Title
Consider adopting a resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a letter in support of the County Health Officer’s Attestation for Variance through Stage 2 of the State’s Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience; and
b. Authorize and direct the County Health Officer to transmit the attestation and its accompanying documents to the State Department of Public Health.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider adopting a resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a letter in support of the County Health Officer’s Attestation for Variance through Stage 2 of the State’s Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience; and
b. Authorize and direct the County Health Officer to transmit the attestation and its accompanying documents to the State Department of Public Health.
SUMMARY:
The Monterey County Health Officer, Dr. Edward Moreno seeks support for his attestation that Monterey County meets the required criteria to advance more quickly through Stage 2 of the State’s Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience, and requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the Chair of the Board to execute a letter of support on behalf of the Board of Supervisors as required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
DISCUSSION:
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19. Subsequently, on March 19, the State Public Health Officer issued a statewide Stay-at-Home Order. On March 17, Dr. Moreno issued Monterey County's initial Shelter-in-Place Health Officer which was subsequently modified on April 3, 2020 and again on May 1, 2020. On April 14, the State unveiled its Pandemic Roadmap, a four-stage plan for modifying the State's Order, and on May 4, the Governor announced that entry into Stage 2 of the plan was imminent. On May 7, 2020, the Governor announced that the State was moving into early Stage 2 of the Roadmap and that counties could move more quickly through State 2 if they met certain criteria.
Given the size and diversity of California, it is not surprising that the impact of COVID-19 has differed across the state. While some counties are still in the initial stabilization phase (Stage 1) of the pandemic response, there are a number of less affected counties. Provided these counties are able to demonstrate an ability to protect the public and essential workers, they may be in a position to adopt aspects of Stage 2 of California's Pandemic Roadmap at a faster pace than the state as a whole. As directed by the Governor in Executive Order N-60-20, this guidance provides information on the criteria and procedures that counties will need to meet in order to move more quickly through Stage 2.
On May 8, 2020, Dr. Moreno issued a supplement to his May 1, 2020 Health Officer Order allowing additional lower-risk retail businesses and associated manufacturing and supply chain businesses to resume business with modifications. By taking this action, Monterey County was able to move into "early" Stage 2. Currently, Monterey County is at the point of wanting to further advance through Stage 2, which is permitted by the State only if counties can attest they are ready and submit to the CDPH what is referred to as the "Variance to Stage 2 of California's Roadmap to Modify the Stay-at-Home Order: COVID-19 County Variance Attestation Form".
The Variance Attestation Form is a complex submittal that sets forth "readiness criteria" that Dr. Moreno, as the County Health Officer, must certify to meeting in order to proceed at an increased pace through Stage 2 of California's Pandemic Roadmap. The form declares that Monterey County has sufficient resources in place to provide medical care for and contain a surge in COVID-19 cases that may occur as a result of accelerating through Stage 2. Dr. Moreno will be presenting Monterey County's Variance Attestation Form to the Board and explaining how the County is meeting the nine criteria: Epidemiological stability of COVID-19, Protection of State 1 essential workers, Testing capacity, Containment Capacity, Hospital Capacity, Vulnerable Populations, Sectors and timelines, Triggers for adjusting modifications, and Plan for moving through Stage 2. Dr. Moreno will also explain that letters of support have been received by our four local hospitals and local jurisdictions in Monterey County. Finally, Dr. Moreno will be asking the Board for a similar letter of support, which must be included as an attachment to Monterey County's Variance Attestation Form. Upon receipt of a letter of support from the Board, the County, by and through Dr. Moreno, will be able to submit Monterey County’s Variance Form to CDPH.
Staff are informed that once the County submits its Variance Attestation Form, CDPH reviews it and seeks responses to any questions they may have before they post it on their website <https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/County_Variance_Attestation_Form.aspx>. CDPH has been clear that they are not approving counties’ submittals, but, at the same time, counties do not have the green light to advance through Stage 2 until their submittals are posted on CDPH's website. The Health Officer plans to issue a Supplemental Order to his Health Officer Shelter-In Place Order in alignment with the Stage 2 of California’s Roadmap the same day Monterey County’s Variance Attestation Form is posted on the CDPH website.
This work supports the following Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Initiative 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention. It also supports many of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems, 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts; 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety; and 8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Health Department worked closely with the County Administrative Office, the Office of Emergency Service through its Emergency Operations Center, Office of the County Counsel, and local hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in the completion of the County’s Variance Attestation Form and required supporting documentation.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact from approving this action
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
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 and Approved by:
______________________Date:_________
Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Resolution is on file with the Clerk of the Board
Letter of Support Monterey County Board of Supervisors is on file with the Clerk of the Board
Monterey County Variance Attestation Form
PowerPoint Presentation is on file with the Clerk of the Board