Note: Updated April 14th, 2020 Total Cases: 579,005 Total Deaths: 22,252 States with highest number of cases reported: New York: 195,081 New Jersey: 64,584 Massachusetts: 26867 Michigan: 25635 Pennsylvania: 24199
A weekly surveillance summary of U.S. COVID-19 activity. The report summarizes and interprets key indicators including information related to COVID-19 outpatient visits, emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths, as well as laboratory data.
Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 Response – Summary for the week
Here’s a recap on the Governor’s updates last week:
California lent 500 ventilators to the national stockpile to be deployed to the states that urgently need them the most. This is on the condition that if the state of the outbreak in California worsens and there is a need, we will get ventilators back. The state has over 11,000 ventilators that will serve Californians needs as it stands.
Here’s where those ventilators were distributed to:
100 New York
100 New Jersey
50 Maryland
50 Washington, D.C.
50 Delaware
50 Nevada
Gov. Newsom said that efforts to flatten the curve are working, pushing the peak use of resources back, and enabling the state to build up ICU and hospital capacity before the peak number of cases hits. Efforts to build up resources are on schedule as California works to support the healthcare system. Newsom urged Californians to continue to practice diligent social distancing and to stay at home. Projected peak number of cases and use is expected for mid-May.
Phase 1 of the state’s COVID-19 response is concentrated on procurement of essential resources including increasing care capacity by 50,000 beds. Phase 1 will continue through month of April and will work on increasing “place, people, and PPE (personal protective equipment)”. This includes transforming Sleep Train Arena in Natomas to a care facility to hold 400 beds.
The governor signed an executive order April 7th making the sales to or purchases by the State of PPE exempt from sales taxes. Read the text of the executive order.
Gov. Newsom signed another executive order April 7th to allow IHSS caseworkers to continue their work to be able to care for older adults, people with disabilities, and children.
Gov. Newsom announced a new program to provide health care workers in contact with COVID-19 patients with hotel rooms at little to no cost. He also announced a partnership with United Airlines to provide free airfare for qualifying members of the California Health Corps.
The state is also increasing unemployment benefits to add an extra $600 weekly. California has processed 2.3 million unemployment insurance claims in the last month.
Important resources and websites to bookmark:
(833)544-2374 – COVID-19 Hotline
Call 211 to be connected to local resources
Onwardca.org -if you are unemployed and looking for a job
healthcorps.ca.gov – if you are a health care professional that can help
CCCC Joins “Stay Home. Save Lives. Check In.” Initiative
As we navigate these difficult times together, we have joined Governor Gavin Newsom’sStay Home. Save Lives. Check In campaign to combat social isolation and food insecurity during this COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign urges all Californians to take a pledge to check in on those over 65, especially those with underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell, hemophilia and other chronic conditions/diseases by calling or texting to make sure they’re okay. Be sure to take the pledge at EngageCA.org/CheckIn to check in, and to learn more about how you can support the older and at-risk adults in your life. It is important that we all feel connected, and have the food, medicine and anything else needed to stay home and keep safe from COVID-19. If you are someone who needs help, please call 2-1-1 or go to 211.org or aging.ca.gov.
Legislative Actions Nationwide
While what we know about COVID-19 is still evolving, you can read about the latest federal, state, and regulatory policies related to COVID-19. Check out the timeline on state and federal legislative actions on COVID-19 on our MyPatientRights.org blog.
Update from California Legislature
The Assembly Budget Committee shared an update on what the advocacy community can expect in the next few months.
The Committee will not be able to assess revenue and damage to economy until August.
It will no longer be able to consider new priorities from stakeholders and advocates if not related to COVID-19, wildfire prevention, or homelessness funding.
The Assembly will revisit the budget and defer deliberations on special fund programs until after June 15th. Read the Memo
In a joint statement issued April 9th, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D- San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced that both bodies are planning committee hearings on the COVID-19 response before the full Legislature returns to the Capitol.
Patient Assistance Programs
Family Voices of California Launches Coronavirus Resources
Get credible, up to date information for your family all in one place. Visit the online toolkit for resources for families of children with complex medical needs. Be sure to share with friends and loved ones that may find it useful!
Medicine Assistance Tool
PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool, or MAT platform provides patients, caregivers and health care providers with information to help them connect to financial assistance programs for the medicines patients need. Coronavirus Resources
AbbVie
MyAbbVie Assist, AbbVie’s patient assistance program, helps patients who qualify get free AbbVie medicine.
BMS is helping ensure patients can get the medications they need by making all branded BMS medicines free for U.S. consumers who have lost their insurance. Consumers can call (800) 721-8909 to see if they qualify to get help. Learn more here.
In response to the crisis caused by COVID-19, Lilly is introducing the Lilly Insulin Value Program, allowing anyone with commercial insurance and those without insurance to fill their monthly prescription of Lilly insulin now for $35. They encourage consumers who need help to call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at (833)808-1234 between 8AM – 8 PM ET.
Sanofi
Sanofi offers presriptions at no cost for patients who qualify through income requirements. Visit Sanofi Patient Connection
