Welcome to the OC Health Care Agency's (HCA) press release webpage, which includes copies of our most recent releases as well as an archive of those issued by this department since 2004.
Official press releases are distributed by our Communications team, part of the Health Policy, Research & Communications unit, within HCA. To contact us, call (714) 834-2178 or email HCAComm@ochca.com.
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January 12, 2021
Individuals without appointments, even if they are within an eligible group, are urged not to come to the Disneyland Resort Super POD vaccination site without an appointment.
January 12, 2021
County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau today announced that all Orange County (OC) residents ages 65 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
December 31, 2020
Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced that California has opted in to the federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership. At no cost to the state or local government, CVS and Walgreens will administer the Pfizer vaccine to residents and staff in long-term care facilities.
December 29, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce that recruitment is now open for one seat on the CalOptima Board of Directors.
December 18, 2020
County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau issued two Health Officer’s Orders this week:
1) New Health Order to Help Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly: As of December 16, 2020, all residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) must cancel all communal dining and indoor communal activities within 24 hours of when a resident and/or employee is diagnosed with COVID-19.
December 16, 2020
COVID-19 is increasing at alarming rates in California and Dr. Clayton Chau, County Health Officer and Director of the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), urges community members to do their part to slow the spread of this virus in Orange County (OC).
December 15, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency will deploy mobile field hospitals (MFHs) to local hospitals this week to support the Orange County (OC) health care system as it responds to a surge in COVID-19 patients. OC hospitals may receive emergency waivers from the California Department of Public Health to request the use of the MFH facilities.
December 08, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched phase 2 of its at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program with Ambry Genetics for all Orange County residents.
December 08, 2020
County of Orange health officials were notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on December 1, 2020 that the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) should make preparations to receive 25,350 doses of Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine on December 15, 2020.
December 02, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is launching a student-driven, app-based platform – bplucky – that will offer teens a diverse collection of features with creative outlets and access to mental health resources.
November 28, 2020
World AIDS Day is December 1. In recognition of World AIDS Day and the 2020 campaign theme, “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact,” the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) recognizes the key role that our local communities have in the AIDS response.
November 24, 2020
New ad campaign urges residents to think about family members this holiday season. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other seasonal holidays upon us, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is reminding Orange County residents to avoid usual large family gatherings this year in order to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their neighbors from the spread of COVID-19.
November 23, 2020
Holidays usually mean gathering with friends and extended family, attending parties, hosting dinners, traveling, and celebrating time-honored customs. But some holiday activities promote congregating and mixing of households, which increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
November 5, 2020
Marketing, Advertising and Outreach Planned to Help Orange County Residents. Recognizing the stresses that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having on OC residents, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is launching three new mental health awareness campaigns in the coming weeks – the first is aimed at reducing the stigma in support of wellness and recovery and the other two are focused on suicide prevention.
October 22, 2020
With many teachers, parents and students struggling with changing school re-opening models, the OC Health Care Agency is offering a fun, creative contest for Orange County students to enter with the chance to win needed technology supplies for their schools.
October 19, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” Saturday, October 24 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.
October 13, 2020
October 15 marks National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
September 25, 2020
A bat found along a brick wall in between 1500 and 1600 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road in the City of Orange, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at around 4 p.m., has tested positive for rabies.
September 17, 2020
With flu season now upon us, the OC Health Care Agency is already anticipating the potentially devastating effects of a double whammy of influenza and COVID-19 cases hitting in the fall and winter months and urges everyone to get a flu shot.
September 16, 2020
The first human death associated with West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Orange County has been confirmed this week by OC Health Care Agency officials. The case is an elderly male resident of Garden Grove who died with WNV infection complications.
September 3, 2020
The National Weather Service is forecasting elevated temperatures for Orange County over the next few days, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat.
September 1, 2020
A new blueprint for business sector re-opening was unveiled by Governor Newsom on August 28, 2020, which includes a color-coded, tiered system that will use two metrics to measure the novel coronavirus: spread rate and test positivity percentage.
August 20, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is launching a new public service campaign designed to save lives by spreading positive vibes – not COVID-19 throughout the community.
August 19, 2020
OC Health Care Agency (HCA) officials have recently confirmed Orange County, California’s first pediatric death related to COVID-19 - a female in her teens with significant underlying medical conditions.
