DAP Health launches new monkeypox hotline
DAP Health in Palm Springs is taking hundreds of calls each day to its new monkeypox hotline, hoping to arm the community with information regarding the spreading virus.
The hotline can be reached at (760) 656-8432. It is not for people to be put on a vaccine waiting list.
You can email questions to: MPox@daphealth.org
CJ Tobe, director of community health and sexual wellness at DAP Health, said by launching the hotline, the advocacy-based health center is looking to fill a need for critical information.
"We know that this crisis right now it’s more than a crisis. It’s impacting people who are living in fear," Tobe said. "People will contact us, DAP Health, as one of the leaders in this region with monkeypox with the accurate information."
Volunteers are standing by to get facts about the virus out there and to answer community concerns.
"We've received over 1,000 calls, emails, and messages... And people are greatly relieved," said Volunteer Coordinator Larry Naishtut. "They're really grateful to be talking to a person getting their fears and concerns responded to, heard."
Amid a short supply of vaccine with thousands locally seeking protection, DAP Health and others took out a full page ad in a Sacramento newspaper, hoping to get state leaders attention and calling for more vaccines in the Coachella Valley.
DAP Health has a list of 2,000 patients considered at high risk of contracting monkeypox, but so far the organization has only administered 800 doses.
"We're going to continue to advocate at the federal and state levels to get more vaccines to this region because that is the only way that we're going to be able to curb the spread of monkeypox," Tobe said.
