Monday Rx: LACMA's Five-Point Plan, COVID-19 Physician PPE Survey and Latest Public Health Updates. March 16, 2020 Coronavirus, COVID-19, Five-Point Plan, Member Benefits, Member Resources 1712 LACMA's Five-Point Plan Central to our mission as an organization that supports physicians and medical practices, LACMA is committed to providing tangible and timely resources for practices. I am excited to announce, in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic that has claimed one life with 94 cases as of today, on Wednesday, we will release our five-point plan to help those caring for patients. Prior to the announcement, I would like to know how much demand there is for personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kit access and other vital supplies during this crisis. Therefore, your input is essential as we put forth an aggressive response. Please respond to the survey and help us to help you better. Take Survey 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory 25 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 25 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Because testing limitations still exist, the best approach is to practice social distancing at every opportunity, assuming that many people can be infected. Additional case information: Five cases have an unidentified source of exposure. One case was exposed during recent travel. One case had close contact with a confirmed case. Seventeen of these cases are pending more investigation. One is the case reported by the Pasadena Health Department yesterday. To date, Public Health has identified 94 cases; of these, 15 cases are likely due to community transmission. Two of the cases confirmed today were hospitalized. Cases are occurring across LA County, so everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify close contacts who are household members, intimate partners and healthcare professionals to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness. All confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined. “We are seeing a significant increase in cases and evidence of community spread as more testing occurs,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “We are implementing more social distancing requirements and we expect everyone to do their part." Public Health has issued the following guidance during this time of increased spread: Avoid non-essential travel, public gatherings, and places where large groups of people congregate. Event organizers postpone or cancel non-essential gatherings of 50 or more until at least the end of March. Limit gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (people older than 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness) to no more than 10 people. This guidance does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes, work, or essential services, including public transportation, airport travel or shopping. If you are mildly sick with a fever, stay home and call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick. Exclude employees and visitors with any fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms and visitors with recent travel to any country or region with significant community transmission (including communities in the US) from all schools, businesses, and gatherings of any size. Follow all social distancing recommendations issued by Public Health. Additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website. Please see the locations were cases have occurred: Laboratory Confirmed Cases -- 94 Total Cases Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas) -- 87 Long Beach -- 5 Pasadena -- 2 By City Alhambra -- 2 Arcadia -- 1 Beverly Hills -- 1 Boyle Heights -- 5 Carson -- 1< City -- 2 Diamond Bar -- 2 Encino-- 3 Gardena-- 1 Glendale -- 2 Glendora-- 1 Granada Hills -- 3 Inglewood -- 2 Koreatown -- 1 La Mirada -- 2 Lancaster -- 1 Manhattan Beach -- 3 Melrose-- 2 Northridge-- 1 San Dimas -- 1 San Pedro -- 1 Santa Clarita and Stevenson Ranch -- 3 Santa Monica -- 1 Sherman Oaks -- 2 Silverlake-- 1 South Pasadena -- 1 Tarzana -- 5 Torrance -- 2 Venice -- 1 West Adams -- 1 West Hills -- 3 West Hollywood -- 5 West Vernon -- 1 Westchester-- 1 Los Angeles City (Neighborhood <25,000) -- 11 Still Investigating -- 11 The public should not think one location is safer than the other. Cases are occurring across LA County, so everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health http ://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/ California Department of Public Health https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs /CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/index.html World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health- topics/coronavirus LA County residents can also call 2-1-1 Latest COVID-19 California Public Health Testing Laboratories Eighteen public health labs in California are testing for COVID-19. More public health labs will soon be able to test for COVID-19. This means California public health officials will get test results sooner so that patients will get the best care. Learn More California Takes Steps to Protect Those Most Vulnerable to Coronavirus In an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Sunday that California is taking additional measures to protect those most at risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19. The measures include urging those most vulnerable to COVID-19 to socially isolate at home, such as people age 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness from the coronavirus. Recognizing the critical role physicians and other health care workers will play as we meet the expected surge, the governor’s office later clarified that the isolation order does not apply to health care workers over aged 65. California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, M.D., says health care workers who are 65 or older should continue performing their duties but self-isolate when they are off duty. Gov. Newsom said the state is working to add hospital beds and expand our state’s capacity to treat patients. Last week, the governor issued an executive order that would allow the state to take over hotels and other facilities that may be used to treat patients. Gov. Newsom said the state was close to announcing a deal that would add more than 700 beds by the end of the week. Gov. Newsom also said the state is also taking other steps to ramp up support to protect Californians most vulnerable to COVID-19, including: Limiting visitors at assisted living facilities to only patients in end-of-life situations Providing safe, wrap around services to those vulnerable residents who are isolating at home, including ramping up existing meal delivery and home visiting services Continue working to strengthen our hospitals, clinics, health care delivery system, first responders and health care workforce Working aggressively to get homeless Californians into safe shelters and housing Gov. Newsom emphasized that because not all people are equally vulnerable, it is important that we practice social distancing. Therefore, California is urging the following aggressive social distancing steps: Bars, night clubs, and brewery and winery tasting rooms should close. Restaurants should focus on food delivery and takeout while maximizing social distancing for those who are inside their restaurant by reducing occupancy by half. Gov. Newsom also said it is important that essential societal functions continue. People who can continue to work safely and remain productive – whether that is remotely or at their regular workplace – should do so. This will ensure those who are needed to protect our most vulnerable residents can still go to work, for example: hospital and health care workers grocers and pharmacists social service providers essential government workers The California Medical Association (CMA) has been working and will continue to work closely with Gov. Newsom and public health officials as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. CMA has set up a COVID-19 resource page, where you will find links to the latest news, research and developments on the COVID-19 outbreak for physicians and other health care providers. 2020 Southern California Women in Medicine Leading Through Change Friday, March 20, 2020 Cancelled District 10 Mixer/Educational Event Postponed 11th Annual LACBA - LACMA Healthcare Law & Medicine Education Symposium April 1, 2020 Postponed #MondayMotivation "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”