On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors led a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors to update the county on the protective measures that county agencies have been taking to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in Orange County.
Updates were provided on the steps being taken by the OC Health Care Agency who confirmed the following:
- 502 confirmed cases as of 3/31/20
- ventilator availability at 809
- 80 people on average are being tested daily through the public health lab
- 78 trailers were delivered to the county to assist with the homeless population
The board also coordinated with the HCA to discuss progress on the development of new secure locations to protect the homeless population. Also discussed were potential alternative care sites in the case of a surge, including Fairview Developmental Center.
The OC Sheriff’s Department updated the Board on the status of OC Jails, while the Social Services agency informed the board that in addition to their dedicated staff, 108 individuals have volunteered to feed and assist elderly, homeless and low-income families. Lastly, OC Community Resources announced that over 2,600 more meals have been delivered to seniors and provided an update on financial relief to businesses and residents as well as employment opportunities for individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of the crisis.
“Our county agencies are working tirelessly to provide support, aid and ensure essential services are being provided to our residents,” said Chairwoman Steel. “It is imperative that we continue to offer as much support as possible to protect our residents not only from contracting this virus, but also from the economic fallout that has come along with it.”
Additionally, today Chairwoman Steel sent letters to the California state legislative delegation requesting critical respirator and medical equipment, N95 masks for law enforcement agencies and for public health and medical teams to be assigned to homeless shelters in the county.
First elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2014, Michelle Steel represents the residents of the Second District, which includes, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley. Steel, a successful businesswoman and renowned taxpayer advocate, previously served as Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization where she represented more than eight million people in Southern California, including all of Orange County, as one of the state’s 12 constitutional officers.