As COVID-19 guidelines continue to shift, we want to ensure that IHSS providers have the latest available information and resources. This pandemic is overwhelming and difficult for all of us, but we are thankful to have each other—and our union—so that we can fight together for a better tomorrow. See below for some important updates.
New booster vaccine mandate
As of Dec. 22, 2021, it is now mandatory for some IHSS and WPCS providers to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Under the updated requirements, providers will be required to get a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine by Feb.1, 2022, or within 15 days of becoming eligible for a booster if not yet eligible as of Feb. 1, 2022. The mandate only applies to IHSS or WPCS providers who care for a non-family client or a client who does not live with them.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are free to all. Register for a COVID vaccine or booster appointment at myturn.ca.gov or call the California COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for assistance.
For more information on exceptions, visit the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website.
Free COVID-19 tests
Free, at-home COVID-19 tests rolled out on January 18 and can be ordered through the USPS website at special.usps.com/testkits. Every U.S. residential address is eligible to order four rapid COVID-19 antigen tests for free from the U.S. Postal Service, which will begin shipping tests in late January. Order your tests today:
- Limit one order per residential address
- One order includes four (4) individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Orders will ship free starting in late January
Fighting back against omicron
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of the omicron variant, which is contributing to a massive uptick in COVID-19 cases in California and across the country.
While transmission numbers are rising, we have the tools to fight omicron: vaccines, masks, and testing. Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. Masks continue to offer protection against all variants. The CDC recommends wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status. For advice about masks and the types of masks that may be right for you, visit cdc.gov. Lastly, tests are the key to early detection and slowing transmission. Visit your local health department’s website or check out your county in the list below to look for the latest local information on testing.
Please also continue to wash your hands thoroughly and often, use social distancing, and limit time spent with those outside your household as much as possible.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the CDC’s guidelines to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
For detailed information regarding quarantining if you test positive, visit the updated CDC website, here.
For 10 things you can do to manage your COVID-19 Symptoms at home, click here. For languages other than English, click here.
Caring for someone sick at home
Advice for caregivers in non-healthcare settings
If you are caring for someone with COVID-19 at home or in a non-healthcare setting, follow this advice to protect yourself and others. Learn what to do when someone has symptoms or when someone has been diagnosed with the virus.
*Note: Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for developing more severe illness from COVID-19. People at higher risk of severe illness should call their doctor as soon as symptoms start.
Seek emergency medical attention if someone is experiencing any of these signs*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility; Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Heroes Pay for IHSS providers
Last September, the current administration increased funding for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and thanks to our advocacy, it includes funding to give IHSS providers Heroes Pay: a one-time payment of $500 to any provider who worked a minimum of two months between March 2020 and March 2021. The state has started disbursing the funds, which they are calling “Care Economy Payments” and payouts should be completed by Jan. 28, 2022. If you believe you are eligible and have not received your payment by mid-February, please let us know!
UDW’s Member Benefits Center is here for you
We are here as a resource to all members during these ever-changing and tumultuous times. Call us at 1-800-621-5016* Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Our Member Resource Center can:
- Connect you with local testing or vaccination facilities.
- Inform you about local PPE, food, diaper, and other distributions in your community.
- Help you navigate any issues you are having with IHSS.
If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, feel free to call us to request PPE and other supplies or assistance.
*Services available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
REGIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES
District 1: San Diego County
Vaccine Information
- Sites by location: Click here.
County of San Diego COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Flyer – Printable English Version
Folleto de sitios de vacunación COVID-19 del condado de San Diego – Version imprimible en Español
Information for Your Appointment – Printable English Version
Información para su cita – Version imprimible en Español
Testing information
What to do if you have COVID-19: Click here. [En Español, aquí]
District 2: Orange County
OC COVID-19 HOTLINE: (714) 834-2000
The OC COVID-19 Hotline is available to answer questions about vaccine-related issues, including booking appointments, or assistance with transportation. Live operators are available Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (714) 834-2000.
HEALTH REFERRAL LINE: (800) 564-8448
Call the referral line for any medical questions. COVID-related health tip handouts are also available.
Vaccine information:
- The OC Health Care Agency is scheduling vaccines through the Othena.com platform (and apps). Residents can also visit other sources to find vaccination locations convenient to them. See county list here.
Testing information:
- Order self-collection test kits here.
- For COVID-19 testing resources, you can check with your healthcare provider or any the following resource
State of California Visit: covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/#how-to-get-tested |
COVIDClinic.org Visit: www.covidclinic.org Call: (877) 219-8378 Email: info@covidclinic.org |
Latino Health Access Call: (714) 805-7838 |
District 3: Riverside County
If you need assistance registering for a vaccine or booster appointment, call one of the agencies below:
- Riverside County Department of Public Health – (951) 358-5000
- Inland Empire 211 – dial 2-1-1
- Riverside County Office on Aging – (877) 932-4100
Vaccine information:
Testing information:
Transportation:
Riverside Connect (formerly Special Transportation) Riverside Connect is a city-owned and operated paratransit service that provides disabled residents and seniors age 60 and over transportation to destinations within the city limits of Riverside including free rides for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. To reserve your ride call (951) 687-8080 More info: www.Riv-Connect.com
Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce The Coalition for Black Health and Wellness will provide free rides to ANY resident to COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Reserve your ride: (951) 823-0175 or visit website More info: https://riversidecountybcc.org/
District 4
Alpine
- For COVID-19 testing resources, you can check with your healthcare provider or the following resource:
- State of California: covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/#how-to-get-tested
* For assistance in booking your vaccine appointment, call MyTurn at 1-833-422-4255.
