Covid-19 Information - January 2021

• 1-28-21 - 5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program Opens Feb. 1
• 1-25-21 - Outdoor Dining, Hair Salons and Other Personal Care Services can Resume Immediately
• 1-21-21 - Orange County Health Care Agency’s Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super POD Site Opens in South OC Saturday
• 1-20-21 - Local Mental Health Resources can Help Combat Stress from COVID-19
• 1-13-21 - Seniors can Obtain COVID-19 Vaccine by Appointment Only Through County’s App
• 1-6-21 - Deadline Extended to Apply for State’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

January 28, 2021

5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program Opens Feb. 1

The County’s Small Business Grant Relief Program will support small businesses and organizations within the 5th Supervisorial District (including Mission Viejo) impacted by COVID-19 by providing $10,000 (flat rate, single payment) awards. The application period opens at 9 am on February 1.

Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Awardees will be reimbursed for expenses incurred from March 2020 to present (as long as other relief funds were not received for the same expense).

For eligibility requirements and to apply for the County program, visit https://charitableventuresoc.org. 

 

January 25, 2021

Outdoor Dining, Hair Salons and Other Personal Care Services can Resume Immediately

With the State's lift on the Regional Stay-at-Home and curfew orders today, outdoor dining, hair salons and barbershops can resume immediately with modifications.

The State's action allows counties to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and puts the County back in the Purple Tier.

A list of Activity and Business Tiers that are open, closed or open with modifications can be found on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy website.

You can search for a business or activity type by visiting https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ and typing in “Orange” in the County field, entering the business or activity type, and clicking “GET LATEST RISK LEVELS.”

Because case rates remain high across most of the state, the Hospital Surge Order remains in place.

The County Health Care Agency updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to reflect the new tier status. 

 

January 21, 2021

Orange County Health Care Agency’s Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super POD Site Opens in South OC Saturday

The Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site will open at 8 am on Saturday, January 23 at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

Orange County is working to make the COVID-19 vaccination available; however, the County faces ongoing supply limitations. The Health Care Agency continues to request more doses from the State, officials said in a press release. 

Soka University is the second regional vaccine point of dispensing (POD) location after the Disneyland Resort Super POD site opened in January. More Super POD sites will open as the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the County increases.

Vaccines dispensed at County Super PODs are currently available for people who live and work in Orange County and fall within the State’s Phase 1A, all tiers, including people 65 and older. Appointments are available through Othena.com based on vaccine availability. Eligible people with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site to receive a vaccine. To view a list of folks eligible to receive a vaccine, visit https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-vaccine-resources. 

For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth). Information is also available by contacting the County’s COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000 or via email at ETeam@ochca.com. 

 

January 20, 2021

Local Mental Health Resources can Help Combat Stress from COVID-19

Since the pandemic has taken a toll on everyone differently, the City has compiled some resources that help people focus on how to cope with stress for a healthier mental state. 

The following numbers and links can provide direct support to folks in need:

OC Links – County Information & Referral Services

• 855-625-4657 
• LIVE CHAT

Orange County Health Care Agency

Be Well Orange County - Resource Clearinghouse

Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) - for school age children

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

• OC “Warm” line: 714-991-6412

Substance Abuse/Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• 24-hour 800-662-4357

 

January 13, 2021

Seniors can Obtain COVID-19 Vaccine by Appointment Only Through County’s App

Residents 65 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with an appointment through the County of Orange’s vaccine and management app. 

To register to be notified when the County’s app “Othena” has appointments available, visit https://othena.com/individuals.php. 

According to the County, the success of its phased, tiered vaccination plan depends on everyone being patient and allowing priority groups to be vaccinated first.  

“Overwhelming the appointment system will make it even more challenging to dispense the limited supply of vaccine currently available,” the County said in a press release.  

As vaccine becomes more plentiful, additional appointments will become available, and eligibility will expand to other groups. To learn more about the County’s phased distribution plan, visit www.COVIDVaccineFacts.com. Information is also available by contacting the County’s COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000 or via email at ETeam@ochca.com. 

 

January 6, 2021

Deadline Extended to Apply for State’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

The deadline for the first round of applications for the State of California’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program was extended from January 8 to January 13, 2021 at 11:59 pm.

Along with the $500 million already approved for this program, Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking lawmakers for more money to help small businesses and cultural institutions affected by the pandemic. If approved, more than a billion dollars would be given to those hit hard by COVID-19.

For more information and to apply for State grant funding today, visit https://careliefgrant.com/.