Courtesy of the California Department of Social Services
Primary Audience:
ALL COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION (CCLD) LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and remain prevalent in our daily lives. Recently, a new variant of COVID-19 was identified in South Africa and labeled by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern. The variant has officially been named by the WHO as Omicron.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a press statement which can be found online here. It is anticipated that information about the new variant will change as additional information is known. A fact sheet on the most current information about the Omicron variant can be found online here.
CCLD would like to remind you of actions which can be taken by everyone to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant:
- Get Vaccinated: All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in California are safe and effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19. Vaccination will protect you, caregivers, facility staff, persons in care and loved ones. Children ages 5 and older are now eligible for vaccination. Additionally, adults over the age of 18 who are at least six months since their last doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since their single-dose of Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) are eligible for a booster.
- Wear Masks: Per the latest Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings from CDPH, universal masking indoors is recommended statewide. However, certain counties have modified their current public health officer orders and require everyone to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. You can access the latest COVID-19 guidance and masking requirements for all counties at COVID19.ca.gov and must follow the specific masking guidance for your facility or home.
- Get Tested: Everyone should immediately get tested for COVID-19 if they are feeling any symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status. COVID-19 symptoms can feel like a common cold (including just “the sniffles”), seasonal allergies, or flu. COVID-19 testing in California is free to anyone who needs it.
- Stay Home if Sick: Everyone should stay home if they are feeling sick.
Important! Licensees and Providers must refer to their program specific guidance on all of the topics listed above. Please continue to monitor the CCLD COVID-19 Information and Resource page and Provider Information Notices (PINs) for updated information regarding COVID-19. For questions, please contact your local Regional Office or other designated CCLD Contact:
Adult and Senior Care Regional Offices
Child Care Regional Offices
Children’s Residential Regional Offices
Home Care Services Bureau