The Alameda County Public Health Department sends out Health Alerts, Advisories, and Updates regarding communicable disease outbreaks, immunization updates, and other public health concerns to Alameda County clinicians and other partners. See recent releases below.
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Advisory
ADVISORY | provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. |
April 28, 2021 |
Advisory |
Revised Reporting Requirements for Suspect Variant SARS-CoV-2 Infections The purpose of this Health Advisory is to inform clinicians in Alameda County about the changes in reporting for Variants of Concern, including: (1) Definition of Vaccine Breakthrough Cases of Interest (VBCIs) and (2) Deletion of specific quarantine requirements for close contacts of persons with VOC infections. This advisory was updated April 27, 2021. |
April 21, 2021 |
Advisory |
Reporting cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of J&J vaccine On April 21, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued the following Health Advisory: Pause in administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; Reporting of cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following receipt of J &J COVID-19 vaccine, as well as other adverse events following vaccination, should be reported to the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). |
April 13, 2021 |
Advisory |
Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine On April 13, 2021, the CDC issued the following alert about cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia after receipt of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Please see the full CDC Health Alert at the following link: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00442.asp The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a similar alert through the CAHAN (California Health Alert Network) Disease Notification. |
February 22, 2021 |
Advisory |
Interim Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Health Care Personnel CDC has recently released additional quarantine guidance for persons fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) has updated Health Officer Order 20-06 (Blanket Isolation/Quarantine Order) to align with CDC recommendations, and developed the attached interim guidance for quarantine among vaccinated health care personnel. |
December 02, 2020 |
Advisory |
Influenza and Respiratory Illness 2020-2021 The Health Advisory is designed to help Alameda County clinicians prepare for the influenza season, which generally occurs from November through April. This Health Advisory outlines several actions requested of Alameda County clinicians, emergency departments, pathologists and healthcare facilities. |
July 07, 2020 |
Advisory |
FDA Issues Warning About Hand Sanitizer Containing Methanol On July 5, 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Health Advisory indicating that serious adverse events have been observed in persons using methanol-based hand sanitizers. The CDC advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer that has been recalled by the FDA due to the potential presence of methanol, a “toxic alcohol”, as an active ingredient. Methanol can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed. Currently, most of the recalled products are manufactured in Mexico. |
June 17, 2020 |
Advisory |
Updated COVID-19 Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements for Alameda County Positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for current SARS-CoV-2 infection — not antibody or antigen tests — must be reported to the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). This Advisory updates reporting requirements for Alameda County Providers and Laboratories. |
June 17, 2020 |
Advisory |
Updated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Updated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements for Alameda County In accordance with a recent CDC health advisory and as first discussed in the 5/20/20 ACPHD Health Advisory, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 is reportable to Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). This Advisory updates reporting requirements for Alameda County Clinicians, Emergency Departments, Pathologists, and Healthcare Facilities. |
May 21, 2020 |
Advisory |
Discontinuation of COVID-19 Transmission-Based Precautions Guidance for Alameda County Patients and residents at Acute Care Hospitals and Long Term Care Facilities in Alameda County with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection must be isolated or in an appropriate cohort using Transmission-Based Precautions for the duration of their infectious period. Federal guidance for removal of Transmission-Based Precautions offers several different strategies to determine the end of the infectious period. This Advisory describes the criteria that must be met to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions for patients and residents with suspected or confirmed infection with COVID-19, including individuals who have been diagnosed with asymptomatic infection. |
May 20, 2020 |
Advisory |
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 is now reportable to Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). Report cases meeting CDC’s case definition for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) within 24 hours to the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) at (510) 267-3250, Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5 pm. After hours and on weekends, call Alameda County Fire Dispatch at (925) 422- 7595 and ask to speak to the Public Health Duty Officer on call. Laboratory results must be reported by Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR), fax or secure email within 24 hours. Please make sure to report as completely as possible, including race and ethnicity information. |
May 13, 2020 |
Advisory |
Resumption of Non-Urgent Health Care Services in Alameda County As Alameda County continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, providers and facilities are encouraged to gradually resume full scope of services when possible and safe to do so, based on California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) guidance. |
May 12, 2020 |
Advisory |
Updated COVID-19 Testing Guidance for Alameda County The following updated guidance for COVID-19 laboratory testing is intended to inform Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) efforts to control the epidemic and aid decision-making by clinicians and other testing providers. The guidance sets out groups that should be prioritized for testing but it is not a requirement to test in these groups. Testing decisions and policies must be flexible to account for ongoing limitations in testing resources and protective equipment. Clinical judgment should be used to guide testing of symptomatic persons. ACPHD typically issues additional testing guidance for certain settings and situations, including outbreaks. |