UCI Health News

July 29 | 2021

A message from the CEO

UCI Health will reimplement its universal masking policy, effective Aug. 1.

The decision to reinstate the policy is based on the current upward trend in COVID cases in our region. The policy is also in alignment with Tuesday’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated guidance on masking and Wednesday’s updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health. According to the CDC, in order to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant, they recommend that unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people wear masks when in an area of substantial or high transmission. Orange County currently has very high transmission.

While the vaccine is highly protective against severe disease, breakthrough mild disease with the Delta variant is occurring. With community unmasking, breakthrough can be as high as 35 percent if you have a close exposure. Although it was not too long ago that UCI Health announced guidance for vaccinated versus unvaccinated co-workers, we have seen an uptick in cases for both vaccination statuses, further proving the need for universal masking.

To keep everyone safe at UCI Health, all co-workers, faculty, trainees, volunteers, visitors and vendors must follow the protocols below:

Mask while indoors and outdoors. Masking while indoors or outdoors, except for when eating, is reinstated in all areas of UCI Health premises. This includes non-patient care areas and all breakrooms, workrooms and conference rooms, regardless of vaccination status.
Do not work when ill. If you are symptomatic you are required to call UCI Health Occupational Health for obtaining a COVID test and clearance to return to work.
Get a rapid test if you are symptomatic. Rapid co-worker testing, which launches Aug. 1 at UCI Medical Center (24/7 stat testing) and Aug. 15 (Monday-Friday, same day testing) at Gottschalk Medical Plaza, will be available for your convenience. Stat results may take up to four hours and negative results will be released through your UCI email. Even if you do not have COVID, you must receive clearance from occupational health to return to work. Additional details will be announced soon. If you received a COVID test outside of UCI Health, you must notify occupational health and remain home while awaiting test results.
Undergo daily health screening. All co-workers, faculty, trainees, volunteers, visitors, and vendors must continue to screen daily for symptoms of illness prior to entering UCI Health premises.
Get vaccinated. Vaccination is still among the top ways you can stay protected. UCI Health is still offering vaccines to all co-workers. If you have been vaccinated outside of UCI Health, please provide documentation to occupational health. Please note, the UC COVID vaccine policy is active.

In addition to the guidance above, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its guidance for face coverings, recommending mask use for indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. To protect yourself and others during personal time away from UCI Health, CDPH and the OC Healthcare Agency recommends the following:

Avoid large crowds
Wear a mask if around people of unknown vaccination status, especially indoors
Mask around someone at risk for severe COVID disease
Mask in public places and social events if you have unvaccinated loved ones at home, including children < 12 years of age

In the past two weeks, UCI Health alone has seen more than 30 co-worker cases, which have been determined as contracted from community social events (e.g., bars, breweries, social gatherings, travel or sick household contacts who attended social events). In addition to contracting the virus, many have continued to work while ill and have exposed patients and co-workers. To avoid the spread of the virus, and a potential surge in cases, UCI Health must do all it can to take preventative and precautious measures to ensure everyone that visits our facilities are safe. Please remember to keep all UCI Health infection prevention protocols top of mind as you care for our patients and socialize with your co-workers and loved ones, for everyone’s safety.

Thank you for your cooperation and for keeping the safety of all our co-workers, patients and our community a top priority.

Sincerely,

Chad T. Lefteris
CEO, UCI Health

Take Advantage of UCI Wellness Services Today

The UCI Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, completely confidential benefit to support all UCI and UCI Health employees, retirees, and their dependents provided by ComPsych Guidance Resources. EAP provides services such as:

Confidential emotional support
Work-life solutions
Legal guidance
Financial resources
Online support

All UCI Health co-workers have access to these resources with no program enrollment or registration required. Take advantage today; your health and well-being are important to us and the community you serve.

See Program Offers

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Contact Tracing and Notifications & Status

200 S. Manchester, STE 650

7/19/21 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

DUH Main OR, FQHC Santa Ana OBGYN, 2T L/D Resident Work Room, ED, L/D OR Suite, DH76, DH78

DUH Main OR
- 7/18/21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- 7/20/21 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 7/22/21 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
FQHC - Santa Ana Family Center/OBGYN
- 7/19/21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- 7/21/21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Building 1A L/D Resident Work Room (outside 2T)
- 7/19/21 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
- 7/20/21 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
L/D OR Suite
- 7/23/21 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
ED
- 7/20/21 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- 7/23/21 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
DH76/78
- 7/23/21 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

COVID-19 Status: