{"id":9626,"date":"2020-03-17T17:52:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T00:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newsmolo.com\/EDC\/2019\/?p=9626"},"modified":"2025-12-31T17:53:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T01:53:50","slug":"coronavirus-disease-covid-19-update-for-el-dorado-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.newsmolo.com\/EDC\/2019\/2020\/03\/17\/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-update-for-el-dorado-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus Disease “Covid-19” Update For El Dorado County"},"content":{"rendered":"

EDC Health & Human Services]<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated – March 17, 2020\u00a0<\/strong>at 4:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current Status:<\/h2>\n

El Dorado County health officials and agency partners are closely monitoring the outbreak of novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) [Redacted].<\/p>\n

El Dorado County<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/strong>As of March 17, 2020,\u00a0at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in El Dorado County<\/p>\n

California<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/strong>As of March 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, there were 472\u00a0positive COVID-19\u00a0cases in California and eleven\u00a0fatalities.\u00a0 For the latest California information –\u00a0Click here<\/a><\/p>\n

United States<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>– For national information about COVID-19\u00a0–\u00a0Click here<\/a><\/p>\n

Although El Dorado County does not currently have any confirmed\u00a0cases of COVID-19, El Dorado County has declared a\u00a0Public Health Emergency<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to ensure appropriate resources and funding are available to the County\u00a0in its response to COVID-19.\u00a0The declaration also allows the County to provide or receive mutual aid from other jurisdictions.<\/p>\n

See Declaration<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0Press release<\/a><\/p>\n

Gatherings:<\/h2>\n

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\u00a0be 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:<\/p>\n

Postpone or cancel large gatherings of 50 people or more<\/p>\n

Postpone or cancel smaller gatherings that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

State Guidance for Older Adults and Those at Elevated Risk to Self-Isolate<\/h2>\n

On March 15, 2020, CDPH issued\u00a0statewide guidance<\/a>\u00a0for older adults and individuals who are at higher risk for serious illness, asking these individuals to self-isolate:<\/p>\n

Individuals over 65 years of age<\/p>\n

Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung cancer<\/p>\n

Individuals who have compromised immune systems<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EDC Older Adult Programs & Gatherings Temporarily Canceled:<\/h2>\n

As a precaution, and in line with CDPH’s guidance, El Dorado County (EDC) Older Adult Services is temporarily canceling some programs and gatherings:<\/p>\n

Programs to be canceled\/postponed through at least the end of March<\/p>\n

As of March 16, 2020, the EDC Older Adult Day Services (The Club) in Placerville and El Dorado Hills will temporarily suspend the program<\/p>\n

As of March 16, 2020, all non-essential services, meetings and group gatherings at the Placerville Senior Center will be cancelled or postponed.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0Seniors may reserve a meal for pick-up by calling (530) 621-6160. See\u00a0flyer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>for list of pick-up sites and instructions.<\/p>\n

Programs and services that will\u00a0not<\/strong>\u00a0be affected<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Senior Nutrition Program will continue to operate the Home Delivered Meal Program to serve more homebound older adults in the County.<\/p>\n

See\u00a0press release<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for further details regarding these changes. For questions, call (530) 621-6369 or (800) 510-2020.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Schools:<\/h2>\n

On March 14, 2020,\u00a0El Dorado County Office of Education announced that public El Dorado County schools will be closed during the week of March 16 through 20, 2020.\u00a0 See\u00a0press release<\/a>\u00a0for more information and a list of school closures.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is COVID-19:<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

How to Protect Yourself:<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

The best ways to protect yourself and others from any virus, including seasonal flu and coronaviruses, are:<\/p>\n

Wash your hands<\/a>\u00a0frequently with soap and water<\/p>\n

Stay home from work or school if you’re sick<\/p>\n

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands<\/p>\n

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze<\/p>\n

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes<\/p>\n

If you have mild symptoms, there may be no need to go to a medical facility to see a doctor<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. Your doctor will make the decision about whether to test.\u00a0It’s important to remember that not every person with symptoms needs to be tested.<\/p>\n

If you work in an office, you can post this flyer\u00a0(English<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0Spanish<\/a>)\u00a0as a\u00a0good prevention reminder for everyone<\/p>\n

What is El Dorado County Doing to Prepare for COVID-19:<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0and others.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 All tests for COVID-19 conducted in El Dorado County to date have been negative.<\/p>\n

Testing:<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Although the risk of transmission remains low for the general public, notify your healthcare provider if you have one of the following risk factors:<\/p>\n

Recent travel to mainland China, Italy, Iran, Japan and South Korea (within the last 14 days) and having respiratory symptoms<\/p>\n

Close contact with a person confirmed through a laboratory test to have COVID-19<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Masks:<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Where to Learn More:<\/h3>\n

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)<\/a><\/p>\n

Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a><\/p>\n

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n

Information for Travelers<\/a><\/p>\n

Information for Healthcare Professionals<\/a>
\nEl Dorado County Healthcare Provider Advisory Re: Testing<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Guidance Documents:<\/h3>\n

The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a\u00a0single location<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0This includes guidance for:<\/p>\n

Community Care Facilities, Including Assisted Living Facilities and Child Care<\/p>\n

People at Risk for Serious Illness<\/p>\n

Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater<\/p>\n

Employers, Health Care Workers and Workers in General Industry<\/p>\n

Entertainment Venues<\/p>\n

First Responders, Including Paramedics and EMTs<\/p>\n

Food Industry<\/p>\n

Event and Gathering Guidance<\/p>\n

Homeless Assistance Providers<\/p>\n

Individuals with Access or Functional Needs<\/p>\n

Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans<\/p>\n

Health Care Facilities from Cal\/OSHA<\/p>\n

Health Care Facilities, Including Long-Term Care Facilities<\/p>\n

Health Care Plans<\/p>\n

Coverage Options<\/p>\n

Home Cleaning with COVID-19 Positive Individuals<\/p>\n

Laboratories<\/p>\n

Schools and institutions of higher education<\/p>\n

Long-Term Care and Adult and Senior Care Facilities<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For Questions:<\/h3>\n

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:<\/p>\n