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Written by: California Department of Public Health

Published: 15 November 2022

The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, on Monday reported the first death of this winter season of a child under the age of 5 due to flu and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

Young children are most vulnerable to severe complications from RSV and the flu, especially if they have underlying medical conditions or were born premature.

To protect patient confidentiality, no additional information, including where the death occurred, is being released at this time.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this young child,” said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón. “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that respiratory viruses can be deadly, especially in very young children and infants. We are entering a busy winter virus season — with RSV, flu and COVID-19 spreading — and urge parents and guardians to vaccinate their children as soon as possible against flu and COVID-19. It’s also important to follow basic prevention tips like frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick to slow the spread of germs.”

To help address the current and anticipated further surge in hospitalizations from an early winter virus season, CDPH issued new Guidance for Response to Surge in Respiratory Viruses among Pediatric Patients.

The guidance, in part, allows health facilities to reconfigure space as needed to accommodate patient surge.

In addition, CDPH is recommending that all health care facilities, including inpatient and outpatient facilities without existing pediatric services, explore short-term measures to expand capacity for evaluation and treatment of pediatric patients.

Vaccines continue to be the most effective tool to limit the risk of severe illness and death from circulating winter viruses. Vaccinating an entire household against flu and COVID-19 helps boost immunity and lowers the risk of severe outcomes from these viruses. It will also keep hospital beds open for those who need urgent medical attention.

The 2022–2023 RSV season began earlier than usual, with activity rapidly increasing throughout October. Usually, activity rises in December and peaks in February.

On Oct. 3, CDPH released a health advisory addressing both this early activity and the use of the preventative antibody treatment palivizumab in eligible high-risk infants. An updated health advisory was sent to health facilities on Nov. 12.

Overall influenza and COVID-19 activity is increasing in California.

CDPH encourages all Californians to follow these five tips to protect themselves and others from severe illness and hospitalization:

• Get vaccinated, boosted and treated if you test positive. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines continue to be your best defense to limit severe illness and death – and you can get both at the same time. If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your doctor or a test-to-treat site immediately to seek treatment. Treatments for flu and COVID-19 work best when started soon after symptoms begin.

• Stay home if you’re sick! It’s crucial to stay home if you are feeling ill. Avoid close contact with others to protect them, and take the time you need to heal. This is especially important for respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19, which can lead to more severe illness.

• Wear a mask. There is no vaccine for RSV, so wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread and protect babies and young children who do not yet have immunity and are too young to wear a mask themselves. Wearing a mask in indoor public places is a good way to limit the spread of germs.

• Wash your hands. Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water — for at least 20 seconds, is an easy and very effective way to prevent getting sick and spreading germs.

• Cover your cough or sneeze. Remember to cough or sneeze into your elbow, your arm, or a disposable tissue to help prevent the spread of winter viruses. Just make sure to wash your hands or sanitize and dispose of your tissue after.

For more information about the flu, visit the CDPH Influenza Resource page. To find a flu or COVID-19 vaccine location near you, visit My Turn - California COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling & Notifications.

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Written by: CALTRANS

Published: 15 November 2022

Safety is a two-way street. First responders are on our state’s highways aiding people along roadsides, but also rely on safe drivers to protect them when they are clearing crashes or responding to other incidents.

To raise awareness about the safety of first responders, the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, and California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS, are joining to promote “Crash Responder Safety Week” beginning today.

Nearly every week throughout the country, a first responder is killed while helping clear a roadway crash, and many more sustain life-altering injuries.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration established this week to bring attention to the dangers of working at traffic incidents and to promote compliance with “Move Over” laws.

Crash Responder Safety Week reminds drivers to safely move over for crash responders or slow down when approaching crash scenes if it is unsafe to change a lane.

California’s “Move Over” law has been in effect for 15 years, but nearly 25% of people surveyed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety were unaware there was a Move Over law in their state.

The lives of crash responders — law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, public works, transportation, towing and other roadway workers — are put at risk due to speeding, distractions, and careless drivers.

These personnel provide critical aid as first responders and are called to duty at all hours of the day and night, in adverse weather conditions, and next to traffic moving at high speeds.

In California, from 2017 through 2021, three CHP officers were killed and 146 injured — nine severely — while on the freeway shoulder or median performing their job.

Nationally, in 2019 alone, 11 officers were struck and killed while conducting traffic stops or other law enforcement activity, accounting for 41% of all emergency responders killed on the job.

In addition, five officers were struck and killed while working motor vehicle crash scenes, and two officers were killed while assisting motorists with disabled vehicles.

Also in 2019, 14 tow truck operators and three mobile mechanics, and nine fire/EMS personnel were struck and killed by vehicles, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute.

“Each day our officers put their own safety at risk conducting traffic enforcement duties, investigating a crash, or assisting the public alongside our busy freeways statewide,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Tragically, many have been killed or injured merely performing their job. This week and throughout the year, we strive to raise awareness of these risks so our personnel return home safely to their families each day.”

“First responders work tirelessly and risk their own safety to save lives at collision scenes,” said Caltrans Director Tony Taveras. “We need motorists to do their part to protect responders by slowing down, moving over a lane, and staying alert when approaching traffic incidents.”

“First responders put themselves in harm’s way to help strangers,” said OTS Director Barbara Rooney. “But they also have loved ones who need them to come home. We want drivers to understand the risks that they take every day, and the importance of slowing down and moving over for first responders so they can do their job safely.”

Motorists should be extra careful when approaching flashing emergency lights — red, blue and amber — on stopped emergency vehicles working at roadway incidents.

Avoid distractions like phones while driving and don't drive if you're tired or have been drinking or are under the influence of any drugs.

Help protect the first responders who are working to protect you and other motorists on the highway.

For more information about Caltrans safety campaigns, visit BeWorkZoneAlert.com.

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Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS

Published: 14 November 2022

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Police Department said a woman reported missing on Sunday has been located.

Angelina Trisha Fagundo, 34, was reported overdue on the way home to Clearlake from the Vacaville area.

Police said Monday Fagundo was located.