Full Text
Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: Donald M. Jardine, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Katherine Rakow, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith Monday March 30, 2020 First Case of COVID-19 in Alpine County Today the Alpine County Health Department was notified of the first laboratory confirmed case of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in an Alpine County resident. The individual is recovering at home and was never hospitalized. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this resident for a speedy and full recovery. Public Health has conducted its case and contact investigation and determined that the individual was exposed and acquired the infection in a location distant from Alpine County. The individual and their household have been very cooperative with self-quarantine measures, and therefore we do not believe that this case presents any risk of community transmission in our local area. As you are aware, cases of COVID-19 have been rapidly increasing around the state, nation, and world. We estimate that it will take a few more weeks before we have evidence that the firm physical distancing measures in place are having an effect in “flattening the curve”. This is not a time to let down our guard! Even though we have not demonstrated the presence of community spread in Alpine County, we believe that we are all at some risk, as community transmission has been demonstrated in many of our surrounding jurisdictions where we live, work, and shop. It is just a matter of time. Our vulnerability is especially high because of the limited resources we have in Alpine County, including gasoline, groceries, tourist-based economy, limited healthcare facilities, and lack of pharmacy. The following actions have been taken: 1. Essential county functions will continue, with arrangements for staff to work from home unless absolutely necessary to be in a workplace. The health and safety of our clinic staff and all first responders is of utmost concern and our first priority. Fire, law, and EMS services will continue as usual. 2. A local emergency has been declared by the Alpine County Office of Emergency Services (Sheriff’s Office), and a local health emergency has been declared by the Health Officer. Both have been ratified by the Board of Supervisors. Public Health Brief Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Nichole Williamson Public Health Officer HHS Director Office: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 249 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] e-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] 24/7/365 Emergency Contact Numbers Dr. Johnson’s cell: (760) 914-0496 Dispatch: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 330 ---PAGE BREAK--- Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: Donald M. Jardine, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Katherine Rakow, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith 3. Our Alpine County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and our Health and Human Services Department Operations Center (DOC) meet electronically on a regular basis. 4. Our Dial-a-Ride service will continue by appointment for essential services only. Call [PHONE REDACTED], or go to the Alpine County Web site for more details 5. Our Social Services staff will continue to deliver meals to seniors. Call [PHONE REDACTED] to request home delivery. For those who do not have other means of obtaining food, you may call [PHONE REDACTED] to make an appointment for food pick-up from our food pantry. 6. Mental Health services will continue to be available by calling [PHONE REDACTED], or the 24-hour crisis line at 1- [PHONE REDACTED]. 7. Our Alpine County Health Department Clinic will continue to operate on Monday and Wednesday from 8-12 and 1-5 by appointment only. Routine appointments and follow-ups will be canceled, and only acute healthcare needs will be handled. Evaluation and testing for COVID-19 infection is available. 8. During this stressful time, our staff will still be available for calls regarding adult or child protective services. Call [PHONE REDACTED]. 9. County services will be handled via telephone or electronically as much as possible. Please contact the appropriate department as you normally do. Face-to-face encounters will only happen rarely, and only when no other means are possible to conduct required business. 10. Access to state and federal recreation areas is severely restricted in order to decrease both the risk of human-to-human transmission, and limit incentives for the public to travel to Alpine County to recreate during this time. 11. We have sent out information to reinforce the Governors’ order limiting travel, emphasizing that all motels, hotels, and short-term rentals should cease operations. Alpine County does not have the gasoline, groceries, or healthcare resources that would be needed by an influx of persons from urban areas seeking a safe haven. 1 HANDS Wash them often with soap and water or hand sanitizer. 2 ELBOW Cough or sneeze into it. 3 FACE Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. 4 FEET Stay more than 6 ft apart from anyone outside of your household. 5 FEEL sick? Stay home! Call if you need advice. Our Warm Line is [PHONE REDACTED].