County Council Accepts $24 Million for COVID-19 Response in High-Risk Populations, Receives Vaccine Survey Results | News

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Today the county board of supervisors received the results of a new local survey with details of why some remain reluctant to get vaccinated and agreed to invest $24 million in federal money to support the COVID-19 response in at-risk communities.

First, the board received an update on COVID-19 rates in San Diego County.

The number of local COVID-19 cases has increased in the past few weeks, increasing the case rate from 1.9 cases per 100,000 residents on June 15 to 3.7 cases per 100,000 residents now. The number of daily cases rose to 355 on July 12 and has been at 200 or more in the past seven days.

“We are now seeing double the number of cases reported a month ago,” said Wilma Wootin, MD, MPH, the county public health officer. This has resulted in a 46% increase in hospitalizations and a 10% increase in ICU admissions in the past few weeks. We expect further increases in ICU admissions as they lag behind the trend in cases and hospitalizations.”

Cases of the COVID-19 variant are also increasing. Ten variables were identified in the region, four of which were classified as variables of concern, including the delta variable. So far, 107 cases of the delta variant have been reported in the region.

Vaccine Survey Results

The board also received an update on the second county-wide Vaccine Confidence Survey. The survey was conducted between June 13 and 24 to identify the most common concerns among residents who are reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The survey identified three focus areas:

County residents who received their first COVID-19 vaccine and delayed their second dose. Residents who are reluctant to get vaccinated because they feel they don’t have enough reliable information San Diegans who are resistant to the vaccine

Populations who reported not likely to be vaccinated were more concerned about potential side effects of vaccines. Another common concern was that the vaccine was developed quickly.

The survey also showed a gap between race/ethnicity and gender lines. Nearly half of the men who responded to the survey said they were likely to eventually get vaccinated, while only a third of the women planned to be vaccinated. About half of all respondents of color said they were likely to get the vaccine, while nearly two-thirds of white respondents said they were unlikely to do so.

Survey results were shared with the medical community last week to better help clinicians and providers address patients’ concerns about vaccinations. The county is customizing messages, creating tools, and working with partners to increase access to information in areas with low vaccination rates.

More funding to fight COVID-19

The board also voted to accept more than $24 million in federal funds to respond to COVID-19 in communities and communities at risk.

Funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be used to develop and implement strategies to improve the local response to COVID-19 and the ability to prevent through testing, tracing, and vaccination in underserved and at-risk populations for COVID-19, including racial and ethnic minorities and people who live in rural communities.

The District COVID-19 Health Disparities Project, a collaboration with community partners and contracted service providers, will help improve public health data systems and access to health and social services, reduce health disparities and expand health equity in vulnerable populations and communities.

In addition, the board authorized the acceptance of $4.5 million in state funding to expand the CHW model to work with local community groups to provide assistance with COVID-19 vaccination, communications and outreach.

The council also took another step on a spending plan to provide housing, direct payments and legal assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.

Another goal is to expand San Diego’s transitional housing safe haven program, which is designed around the board’s harm reduction strategies to reduce negative consequences associated with drug use. The expansion of the program will cost about $4.6 million and calls for three separate sites with up to 25 beds.

The county will also evaluate options to develop a plan to provide direct stimulus payments to children and young people living with foster families.

Additionally, today’s measure allows the county to expand $10 million in legal services for those facing eviction, and $5 million in coordinated eviction prevention services.

These actions are in line with the District’s Live Well San Diego vision by expanding vital behavioral health services to vulnerable populations and taking further action to continue to ensure that individuals and families throughout the district have access to housing and other services to support their health and well-being.

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