August 17, 2020
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat.
August 13, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today announced a new advertising and community outreach campaign encouraging Orange County residents impacted by COVID-19 to care for their mental health by reaching out and seeking support. Specifically, the campaign directs residents to free County of Orange resources available to the community including those listed on www.ocgov.com/covid and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Warmline (877-910-9276) for immediate mental health support.
August 10, 2020
A child under the age of 18 years was diagnosed last week with West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, and was hospitalized but is recovering. This is the first human WNV infection identified in Orange County this season.
July 30, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today announced a new advertising and community outreach campaign to encourage Orange County residents to be vigilant in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 by protecting themselves and others.
July 24, 2020
A bat found on the entrance of the AT&T store at 131 E. Katella Ave. Suite #20 in the City of Anaheim on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at around 11:15 a.m. has tested positive for rabies.
July 1, 2020
Effective immediately by order of the State, the following sectors will be closed in Orange County: Indoor Dine-in Restaurants, Indoor Wineries and Tasting Rooms, Indoor Family Entertainment Centers, Indoor Movie Theaters, Indoor Zoos and Museums, Indoor Cardrooms, Indoor and Outdoor Bars.
June 22, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has closed all of the Huntington Harbour bay water area in the City of Huntington Beach due to a sewage spill caused by a cracked force main. The affected bay water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
June 18, 2020
Posing the question, “Could it be COVID?” The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) this week launches a multifaceted community outreach and advertising initiative aimed at the county’s most vulnerable populations – people who can’t get COVID-19 testing from their health care providers or may not have insurance.
June 12, 2020
On Friday, June 12, 2020, Dr. Clayton Chau, Acting County Health Officer, will approve the re-opening of certain additional industries in Orange County, California, following his review of local epidemiological data including cases per 100,000 population, rate of test positivity, and local preparedness to support a health care surge, vulnerable populations, and contact tracing and testing.
June 11, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Environmental Health Division has closed the ocean water from Sleepy Hollow Lane to Cleo Street in the City of Laguna Beach to swimming, surfing, and diving due to a raw sewage spill.
May 28, 2020
In light of recently-issued industry guidance by the California Department of Public Health and Cal-OSHA regarding places of worship and hair salons, the County Health Officer today issued amended Health Officer's Orders and strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County as more businesses move toward re-opening. They revise and supersede the May 23, 2020 Orders and recommendations.
May 23, 2020
The County Health Officer today issued a new Health Officer’s Order and additional strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County as more businesses move toward re-opening.
May 15, 2020
Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement to add more than 80 community-testing sites focused on underserved communities across the state, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to launch four new testing sites in the cities of Buena Park, Orange, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano.
April 21, 2020
Effective at 12 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, all employees of any grocery store, pharmacy/drug store, convenience store, gas station, restaurant, food preparation establishment, or retail store in Orange County who may have contact with the public must wear a cloth face covering while at work.
April 21, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the OC COVID-19 Testing Network, which offers COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday, April 21, 2020 to Orange County residents who meet the criteria detailed below.
April 2, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce the selection of Jason Austin, MA, LMFT as the new Director of the Office of Care Coordination (OCC).
March 3, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Public Health Laboratory today confirmed two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, a man in his 60s and a female in her 30s with recent travel to countries with widespread transmission.
February 28, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued the 2020 Award of Excellence to 3,463 Orange County food facilities to recognize local businesses for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2019.
February 22, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today issued a statement of support for the City of Costa Mesa’s legal action, taken yesterday, to temporarily halt a plan by state and federal agencies to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a location to quarantine individuals from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
February 03, 2020
If you get prescribed opioids, you may end up wishing you hadn’t. Opioid misuse and addiction can affect anyone; fortunately, there are other ways to help manage pain. That’s the message behind a new County of Orange campaign that launches this week.
January 25, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
January 21, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce that recruitment is now open for the CalOptima Board of Directors. A County-organized health system, CalOptima serves more than 750,000 low-income children, adults, seniors and persons with disabilities. CalOptima was formed in 1995 in response to a healthcare system that was struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable Orange County residents. Today, CalOptima has grown to be the single largest health insurer in Orange County, and has stayed true to its mission of providing members with access to quality health care services.
