Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a non-standard COVIDNet Participation Agreement between the County of Monterey and the California Department of Public Health for the term of upon execution through June 30, 2025, for the Participation of COVID Network of California Laboratories for SARS-Co-V-2 Whole Genome Sequencing.
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in Agreement as recommended by Director of Health.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a non-standard COVIDNet Participation Agreement between the County of Monterey and the California Department of Public Health for the term of upon execution through June 30, 2025, for the Participation of COVID Network of California Laboratories for SARS-Co-V-2 Whole Genome Sequencing.
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in Agreement as recommended by Director of Health.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The California Department Public Health has partnered with the Chan-Zuckerburg Biohub and other COVIDNet participating laboratories to conduct and facilitate whole genome sequencing of COVID-19 specimens. The purpose of COVIDNet is to include all city and county public health laboratories currently performing whole genome sequencing into one system to better inform outbreak investigations and public health surveillance across California. COVIDNet endeavors to bring consistency and continuity to how public health laboratory scientists and epidemiologists detect, characterize, and investigate SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission and containment.
The agreement allows the Health Department to join other local health jurisdictions to better trace and track outbreaks including those that would have previously gone undetected, and to inform public health action pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 100325. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Health Department Public Health Laboratory to participate in COVIDNet and to contribute to timely and comprehensive data that describes the evolutionary development of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants and sublineages in California.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals:
1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance public health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; and 10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The office of the County Counsel has reviewed as to form. Risk Manager has approved as to risk provisions.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between Monterey County and California Department of Public Health for this agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst I, 682-5902
Approved by:
______________________________Date:_________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement