IMPORTANT Summer 2024 Update: The CDC is tracking the new Omicron KP.2 aka “The Flirt” variant of COVID. As of May 17th, 2024, the JN.1 variant still dominates but KP.2 is close behind in nationwide statistics. DMC is providing important information links to keep our highest at-risk community of people with disabilities and older adults educated and informed.
Older adults age 65+ as of March 2024 are eligible for a second booster as recommended by your physician if you are immunocompromised, ahead of the upcoming fall 2024 boosters, even if you had a booster in fall of 2023.
Learn about all variants here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
Learn about COVID JN.1 Variant here: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html
Learn more about the COVID + RSV + Influenza respiratory illness combination here: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/activity-levels.html
Learn more about RSV here: https://www.ochealthinfo.com/rsv
2024 Updates to Testing, Vaccines and Treatments:
For current OC’s COVID Resources: CLICK HERE
In 2021, Long COVID was recognized as a disability and is recognized under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are 500,000 people living in Orange County who are disabled (which accounts for a portion of that number who do not realize Long COVID is a disability). The COVID-19 pandemic grew the disability community with the number of positive cases at the end of 2023 YTD positive cases exceeding 800,344 cases in total (which continues to grow) but are not being tracked YTD in 2024, many individuals in this data are those whom now live with Long-COVID.
Long Term COVID Effects: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/
Caregivers to People with Long COVID: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/care-post-covid.html#other
American Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/guidance-long-covid-disability/index.html#footnote10_0ac8mdc
For State of CALIFORNIA Tracking CLICK HERE:
This number continues to grow weekly, despite several rounds of vaccinations being made available to the public. This is due to the fact people with disabilities, those with pre-existing conditions and older adults are the highest risk, as are those with underlying illnesses, those most vulnerable with recent injury/surgery recovery, immunocompromised individuals, those who have had COVID before experiencing complications and many others. For numerous members of the community – there has to be a new way of living life due to this risk, and those who are new members of the disability community.
The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on core services and serves as hub organization with many referral resources, programs, and partners.
We believe information is power and are sharing the below vital resources available:
Communication Resources
- General Tool Kit for People with Disabilities https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/humandevelopment/covid-19/toolkit-for-people-with-disabilities.html
- Resources in Braille: https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid/braille
- Easy to read resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/easy-to-read/index.html
- Accessible Word & PDF Documents: https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid/accessible
- Resources in American Sign Language (ASL): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J
- Print, video and social media materials for people with Intellectual/Developmental disabilities (Toolkit): https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/humandevelopment/COVID-19-Materials-for-People-with-IDD.html
- Information for People with Certain Medical Conditions https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
- How Do I Find a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster?: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html
- Guidance for Vaccinating Older Adults and People with Disabilities: Ensuring Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Access: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/older-adults-and-disability/access.html
- Guidance for Vaccinating Older Adults and People with Disabilities at Vaccination Sites: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/older-adults-and-disability.html
- Vaccinating Homebound Persons With COVID-19 Vaccine (Clinical Considerations): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/homebound-persons.html
Resources for Schools
- Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html
List of COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
COVID_Resource List_Disabilities
