[EDC Health & Human Services]
Updated - March 17, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
Current Status:
El Dorado County health officials and agency partners are closely monitoring the outbreak of novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) [Redacted].
El Dorado County - As of March 17, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County
California - As of March 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, there were 472 positive COVID-19 cases in California and eleven fatalities. For the latest California information - Click here
United States - For national information about COVID-19 - Click here
Although El Dorado County does not currently have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, El Dorado County has declared a Public Health Emergency to ensure appropriate resources and funding are available to the County in its response to COVID-19. The declaration also allows the County to provide or receive mutual aid from other jurisdictions.
See Declaration / Press release
Gatherings:
On March 11, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statewide directive about public gatherings to slow potential spread of COVID-19. The State is asking that this guidance be implemented across California through at least the end of March, and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has weighed in with even stricter guidance on gatherings. The current recommendations are as follows:
Postpone or cancel large gatherings of 50 people or more
Postpone or cancel smaller gatherings that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person
State Guidance for Older Adults and Those at Elevated Risk to Self-Isolate
On March 15, 2020, CDPH issued statewide guidance for older adults and individuals who are at higher risk for serious illness, asking these individuals to self-isolate:
Individuals over 65 years of age
Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung cancer
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.
EDC Older Adult Programs & Gatherings Temporarily Canceled:
As a precaution, and in line with CDPH's guidance, El Dorado County (EDC) Older Adult Services is temporarily canceling some programs and gatherings:
Programs to be canceled/postponed through at least the end of March
As of March 16, 2020, the EDC Older Adult Day Services (The Club) in Placerville and El Dorado Hills will temporarily suspend the program
As of March 16, 2020, all non-essential services, meetings and group gatherings at the Placerville Senior Center will be cancelled or postponed.
As of March 18, 2020, all Senior Nutrition congregate meal sites will be closed for dine-in lunches. Meals will be available for pick-up only, by reservation, at designated congregate meals sites. Seniors may reserve a meal for pick-up by calling (530) 621-6160. See flyer for list of pick-up sites and instructions.
Programs and services that will not be affected
Placerville Senior Center will remain open to provide essential community services such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and Weatherization Programs, In-Home Supportive Services - Public Authority, Senior Legal Services, HICAP, Senior Peer Counseling, Family Caregiver and Support Program, Long Term Care Ombudsman, and Senior Information & Assistance Programs.
The Senior Nutrition Program will continue to operate the Home Delivered Meal Program to serve more homebound older adults in the County.
See press release for further details regarding these changes. For questions, call (530) 621-6369 or (800) 510-2020.
Schools:
On March 14, 2020, El Dorado County Office of Education announced that public El Dorado County schools will be closed during the week of March 16 through 20, 2020. See press release for more information and a list of school closures.
What is COVID-19:
COVID-19 is a virus that can cause respiratory symptoms similar to seasonal flu, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some people have no symptoms. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), while COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. There are several types of coronavirus; COVID-19 is only one (recently identified) type. Most people who become ill from coronaviruses that circulate in the U.S. recover on their own. Some people, particularly those with underlying health problems, the elderly or those with severe symptoms, may require more intensive medical care.
How to Protect Yourself:
The best ways to protect yourself and others from any virus, including seasonal flu and coronaviruses, are:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Stay home from work or school if you're sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes
If you have mild symptoms, there may be no need to go to a medical facility to see a doctor
If you're sick enough to seek medical care and think you have any respiratory illness, including COVID-19, it's important to call the medical facility before arriving and follow directives to avoid exposing others
Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. Your doctor will make the decision about whether to test. It's important to remember that not every person with symptoms needs to be tested.
If you work in an office, you can post this flyer (English / Spanish) as a good prevention reminder for everyone
What is El Dorado County Doing to Prepare for COVID-19:
El Dorado County Public Health and agency partners are actively monitoring reports about COVID-19, and taking steps to respond if a case is identified in the county. Public Health and partners are frequently participating in statewide conference calls and receiving situation updates and guidance from CDPH; sharing guidance with local healthcare providers, other County agencies and organizations; reviewing local emergency preparedness plans; and sharing resources. Agency partners are also coordinating with CDPH and neighboring counties, and participating in regional meetings to ensure a coordinated response.
Local partners include the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Emergency Services, Emergency Preparedness and Response, local hospitals and health care facilities, schools and others.
El Dorado County Public Health is also coordinating with local healthcare providers and monitoring people deemed to be low, medium and high risk of possible exposure to COVID-19. Risks are assigned based on travel history and possible exposure to someone confirmed to have the virus. Individuals in the County who fit the criteria above are coordinating with Public Health to monitor their health and potential symptoms. Public Health is following CDC guidance regarding how to assess individuals, and when to conduct a COVID-19 test. Some individuals, based on CDC criteria, may not be tested. All tests for COVID-19 conducted in El Dorado County to date have been negative.
Testing:
Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. Testing for COVID-19 is being done and is available in El Dorado County, but individuals must meet the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria in order to be tested.
Although the risk of transmission remains low for the general public, notify your healthcare provider if you have one of the following risk factors:
Recent travel to mainland China, Italy, Iran, Japan and South Korea (within the last 14 days) and having respiratory symptoms
Close contact with a person confirmed through a laboratory test to have COVID-19
Local healthcare providers are following CDC guidance about how to assess individuals, and when it's appropriate to conduct a COVID-19 test. It's important to know that some individuals, based on CDC criteria, may not need to be tested or fit the criteria for testing.
Masks:
At this time, it isn't recommended that healthy people wear masks. However, masks are recommended for people who are sick with respiratory symptoms to prevent the spread of viruses. If you're sick with a fever and respiratory symptoms that require you to seek medical care, you'll likely be asked to wear a mask at the healthcare facility.
Where to Learn More:
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Information for Healthcare Professionals
El Dorado County Healthcare Provider Advisory Re: Testing
Guidance Documents:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:
Community Care Facilities, Including Assisted Living Facilities and Child Care
People at Risk for Serious Illness
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater
Employers, Health Care Workers and Workers in General Industry
Entertainment Venues
First Responders, Including Paramedics and EMTs
Food Industry
Event and Gathering Guidance
Homeless Assistance Providers
Individuals with Access or Functional Needs
Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans
Health Care Facilities from Cal/OSHA
Health Care Facilities, Including Long-Term Care Facilities
Health Care Plans
Coverage Options
Home Cleaning with COVID-19 Positive Individuals
Laboratories
Schools and institutions of higher education
Long-Term Care and Adult and Senior Care Facilities
For Questions:
For the quickest response, residents in El Dorado County are encouraged to use the 211 El Dorado service for questions about COVID-19. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages across the County:
- Dial 211 on your phone to speak to a live operator
- Text your zip code to 898211
If 211 operators are unable to answer your question, you may send an email to El Dorado County Public at EDCCOVID-19@edcgov.us (Please note that this email is for non-urgent questions. In an emergency, please call 911)
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El Dorado County Press Releases
