MARIPOSA COUNTY DAILY STATUS REPORT

BACKGROUND: CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in 37 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
There are currently no cases of COVID-19 and no persons are being monitored as returned travelers. In adjacent counties, there are multiple cases of returned travelers with associated contacts being monitored and numerous persons under investigation being tested. That number does not include additional testing through the commercial lab system, hospitals and clinics. Although the Mariposa County Department of Public Health isn’t provided numbers on how many tests go through those systems, they will be notified of any positive tests. So far, there have been none.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mariposa County at this time, Mariposa County Public Health continues to coordinate with federal, state and local partners to further prepare us for any potential future impacts. This includes working with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor COVID-19. In coordination with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services, daily situational status calls continued today with local government agencies, schools, and healthcare professionals in our community.

The Mariposa County Department of Public Health proclaimed a local and public health emergency March 13th and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services issued a Local Emergency Proclamation on March 16 in order to help address the outbreak.

The Mariposa County Public Health Department Operations Center (DOC) was opened March 10th in order to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in and around our community. The Mariposa County Emergency Operations Center is activated at a Level 1 as of March 16, 2020.

COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH:
Within the public health system, every person who has met CDC criteria for disease within Mariposa County has been tested. Those tests have either come back negative or are still pending.

Testing has been limited across the state of California, as noted multiple times by state officials as a barrier to response. However, commercial lab systems have recently gained the capacity to test.

Public Health is actively identifying other methods to enhance testing capability for providers throughout the community and increase testing county-wide. We will continue to be notified should positive tests come through either system (public health or commercial). So far, there have been none.

There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mariposa County at this time.

GUIDELINES FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR - For more specific information on Presidential and Governor Guidelines please visit
Shelter in Place for at risk population-
• Individuals over 65 years of age
• Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like: Heart disease, Diabetes, Lung disease
• Individuals who have compromised immune systems

This guidance does not apply to people who work in essential services, such as hospital and health care workers, pharmacists, peace officers, firefighters, staff at skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, and other essential workers.

Large Gatherings
• Large gatherings that include 50 people or more should be postponed or canceled. This includes gatherings such as concerts, conferences, and professional, college, and school sporting events.
• Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled. This includes gatherings in crowded auditoriums, rooms or other venues.
• Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people. This includes gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions.
• A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.

This applies to all non-essential professional, social, and community gatherings regardless of their sponsor. Gatherings that do not meet the aforementioned criteria should only be conducted when they are essential—that is, if the activity is essential and could not be postponed or achieved without gathering, meaning that some other means of communication could not be used to conduct the essential function.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AND PRECAUTIONS:
• Coronavirus symptoms include: mild to severe respiratory illness, fever, cough and difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, individuals should stay at home to limit exposure to others.
• Persons who have recently traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, or Italy, or who have had contact with a person with possible COVID-19 infection and have the above symptoms should call their local health department or health care provider immediately.
• Do not go to your provider’s office without calling ahead. Do not call 911 for suspected COVID-19 unless you are having a medical emergency.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.
• Cover sneezes or coughs with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

COUNTIES WITH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION
The following counties in California have confirmed cases of Coronavirus acquired through community transmission and are not travel related. Yolo, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Solano, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Ventura, City of Long Beach, Orange, San Diego, Riverside.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
• Mariposa County Public Health COVID-19 Information Webpage:
     • http://www.mariposacounty.org/1592/COVID-19-Information
• Mariposa County Coronavirus Information Line:
     • 209-259-1332 or 209-966-1133
• Email COVID-19-specific questions to Mariposa County Public Health:
     • Mariposacovid19@gmail.com
• California Department of Public Health General Coronavirus Information
       CDPH General Information
• CDC Resources for Households:
     • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html
• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers:
     • https://bit.ly/2IH2G2u

For the most up to date information, please visit : www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and https://www.cdph.ca.gov/covid19.

We urge everyone to stay calm and follow all guidelines handed down through the state and local levels.

Source: Mariposa County