variety of languages. We encourage you to print the resources on this page to hang at your sites and, if feasible, provide printed copies for clients to take home.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/: This will direct you to information from the CDC related to high risk populations, including older adults.
www.ventura.org/covid19/ : This page is part of VCEmergency.com, but will lead you to direct information related to precautionary measures that can be taken at home, in the office, in schools, in hospitals, and in large social gatherings.
www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/science/index.html: “Show Me the Science”: Information from the CDC regarding facts about hand sanitizers and hand washing.
