by Maria Elena De Guevara, County Director of Human Resources
COVID-19 remains a part of our daily
lives. The highly contagious Omicron variant makes up about 80 to 90% of the new COVID 19 infections in the US and
in Santa Barbara County. In an effort to best protect all members of our
County community, a group of County leaders have been meeting regularly to
review COVID-19 trends, and update our response plans. Having reviewed
recent testing
data which shows a County positivity rate of 26.6% and in the interest of maintaining a safe working environment for our employeesm the following decisions have been made. These are important, but temporary,
steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. Read on for details.
Absences
As a dedicated staff member, you play a key role in providing services to our community. However, if you are exposed or test positive we ask that you notify your supervisor and follow recommended protocols that apply to your circumstances. We remind you that you may use Sick Leave, Vacation and/or Holiday accruals to be paid for any time you need to be absent from work for COVID related reasons that affect you and your families. Additionally, if you are a new employee, you may have immediate access to first year vacation accruals for COVID related absences.
On January 10, 2022, the Governor called for a COVID response package to include “new legislation to implement supplemental
paid sick leave policies given the current situation being driven by the
Omicron variant to better protect our frontline workers.” However,
specific details on this have not as of yet been delineated. We will keep
you posted on new developments in this area.
County services
County services to the public will continue. However, there may be modified schedules and an enhanced emphasis on employee
remote work schedules wherever possible over the next several weeks. Please check with your supervisors and department management.
Meetings & events
All meetings and events should comply with
the following:
- The County continues to encourage virtual participation in meetings where possible.
- See CDPH guidance (https://covid19.ca.gov/safely-reopening/ - updated 1/5/22) and PHD’s Health Officials AB 361 Social Distance Recommendation (https://publichealthsbc.org/health-officer-orders/ - Sept. 2021)
Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen the community has the ability to slow the spread of COVID-19 by taking concrete actions to promote health and safety. We ask for your help by:
- Obtaining your COVID-19 vaccination as well as your
booster vaccination as soon as you are eligible.
- Participating in the County COVID-19 testing
program if not vaccinated.
- Wearing masks indoors at all times.
- N95, KN95, or KF94 masks have been identified as offering the best protection against the Omicron variant.
- An N95 mask only needs to be fit-tested if wearing an N95 mask specifically is required for your job.
- Do not use masks with valves, and always make sure your mask fits securely over your mouth and nose.
- More information can be found at https://publichealthsbc.org/
- Washing or sanitizing hands frequently throughout the
day.
- Practicing good cough and sneeze hygiene.
- Avoiding crowded indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Isolating at home and not coming to work if you have
symptoms or have tested positive.
Please
visit the Public Health information Portal https://publichealthsbc.org/
for the most up to date information regarding testing, case rates as
well as other critical information regarding Omicron in our county.
I am grateful to all of our staff who continue to adjust in response to changing conditions and continue to keep the interests of our community as a top priority. Stay healthy and let’s take care of one another so we can get through this together.