This is alarming and we are taking action. “The rising community transmission rates we are seeing, particularly among Latinos in the Central Valley, are concerning. “The data is clear that COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Latinos in California,” said Governor Newsom. We also know that of the cases where we have no race or ethnicity data, based on surnames, local public health officials estimate that roughly 70 percent appear Latino, thus the current case numbers likely underestimate the total number of Latinos who are impacted by the virus. Statewide, Latinos make up 38.9 percent of the population but comprise a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases (56 percent) and deaths (45.7 percent). In the Central Valley, where between 41-65 percent of any given county is Latino, there are a disproportionate number of Latino deaths compared to population – for example, in Fresno County, Latinos comprise 52.6 percent of the population and 65 percent of COVID-19 deaths. In addition, the state will deploy three Unified Support Teams to these counties, which are experiencing increased cases and hospitalizations. The Governor announced $52 million for Central Valley counties – San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern – to help expand disease investigation, contact tracing and quarantine efforts. SACRAMENTO – Building on the state’s Friday announcement focusing new efforts to support California’s essential workforce, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced additional targeted actions to support the Central Valley – a region seeing concerning virus spread that is disproportionately impacting Latinos. State will deploy three Unified Support Teams to the Central Valley to provide hands-on technical assistance In Stockton, Governor Newsom Announces Actions to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in the Central ValleyĮight Central Valley counties – Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern – to receive $52 million for testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine efforts
The regulations filed today affect Title 17 of the CCR, sections 25 (PDF). The regulations, which become effective immediately, apply to all reportable diseases in California, not just COVID-19, giving the state broader insight into racial and ethnic disparities and disparities among LGBT individuals.Ĭalifornia continues to evaluate additional steps it can take to improve the collection and reporting of data both from providers and laboratories. In addition to expanding reporting requirements, today's action reminds providers that collecting and reporting this data is essential to California's public health response. Race and ethnicity data are still missing from nearly 36% of cases in California. While providers are currently required to report race and ethnicity data to the state, the information received is often incomplete. "These changes apply to COVID-19, and all reportable diseases, to help us understand their impact by race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sonia Angell, State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health.
"Complete data is essential to addressing health inequities and better designing public health interventions that save lives," said Dr. Today's action also requires labs to collect and report race and ethnicity data to the state. The regulations require providers to continue to collect and report race and ethnicity data and also collect and report a patient's gender identity and sexual orientation, so the state has more information on patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). SACRAMENTO – To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on California's diverse communities, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) took regulatory action today, which goes into effect immediately, expanding data reporting requirements for providers and laboratories. On California's Diverse Department of Public Health Takes Action to Require Better, More Timely Collection of Data on Race, Ethnicity, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation New Regulations Will Help State Understand COVID-19 Impacts