El Dorado County declares emergency in response to slow coronavirus spread
El Dorado County on Thursday joined dozens of other California counties and cities to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak, ensuring resources and funding are available to slow the spread of COVID-19.
There were not any confirmed COVID-19 cases in El Dorado County on Thursday afternoon, according to a news release. All COVID-19 tests conducted in the county have been negative.
But officials there say it was appropriate to declare a public health emergency due to confirmed cases in the region and the high likelihood that El Dorado County will have a confirmed case at some point soon.
“It is a prerequisite for requesting and receiving any available federal or state funding and will allow us access to the resources necessary to keep people as safe as possible and lessen disease transmission in El Dorado County,” Dr. Nancy Williams, the county’s public health officer, said in the release.
Within hours of the state’s first reported death due to COVID-19 complications last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus. Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties have done the same.
El Dorado County officials said Thursday’s declaration allows them to provide or receive mutual aid from other jurisdictions and helps in open up resources, mutual aid and staffing.
The county continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health on coordinated testing, investigations and guidance and help to health care providers. The joint efforts also include monitoring for acute respiratory illness and gathering information to detect new cases for lab testing and confirming infection.
El Dorado public health officials were encouraging local facilities, such as long-term care and nursing facilities that have elderly and frail residents, to create procedures that include limiting and screening visitors, and daily monitoring. They also have been encouraged to consulting with public health officials.
Following guidance from state officials, El Dorado’s Public Health agency was not recommending that local school districts close campuses Thursday, except for postponing or canceling non-essential large gatherings. Officials said the county also was considering limiting non-essential meetings and gatherings, but any specific details will be announced as they are developed.
Williams said the risk of transmission for COVID-19 remains low for the public. But she also said it’s important for people to notify their healthcare provider to determine whether testing is needed if they have respiratory symptoms and have traveled to a country with active COVID-19 within the last 14 days or if they have been in close contact with a person to have lab-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
Residents were asked to visit El Dorado County’s coronavirus web page for updated information.
