Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for December 29 includes a warning of COVID-19 related fraud; Tips for a safe and substance-free holiday; Update on the Regional Stay Home Order; Reminder of Holiday Hours; and Updated COVID-19 Data.
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The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is published daily to share important news and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to keep the local economy running. We remain here for you.
COVID-19 Scams Are Out There: Protect Yourself from Fraud
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), predatory business practices are not going away even during one of the largest public health emergencies in modern history. Officials at the federal, state and local levels are encouraging everyone to be leery of cold calls, suspicious offers for fraudulent COVID-19 tests, grants, vaccine sign-up lists or other services.
Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, door-to-door visits and many other tactics to commit COVID-19-related scams. Fraudsters are offering COVID-19 tests, HHS grants and Medicare prescription cards in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. These services are illegal.
Tips on How to Protect Yourself (via HHS)
- Be vigilant and protect yourself from potential fraud concerning COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are free: you will not be asked for money to enhance your ranking for vaccine eligibility. Government and State officials will not call you to obtain personal information in order to receive the vaccine, and you will not be solicited door-to-door to receive the vaccine.
- Beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their personal, medical, and financial information. Medicare will not call beneficiaries to offer COVID-19 related products, services, or benefit review.
- Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
- Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in, text messages about COVID-19 from unknown individuals.
- Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites. If you make an appointment for a COVID-19 test online, make sure the location is an official testing site.
- Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone claiming to offer HHS grants related to COVID-19.
- Be aware of scammers pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your Medicare number, financial information, or attempt to set up a COVID-19 test for you and collect payment information for the test.
- If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately online or call 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
RELATED LINKS:
- Report COVID-19 Fraud
- National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Complaint Website
- 5 Things to Know About COVID-19 Fraud (HHS)
- Combatting COVID-19 Fraud (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
State Provides Update on Regional Stay Home Order
Earlier Today, California Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, provided an update on COVID-19 activity across the state, California’s collective hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and the Regional State at Home Order.
In addition, Dr. Ghaly’s update previewed how a region is released from the Regional Stay Home Order. For example, orders were set to expire today for both the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions, however, current ICU capacity for both regions is 0%. Those two regions will continue to be subject to the order’s restrictions until projections from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) show ICU capacity above or equal to 15%. CDPH’s ICU projections are calculated daily and once a region's four-week projection shows an ICU capacity of greater than or equal to 15%, the order will be lifted for that area. Therefore, while the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions remain under the order, Dr. Ghaly stressed that it does not mean they’ll remain under the order for the three full weeks.
The ICU capacity projections are based on four factors:
- current estimated regional ICU capacity available
- measure of current community transmission
- current regional case rates
- the proportion of ICU cases being admitted.
Decreasing community transmission and increasing the health system capacity can help a region's projected ICU capacity so they can exit the order.
The Bay Area region will remain under the Regional Stay Home Order until January 8 at the earliest with potential to extend depending on four-week ICU capacity projections.
New Year's Eve: Don’t Let Substance Abuse Ruin Your Holiday
Dr. Jei Africa, Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) at the County of Marin, provides a video update regarding substance abuse trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and tips to celebrate safely during upcoming holiday weekend.
If you or someone you care about is increasing their use of alcohol or other substances during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few resources that can help answer questions and connect you to care:
- Call Marin’s 24/7 Behavioral Health Access Line: 1-888-818-1115
- Kaiser Permanente members can contact Kaiser’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine & Recovery Services: 415-491-3000
- For a full listing of local substance use treatment providers, visit RxSafeMarin.org/Resources
Holiday Schedule for COVID-19 Updates
Some of our services will pause this week in observance of the New Year holiday. Here’s an overview:
- COVID-19 Call Center: Closing at 1pm on Thursday, December 31; closed January 1-3, reopening Monday, January 4 at 9:30am.
- Data and Surveillance Webpage: no updates on December 31 and January 1, but updates will resume on January 2. However, the data snapshot found on https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org homepage will continue to update every day.
- Marin County COVID-19 Status Update: will pause on Thursday and Friday in recognition of the holiday, but will be back in your inbox on Saturday, January 2.
COVID-19 Data Update:
Below is a summary of today’s data now available on Marin Data & Surveillance webpage. View the page for a broader range of data, plus interactive graphs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Data analysis is available by age range, gender, race and city/town/geographic region. Questions about the data? See our Data FAQ or contact us.
COVID-19 activity in Marin:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
Total Confirmed Cases |
7,422 |
+ 47 |
Total Recovered (14 days post-diagnosis) |
6,547 |
+ 84 |
Total Deaths |
111 |
1 |
Total / Cumulative Hospitalizations |
238 |
+ 2 |
Tests Conducted Among Marin Residents |
251,644 |
+ 1,749 |
Current Hospitalization Data:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations |
28 |
+ 4 |
Current COVID-19 ICU Patient Census |
9 |
+ 1 |
ICU Availability – Bay Area |
10.4% |
+ 0.9 % |
Residential Care & Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 activity:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
Positive Patients at Facilities cumulative |
576 |
+ 6 |
Positive Patients at Facilities current |
46 |
- 5 |
Positive Staff at Facilities current |
77 |
+ 1 |
Facility Patient Deaths |
92 |
0 |
Facility Patient Deaths as percentage of all COVID+ deaths |
83% |
- 1 % |
.
State COVID-19 activity:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from yesterday |
California Confirmed Cases |
2,187,221 |
+31,245 |
California Deaths |
24,526 |
+242 |
Stay Informed
Follow the County of Marin on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor or subscribe to our status updates. Visit MarinHHS.org/coronavirus for resources to stay connected on the issue.
Helpful Links and Online Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Tests
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Face Coverings & Masks
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Donation Options
- Business Reopening Guidelines
- Archive of past status updates
Contact Us. We Are Here for You.
Have questions? We are here to help: contact our COVID-19 Response Team. Alternatively, you can contact the statewide COVID-19 Hotline 7 days per week by dialing (833) 422-4255 for general information about state COVID-19 resources. If you’re looking for medicine, medical attention or have a medical related question, please contact your primary care provider or local health clinic. As a reminder, please only call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Spread the word: How your friends and family can receive these updates:
- Text "MARIN COVID" to 468311 to receive text message notifications
- Subscribe online to receive email notifications
- Tweet & share this update with your friends on Twitter!