January 13, 2020
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed Orange County's first influenza-related death this season in a person under 65 years of age. An adult male resident of Tustin who had underlying health conditions died of complications related to influenza B infection.
January 02, 2020
On behalf of the Orange County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), the OC Health Care Agency announces the availability of the 2020-22 Orange County Health Improvement Plan for public review and comment at www.ochealthiertogether.org through January 20, 2020. The plan lays out assessments, goals, objectives and strategies for six priority areas over the next three years.
December 27, 2019
The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis with coordination and support from the California Military Department from Monday, December 30th at 6:30 a.m. to Tuesday, December 31st at 6:30 a.m. to provide shelter and protection to residents experiencing homelessness during the predicted rain.
December 24, 2019
The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis with coordination and support from the California Military Department from Wednesday, December 25th at 6:30 a.m. to Friday, December 27th at 6:30 a.m. to provide shelter and protection to residents experiencing homelessness during the predicted rain.
December 03, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today released the “Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Orange County, CA” report, available online at www.ochealthinfo.com/about/admin/pubs/opioid.
December 02, 2019
The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis with coordination and support from the California Military Department from Wednesday, December 4th at 6:30 a.m. to Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 a.m. to provide shelter and protection to residents experiencing homelessness during the predicted rain.
November 29, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Environmental Health Division has received confirmation from the City of Laguna Beach that necessary repairs have been made to the broken force main at Ben Brown Golf Course and the raw sewage leak that began November 27, 2019 was contained as of 12:15 p.m. today.
November 28, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Environmental Health Division yesterday closed the ocean and bay water areas from Pelican Point at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach to the Poche Beach interface in Dana Point/San Clemente due to a raw sewage spill.
November 27, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Environmental Health Division has closed the ocean and bay water areas from Pelican Point at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach to the Poche Beach interface in Dana Point/San Clemente due to a raw sewage spill of approximately 4 million gallons.
November 27, 2019
The Environmental Health Division of the OC Health Care Agency advises swimmers that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, close to storm drains, and the outlets of creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms.
November 26, 2019
The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton is operating on a 24-hour basis with coordination and support from the California Military Department, today through Friday morning to provide shelter and protection to residents experiencing homelessness during the current and predicted rain.
November 1, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today released the "2014 – 2018 Suicide Deaths in Orange County, California" report, available online at www.ochealthinfo.com/suicidereport, which analyzes data sourced from the State of California’s Department of Public Health Death Statistical Master File and Vital Records Business Intelligence System.
October 25, 2019
A bat found on the grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano at 26801 Ortega Highway, in the City of San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at around 12:15 pm has tested positive for rabies.
October 22, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” Saturday, October 26 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.
October 11, 2019
October 15 marks National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
October 10, 2019
A bat found alive near the entrance of Kohl’s department store at 12345 Seal Beach Blvd. in the City of Seal Beach on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at around 8 p.m. has tested positive for rabies.
October 8, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed our county’s first case of influenza A in a Cypress man, signaling that flu season is officially here.
October 8, 2019
The Orange County Board of Supervisors today issued a resolution recognizing the official launch of StigmaFreeOC.com in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency and the OC Mental Health Board.
September 26, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health division has closed the bay water area at North Star Beach due to a sewage spill. The spill of approximately 750 gallons was caused by a sewer main blockage in the City of Newport Beach.
September 26, 2019
A bat found alive in a parking lot located at 1250 N. Red Gum St. in the City of Anaheim on Wednesday, September 21, 2019 around 8:30 p.m. has tested positive for rabies. Four rabid bats have been identified in Orange County in the last two weeks; this is the third within the City of Anaheim. While this recent increase is unusual, rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country. Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.
September 25, 2019
A bat found at the north entrance of a commercial building located at 4332 E. La Palma Ave. in the City of Anaheim on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at around 4 p.m. has tested positive for rabies.
September 21, 2019
A bat found inside the bike rental shop at Irvine Regional Park at 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869 on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at around 1:30 p.m. has tested positive for rabies.
September 18, 2019
A bat found at the east entrance of a commercial building located at 1188 N. Euclid St. in the City of Anaheim on Friday, September 13, 2019 at approximately 3:45 p.m. has tested positive for rabies.
