About Coronavirus/Flu/RSV
California is experiencing a tripledemic.
COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have hit the state hard. California hospitals have seen distressing numbers. The amount of patients with COVID-19 has jumped, and hospitals are seeing similar trends with influenza and RSV.
The rising case numbers led to shortages of over-the-counter medicines at some pharmacies, as people bought the products faster than stores could replace them. COVID-19 continued to spread, along with the flu and RSV, creating a three-pronged perfect storm.
This tripledemic affected school and work attendance, travel plans and, of course, hospitals. It threatened to overwhelm health care centers and limit patient access to essential care.
Despite these challenges — more children needing care because of RSV, rising flu cases, and the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — hospitals continued their life-saving work to care for patients.
As California’s hospitals continue their life-saving work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital associations continue to advocate on behalf of hospitals and their patients, in addition to offering these tools and resources:
Streamlining data with the COVID-19 Tracking Tool
Frequently asked questions
COVID-19 Surges: FAQs & Resources for Hospitals
State and federal advocacy efforts
Innovation in the Time of COVID: A Video Series
Planning for the End of the Public Health Emergency
Gov. Newsom Issues Vaccine Mandate for Certain Health Care Workers
In response to the surge of new COVID-19 infections due to the new Delta variant, on Aug. 5 Gov. Newsom issued a health officer order to require COVID-19 vaccinations in specified health care settings, including all general acute care hospitals (GACHs), acute psychiatric hospitals, and skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs). This requirement comes after a growing number of hospital […]
Testing Resources Available for Additional COVID-19 Testing Needs, Informational Video, Antigen Testing, and Testing Task Force Office Hours
The COVID -19 State Testing Task Force has resources available for those seeking additional testing resources. This short video describes how to initiate a partnership with the state testing task force to obtain additional testing resources.
State Issues Public Health Officer Order on Hospital and SNF Visitation
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a second public health officer order today requiring GACHs, SNFs, and intermediate care facilities to either: (1) verify that indoor visitors are fully vaccinated, or (2) verify documentation of a negative COVID-19 test. The health order includes the following requirements:
As COVID Cases Rise, Safety of Patients, Health Care Workers Is Paramount
Gov. Newsom Issues Vaccine Mandate for Certain Health Care Workers
In response to the surge of new COVID-19 infections due to the new Delta variant, Gov. Newsom today issued a health officer order to require COVID-19 vaccinations in specified health care settings, including all general acute care hospitals (GACHs), acute psychiatric hospitals, and skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs). This requirement comes after a growing number of hospital systems […]
CDPH Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Testing for SNF Personnel and Residents
In a follow-up to the July 26, public health order addressing unvaccinated workers in high-risk settings, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued updated guidance to skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs).
Testing Supplies Available Through MHOACs and COVID-19 Testing Task Force Website
To implement the state public health officer order released July 26, hospitals and health systems may need to add testing for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated workers. The state of California has made available several resources to assist with creating additional testing capacity.
New All Facilities Letters on Public Health Officer Order Provide Clarifications
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released additional clarifications on the state public health officer order on unvaccinated health care workers that was released on July 26. These clarifications are contained in All Facilities Letter (AFL) 21-27 for general acute care hospitals (GACHs), AFL 21-28 for skilled-nursing facilities, and AFL 21-29 for acute psychiatric hospitals. Key clarifications in the AFLs include: […]
California Congressional Delegation Urges HHS Secretary to Immediately Release Provider Relief Funds
On Aug. 2, 40 of the 53 members of the California congressional delegation sent a bipartisan letter to Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra calling for the immediate release of the remaining Provider Relief Funds to hospitals and providers.
New All Facilities Letters on Public Health Officer Order Provide Clarifications
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released additional clarifications on the state public health officer order on unvaccinated health care workers that was released on July 26. These clarifications are contained in All Facilities Letter (AFL) 21-27 for general acute care hospitals (GACHs), AFL 21-28 for skilled-nursing facilities, and AFL 21-29 for acute […]