Madera
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your local vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For information regarding local testing locations, click here.
Mariposa
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of local vaccination locations, click here.
* For assistance in booking your vaccine appointment, call MyTurn at 1-833-422-4255.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Merced
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of local vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Mono
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your local vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Stanislaus
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
For additional community and healthcare vaccine providers*, click here.
*Appointments are not managed by the County and are subject to provider vaccine supply and appointment availability.
Testing Information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Find additional testing locations on the state’s interactive map.
Tuolumne
Public Health COVID-19 information line: 209-533-7440
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For your counties, most up-to-date information, click here.
Vaccination information:
- Tuolumne County Public Health, Sonora Adventist Hospital, and most pharmacies are now providing free vaccinations. Everyone 12 years of age and older are eligible. All services are now linked through the California state website, myturn.ca.gov
Testing information:
- The state testing site at the Mother Lode fairgrounds is open Sundays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays, 7a.m. to 7p.m.
- The Groveland testing site is open on Thursdays. It is located at the Groveland Youth Center, 18950 Highway 120, 7 -a.m. to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123.
District 5
Kern
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
San Luis Obispo
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here. If you need assistance registering, please call (888) 634-1123.
For additional resources, visit your county website.
Santa Barbara
COVID-19 questions?
Call 211 or (800) 400-1572
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
District 6
Butte
For all local information regarding vaccination and testing sites, click here.
Need transportation? Using B-Line to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine (blinetransit.com)
El Dorado
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
- To register for an appointment, people can visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1-888-634-1123. Walk-in appointments may be available.
Nevada
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
- Testing is available for anyone, whether or not you have insurance. You must pre-register and schedule an appointment at https://www.lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1-888-634-1123.
- For assistance scheduling, a COVID-19 test, contact 211 Connecting Point at 1-833-DIAL211 to speak to a local call specialist.
Placer
For local resources and information, visit www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus/testing
Call 2-1-1 for telephone assistance to schedule testing and/or vaccine/booster appointments, including transportation resources.
Vaccine information
- Click here for appointment and clinic information.
Testing information
- If you need help making an appointment for a COVID-19 test, please call 888-634-1123.
- To explore Placer County testing sites click here.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available weekdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., in Roseville at the Maidu Activity Center at 1960 Johnson Ranch Drive and Truckee at the Old Gateway Center at 10990 Donner Pass Road. Appointments can be scheduled online at https://lhi.care/start – walk-ins welcome.
click here to explore Placer County testing options
Plumas
Vaccine information:
- Check myturn.ca.gov on a regular basis for open clinics.
- Call the CA COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa-Su 8AM-5PM) for assistance with MyTurn.
- The following local Pharmacies are also offering COVID-19 vaccinations:
- Lassen Drug – Chester, CA (530) 258-2261
- RiteAid – Quincy, CA (530) 283-1809
- Quincy Pharmacy – Quincy, CA (530) 283-4545
- Portola Village Pharmacy – Portola, CA (530) 832-4218
- Find your locals vaccination locations, click here.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Sierra
Local COVID-19 information hotlines
Sierra County COVID-19 Email
California COVID-19 Hotline: 833-544-2374, available every day, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Plumas Sierra Crisis line: 877-757-0029, available 24/7
Vaccine information:
- For a full list of your county’s vaccination locations, click here.
- Sierra County Vaccine Support Hotline: (530)419-5084, available
Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Testing information:
- For a full list of local testing locations, click here.
Sutter
Vaccine information:
- Appointments are available through Sutter by calling (844) 987-6115 and press 2 to speak with a representative or signing in to My Health Online. Call center is open Monday – Friday , 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- For appointments at Memorial Hospital Los Banos, call (209) 710-6333, or at Sutter Lakeside Medical Practice, call (707) 262-5088.
- Check myturn.ca.gov for more availability.
Testing Information:
- Optumserve testing location
1425 Veteran’s Memorial Circle, north parking lot
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Phone registration can be completed at (888) 634-1123
- Please also see All OptumServe Regional Testing Site Locations – English for additional OptumServe testing locations.
Learn how to obtain a copy of your vaccination records by click here.
District 7: Imperial County
COVID-19 Hotline: (442) 265-6700
Vaccine information
- Imperial County Clinic Schedule: Click here.
Testing information
- Brawley Public Library Del Rio Branch and Community Center: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hours of Operation for Mobile Testing Unit: 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- For a full list of the Imperial County testing sites, click here.
- Additional testing sites continue to be available in Imperial County at several private healthcare providers and pharmacies. For a list of additional test sites, please click here.
- Click on the following link to schedule an appointment: https://lhi.care/covidtesting