By Stephanie Kanowitz
Mar 04, 2021
Through its Whole Person Care (WPC) program, Riverside County, Calif., is using data analytics to help keep probationers off the streets and out of the emergency room.
When prisoners are released from incarceration, they visit with a probation officer and a nurse, who screen them for substance abuse, physical and behavioral health as well as social services and housing needs. The nurse then makes referrals based on those needs, and the county tracks how well those interventions work at keeping probationers healthy and sheltered. The program, led by the Riverside University Health System (RUHS), has screened almost 12,000 people since it started in October 2017.
Vernon Street in Roseville, Calif. on March 5, 2020.
Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
Placer County is in dire COVID-19 straits: Cases are at an all-time high and the seven-day positivity rate is nearly 13%.
But unlike counties in similar circumstances, Placer County has no local public health emergency in place and has no plans to implement one.
The county board of supervisors terminated its existing public health order in September, as the number of positive cases leveled off and hospital capacity improved.
Bonnie Gore, Placer County supervisor and board chairperson, says the actions of residents matter more than an official emergency order.
“I will continue to encourage residents to take precautions like wearing a face covering, limiting mixing with those outside their household, and keeping social distance,” she wrote in an emailed statement. “A health emergency proclamation has not proven to significantly impact the adherence of our residents to these precautions.”
Sacramento region s ICU capacity falls below 15%. COVID stay-at-home order coming
Sacramento Bee 12/10/2020 Tony Bizjak, Jason Pohl, Michael McGough, and Dale Kasler, The Sacramento Bee
The Greater Sacramento region will be placed under the state’s strictest shutdown order Thursday night, just before midnight, state health officials said.
The new restrictions will require all restaurants to close outdoor dining, and will force barbers, hair salons and nail salons to shut doors. Retail outlets will be required to limit customers to 20% capacity at a time. Residents will be asked to remain at home except to go to essential jobs or to do basic chores.