Latest COVID-19 Information From Tuolumne County Health Officials

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Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County Health officials released the Tuesday update that provides testing numbers while noting that there is still no confirmed case in the county.

Below is the latest information provided by the county:

*Tuolumne County testing numbers include only those routed through Public Health to a Public Health Laboratory. The numbers do not include those routed through a commercial laboratory. Total positive numbers include all tests submitted to both Public Health Laboratories and commercial laboratories.

The most recent updates are here.

Local Activations & Declarations:

• PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 CALL CENTER: Public Health has activated a call center that will go live on 3/18/20 at 9 a.m. The call center will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The call center phone number is 209-533-7440. We still encourage community members to call the Adventist Health COVID-19 Advice Line at 844-542-8840 with questions or concerns about visiting an Adventist Health clinic or hospital, but phone calls with other questions or concerns may be made to the Public Health COVID-19 Call Center.
• The Public Health Department has activated its Department Operations Center (DOC) to most effectively respond to the COVID-19 incident, including communication and coordination with our federal, state, and local partners.
• Dr. Eric Sergienko, acting Tuolumne County Health Officer, has declared a local health emergency in order to enhance the effectiveness of the response to COVID-19, to seek and utilize mutual aid, potentially obtain reimbursement, and ensure that the County’s public health professionals and providers have all necessary resources to provide quality care and keep our community safe.
• Dr. Sergienko issued a revised Health Officer Order on 3/17/20 (applicable until 4/30/20) regarding gatherings (summarized in Mass Gatherings section below). Please see the attached Health Officer Order.
• The Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, declared a local state of emergency on 3/17/20.

COVID-19 Testing:

• Testing is being conducted at the discretion of health care providers in the community, based on their clinical assessment and current recommended guidance
• Tests that will be conducted through the Public Health laboratory system are coordinated with our Public Health Department
• Testing is available through Quest laboratories with a health care provider’s order. These tests are not required to be communicated through the Public Health Department, but our local providers are strongly encouraged to do so
• Any positive test result must be reported to the Public Health Department

Community Agency Updates:

• We would like to include relevant updates from agencies that serve the community (e.g., the Senior Center is closed but they are offering drive-through lunch pick-up). Please submit updates to PHPIO@co.tuolumne.ca.us by noon each day for your update to be included in this daily email update.
• Senior Center
  • The Senior Center at 540 Greenley Road will be closed until further notice
  • The Senior Center will have meals available for pick-up only at 540 Greenley Road in Sonora. Lunches will be made available to current Intake Congregate Clients and by reservation only.
  • Current lunch participants who would like to reserve a lunch should call 209-533-2622 by 9 a.m. that morning
  • For more information, click here.
  • The Meals on Wheels Program is continuing service as usual
  • The Sonora, Jamestown, and Groveland Congregate lunch sites have ceased on-site serving
• ATCAA
  ATCAA has made some changes to their services. Please review the attached letter from ATCAA.

Mass Gatherings:

Per the 3/17/20 Tuolumne County Health Officer Order (applicable until 4/30/20):

• All events that have more than 50 participants shall be canceled or postponed to such a time as this Health Officer’s Order has lapsed
• All events that may have fewer than 50 participants where it is not feasible to maintain social distances of six feet shall be canceled or postponed to such a time as this Health Officer’s Order has lapsed
• Gatherings for those who are at high risk of severe illness, such as those older than 65, those with existing heart or lung disease, and those with diabetes, shall not exceed more than ten participants who are at high risk
• Issuance of assemblage permits and facility use permits shall be canceled
• View the CDPH Guidance for Gatherings, here.

Schools:

• The Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools announced on 3/15/20 that all public schools will close in an effort to provide time for planning for a possible long term shut down due to COVID-19. Public schools will reopen on March 30th unless conditions call for an extension. Please view the TCSOS guidance and letters here.
• Private school closure is at school administrator discretion
• Please view the CDPH COVID-19 Schools guidance here.

COVID-19 Guidance Highlights:

• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has their guidance documents available in one place: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Guidance.aspx
• Food, Beverage, Other Services:
• Bars, wineries, breweries, and pubs should be closed, except for venues that are currently authorized to provide off sale beer and wine to be consumed off premises
• Restaurants should be closed for in-restaurant seated dining, and should be open only to drive-through or other pick-up/delivery options
• For the full guidance, click here.

Self-Isolation for Older Adults (age 65 and older) and Those Who Have Elevated Risk

• Remain at home until further guidance is issued
• Continue with outdoor activities
• Practice social distancing, both in and outside the home
• Stay in touch with others by phone, email, or other online tools
• Identify family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers who can provide support
• Have supplies on hand
• Have a plan for if you get sick
• Practice hand washing
• Use “respiratory etiquette”
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs
• For the full guidance, click here.

What You Can Do:

Practice everyday prevention actions to stay healthy

• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or with hand sanitizer of soap is not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• If you are ill, stay home. If other family members are ill, including children, keep them home.
• Practice social distancing: put more space between yourself and others. About 6 feet is good, if you can
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects often with soap and water or household cleaners. Don’t forget your cell phone

Per the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines: If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (e.g., a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people

Per the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines: If you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of coronavirus:

• Work or engage in schools from home whenever possible
• If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have  special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
• Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
• Avoid eating and drinking in restaurants and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options
• Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits
• Practice good hygiene

If someone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
If you have symptoms or get sick:

• Stay home, unless you need to seek medical care
• Stay away from other people, pets, and animals. As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and use a separate bathroom if available.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor, clinic, or hospital
• Wear a face mask to avoid spreading germs
• Cover your cough with a tissue and immediately throw it in the trash, or cough into your bent elbow. Wash your hands after using a tissue.
• Wash your hands often and avoid sharing personal items
• Please see the CDC recommendations here.

Stay Informed:

• We intend to provide these updates each weekday until further notice, and on weekends if warranted
• Stay tuned to the Public Health website  https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/250/Public-Health
• Follow Public Health on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/tuolumnecountypublichealth
• Visit the CDPH website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
• Visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html