Keeping Our Communities Safe & Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Heluna Health’s Response
Heluna Health health 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 other local jurisdictions supporting the public health response to this far-reaching pandemic. We are focused on protecting our most vulnerable populations, as well as those who serve them.
Our activities range from support for increased testing, surveillance and contact tracing; dissemination of key public health messaging about COVID-19; outreach and support for vulnerable populations (including individuals experiencing homelessness); ‘surge staff’ hiring and fiscal/administrative support for public health partners; provision of life-saving social service benefits; and undertaking additional critical measures, as needed.
We Can Help You Manage Your 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 new details regarding the various ways that the virus can be transmitted and cause illness. The most recent information scientists have suggests that COVID-19 primarily spreads through close person-to-person contact with someone who is infected (within approximately six feet), typically through respiratory droplets released when a person coughs or sneezes. 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.
COVID-19 has been identified in more than 170 countries around the world. 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 elevated risk for COVID-19 include close contacts of a person with a laboratory-confirmed case of the virus, healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19, those over the age of 65, and individuals with underlying health conditions. One of the most important messages for us to remember is that someone’s nationality alone is not a risk factor for COVID-19.
Outbreaks involving novel viruses evolve quickly and guidance from public health officials is changing as research continues to charactarize the nature and transmission dynamics of this virus.
Additional Resources
We have compiled a list of trusted resources below for additional information on transmission dynamics, personal protection, guidance/policy and other important matters related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
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.