August 30, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency's (HCA) Environmental Health division has lifted the harbor water area closure encompassing Anaheim Bay, Sunset Aquatic Marina, Portofino Cove, Anderson Street Marina, Mother's Beach, and Admiralty Drive in the City of Huntington Beach. There are currently no water quality warnings or advisories in Huntington Harbor. Laboratory analysis of water samples collected yesterday confirms that the water meets acceptable standards.
August 29, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency's Environmental Health division has closed the harbor water area encompassing Anaheim Bay, Sunset Aquatic Marina, Portofino Cove, Anderson Street Marina, Mother's Beach, and Admiralty Drive in the City of Huntington Beach due to a sewage spill. The spill of approximately 60,000 gallons was caused by a sewer main blockage in the City of Stanton.
August 23, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed that a female teenager traveling internationally from New Zealand to Southern California (Orange County and Los Angeles County) from August 11 through August 15, 2019 was infectious with the measles.
August 19, 2019
A Tustin woman in her 50s was diagnosed this week with West Nile Virus (WNV) fever. She is the first human WNV infection identified in Orange County this season.
July 02, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has been approved for up to $18 million over three years from the State Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to fund the Behavioral Health System Transformation Innovation (INN) Project.
June 25, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency's (HCA) 2017 and 2018 Ocean, Harbor & Bay Water Quality Report is now available online and provides an analysis of bacteriological water quality data over a 19-year period for Orange County's ocean recreational waters.
June 24, 2019
June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, which promotes testing and early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. This year's theme, Doing It My Way, is a call to action that encourages people to get tested for HIV in a way that is best for them. At the end of 2018, there were 6,369 individuals living with HIV in Orange County and by estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an additional 893 residents have HIV and don't know it – some of whom will develop AIDS before realizing they are HIV-infected.
May 20, 2019
In celebration of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 19-25, 2019, the OC Health Care Agency recognizes Orange County's EMS (OCEMS) System and its network of first responders (fire, ambulance, marine safety and law enforcement), dispatchers, hospital personnel and medical professionals for their dedication and commitment in providing day-to-day life saving services to the community.
May 04, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the second case of measles in 2019, an infant under the age of 1 who is too young to have been vaccinated and is currently hospitalized. This case has no history of international travel. The infant was seen at the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) emergency department while infectious.
April 30, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first case of measles in 2019, a resident of Placentia in her 20s who reported recent international travel to one of many countries currently experiencing widespread measles activity. The individual is considered infectious between April 23 and May 1, 2019 and is currently under voluntary isolation at home.
April 18, 2019
OC Health Care Agency (HCA) officials have recently confirmed a pertussis-related death in an infant. The case is the first pertussis-related death reported in Orange County, California since 2007. "We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and send our condolences to the family," said Dr. Nichole Quick, Interim County Health Officer.
April 17, 2019
A bat found at the north entrance of a commercial building located at 1021 N. Tustin Ave. in the City of Anaheim on Friday, April 12, 2019 at approximately 5:30 p.m. has tested positive for rabies.
April 12, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on "National Take Back Day," Saturday, April 27 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.
February 23, 2019
Information provided by the Regional Water Quality Control Board – Santa Ana Region (SARWQCB) indicates that several chemicals have been detected in subsurface and indoor air samples at 1000 E. Katella Avenue in the City of Anaheim.
February 21, 2019
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Inland Orange County beginning at 10 p.m. this evening to 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. Overnight temperatures in some areas will dip to the low 30s.
February 14, 2019
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued the 2019 Award of Excellence to 3,239 Orange County food facilities to recognize local businesses for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2018.
February 06, 2019
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Orange County coastal and inland areas beginning at 10 p.m. this evening to 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.
January 31, 2019
The Environmental Health Division of the Health Care Agency advises swimmers that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, close to storm drains, and the outlets of creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms.
January 17, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed Orange County's first influenza-related death in a person under 65 years of age this season.
January 09, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency's Environmental Health division has closed the ocean water area in the City of Laguna Beach 250 feet upcoast and 250 feet downcoast from the projection of Upland Road due to a sewage spill.
January 04, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency's Environmental Health division has closed the bay water area from Bayside Drive Beach to China Cove due to a sewage spill.
