Keeping Our Communities Safe & Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Heluna Health’s Response
Heluna Health’s program staff are on the front lines responding to COVID-19 (the illness caused by the novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2). We are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health and many other local jurisdictions supporting a comprehensive response to this global pandemic. We are focused on protecting our most vulnerable populations, as well as those who serve them.
We Can Help You Manage the COVID-19 Response
If you are a health department, government agency, or part of another organization responding to this crisis and need staffing, contact investigation/contact tracing expansion, procurement or other fiscal and administrative support, please contact us at contracts@helunahealth.org or 1.800.201.7320. We will work with you as flexibly as possible to help meet your needs.

COVID-19 Basics

Because COVID-19 is a newly identified illness, we are continuously learning more details regarding the various ways that the virus can be transmitted and cause illness. The most recent information scientists have suggests that COVID-19 mainly spreads through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about six feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. People who are physically near (within six feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection. When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.
Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than six feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space. This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission. There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than six feet away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising. *
Data has also shown that COVID-19 can be transmitted by individuals who are ‘asymptomatic,’ meaning that they do not know they are infected with the virus. The virus is quite transmissible, which means that it spreads relatively easily from person-to-person within a community. The latest updates on COVID-19 from the CDC can be found here: CDC’s webpage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to track the number of countries and territories where COVID-19 has been identified. The United States has the greatest number of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. Current U.S. data suggests that COVID-19 is impacting some communities and demographic groups disproportionately, including Black/African American and Latino individuals. Individuals at increased risk for severe illness include older adults (the older you are, the greater your risk for severe illness) and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Outbreaks involving novel viruses evolve quickly and guidance from public health officials is changing as research continues to characterize the nature and transmission dynamics of this virus.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html
Additional Resources
We have compiled a list of trusted resources below for additional information on transmission dynamics, vaccine distribution, personal protection, testing, guidance/policies and other important matters related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Please check back routinely for new resources and updates.
World Health Organization Coronavirus website
Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering Real-time COVID-19 case map
Johns Hopkins University eSchool+ Initiative Analysis of School Reopening Plans
The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus website
CDC COVID-19 vaccine safety information
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) COVID-19 Projections
National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) local health department directory
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Coronavirus website
CDPH COVID-19 vaccination information
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Coronavirus website
San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) Coronavirus website
Donate to Our COVID-19 Response Fund
As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the health and well-being of our communities, we and our program partners are working on the front lines to stop the spread of this virus in communities with the greatest need. Please join us in supporting these heroes.


Share Your COVID-19 #WhyIVax Selfie
Whether you’ve already received your COVID-19 vaccine or pledge to do so when it’s available to you, Heluna Health invites you to share the top reason you’re choosing to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Join Our Team
Interested in employment opportunities with Heluna Health? See a list of our current openings and join our team of health heroes.
