CDC, California: Widespread Influenza Activity
From ModVive.
According to the CDPH, surveillance indicators show a steady increase of influenza activity, and is now considered to be widespread. California typically sees an increase in flu cases between late December and early January, with a peak between February and March.
PDC avoids sanctions
From the Porterville Recorder.
A settlement has been reached between the state Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Public Health that will avoid cuts in funding to three developmental centers, including the one in Porterville. John Dexter, chief of the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program, notified The Recorder Thursday morning that plans to begin the decertification process at Porterville, Lanterman and Fairview, will not go into effect today.
Beach Radiation NOT From Fukushima, Officials Say
From the Santa Cruz Patch.
The radiation reading on a recent YouTube video showing high levels of radiation on Surfer’s Beach in El Granada using a Geiger Counter are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) not attributable to Fukushima, according to a report from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Officials, advocates at odds over handling of caregiver abuse cases
from the Center for Investigative Reporting
Officials from the California Department of Public Health and long-term care advocates clashed today at an Assembly oversight hearing over regulators’ ability to process complaints of abuse against nursing assistants. They couldn’t even agree on the number of abuse allegations that have yet to be investigated.
Evon Lenerd, a state health department official whose branch oversees investigations into caregiver abuse, said the state has a backlog of about 700 complaints that are more than a year old. But Patricia L. McGinnis, the executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, said she had received private assurances from people within Lenerd’s professional certification branch that there were nearly 10,000.