Agenda - 09-01-20; 4-f - Update on COVID-19 Response and Funding Allocations

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 1, 2020 Action Agenda Item No. 4-f SUBJECT: Update on COVID-19 Response and Funding Allocations DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1) County Department Operational Status Summary Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 PURPOSE: To receive an update on the County's response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the use of supplemental State and Federal funding. BACKGROUND: Since March, all County operations have been adjusted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. County employees have been asked to work from home if possible, and those employees who are reporting to a physical work location are providing services using new protocols and procedures to minimize person to person contact and avoid potential exposure to COVID-19. A summary of the current operational status for each County department is included as Attachment 1. The Health Department has guided the County's response efforts. At a policy level, the Health Department has provided recommendations on local regulations, general public health protocols, personal protective equipment, and re-opening strategies. At the clinical level, the Health Department has executed communicable disease protocols and case investigations and organized community testing events. The Department has led the County's public information and education campaign by producing daily text messages and social media content, maintaining a Countywide website and dashboard, and issuing weekly newsletters. The Emergency Services Department has coordinated emergency support functions through the Emergency Operations Center. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated on a continuous basis since March 9, 2020. The EOC has responded to over 1,012 resource requests from municipal and community organizations and provided over 121,000 items. Emergency Services has also facilitated daily briefings for key staff members, organized a multi- jurisdictional information sharing meeting, and through the Emergency Support Functions, the Department has supported direct services related to food distribution, community testing, hotel occupancy for the homeless population, and continues to track, report, and request federal reimbursement for related expenses through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This update focuses on the application of supplemental State and Federal resources designed to respond to the pandemic. These allocations are included in Budget Amendment #1 which is on the consent agenda for the September 1 meeting. This report does not include direct