File #: 21-1423    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 9/22/2021 In control: County Administrative Office
On agenda: 10/12/2021 Final action: 10/12/2021
Title: Vaccination and/or Testing for County Employees
Sponsors: Elishia Hayes
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Att 1 - Other County Practices.pdf, 3. Att 2 - Legislation.pdf, 4. Att 3 - DFEH-Employment-Information-on-COVID-19-FAQ_ENG.pdf, 5. Att 4 - County of Humboldt COVID-19 Prevention Plan (CPP).pdf, 6. Public Comment 10.12.2021.pdf
To: Board of Supervisors

From: County Administrative Office

Agenda Section: Departmental

SUBJECT:
title
Vaccination and/or Testing for County Employees
end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Discuss and take action as appropriate.

Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
All county funds

DISCUSSION:
As the county prepares for the upcoming holiday and winter season, and likely surge of COVID-19 cases, county staff are seeking direction from your Board on actions to take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Last year, there was a surge in local case counts from 596 as of Nov. 1, 2020 to 2,825 as of Jan. 31, 2021. While daily reports have varied since that time, this summer there was another, more dramatic local surge in case counts from 4,588 as of July 1 to 8,380 as of Sept. 30. Since Nov. 2020, more than 80 county staff have reported exposures to COVID-19 or tested positive, with monthly case counts following trends similar to those of the community at large.

The summer surge among county cases contributed to the strain on the local healthcare system and affected the county's ability to deliver services to the community as employees were required to miss time from work to quarantine and/or recover from their exposures. Public health officials have warned about another surge of cases in the coming fall and winter seasons, and staff are seeking direction from your Board to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the county workforce and preserve delivery of essential services.

Following are potential options for your Board to consider:

Option #1
Remain Status Quo, Follow State, Federal and Public Health Regulations/Mandates/Orders
This option would have the county continue following the local masking order issued Aug. 6, 2021, and per the California Department of Public Health Officer's Aug. 5, 2021 and Sept. 28, 2021 orders, requiring healthcare workers and those who work in congregate settings to be...

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