Lassen County Public Health would like to confirm, there are NO confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), here in Lassen County.  To date there has only been five individuals who have met the testing requirements for COVID-19 with all test results coming back negative for COVID-19. Testing requirements are based off the most up to date guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and (CDPH) California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Lassen County Public Health’s main priority is the health and safety of everyone in Lassen County. 

Again, we are reporting that are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lassen County.

Lassen County Public Health will be following the latest executive order guidance issued by Governor Gavin Newsom, and the CDPH (California Department of Public Health) on mass gatherings that will remain in place at least through the month of March.  This guidance states:

To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, gatherings as described below should be postponed or canceled across the state of California for at least the remainder of the Month of March.

  • Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled.
    • This includes gatherings such as concerts, conferences, and professional, college and school sporting events.
  • Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled.
    • This includes gatherings in crowded auditoriums, rooms or other venues.
  • Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people.
    • This includes gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions.
  • A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.

This applies to all non-essential professional, social, and community gatherings regardless of their sponsor.  Gatherings that do not meet the afore mentioned criteria should only be conducted when they are essential-that is, if the activity is essential and could not be postponed or achieved without gathering, meaning that some other means of communication could not be used to conduct the essential function.

Certain activities are essential to the functioning of our state and must continue. Hence, this does not apply to essential public transportation, airport travel, or shopping at a store or mall. Other specific guidance can be found on the CDPH website to help people take actions that can protect them in those settings.

 

This does not apply to congregate living situations, including dormitories and homeless encampments. For more information on what can be done to protect homeless individuals, please see the Guidance for Homeless Assistance Providers on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF).

This timely implementation of aggressive strategies that create social distance and those that reduce close contact of people not regularly together, including limiting gatherings, has proven effective in prior pandemics at delaying rates of transmission and reducing illness and death.

It is important to remember that this does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes, work or essential services such as public transportation, airport travel, or shopping at a store.

All Lassen County departments will remain open and continue with providing services throughout the county.  There is also a wide variety of services provided online for your convenience. For more information regarding online services, or locations on payment drop boxes, you may go to www.lassencounty.org.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). This occurs through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.  Please refer to Public Health’s website for a complete list of these medical conditions.  Every person has a role to play, and much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense: 

  • Washing hands with soap and water.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

If you or one of your loved ones develops a fever and symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days of having traveled to an infected area or has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently had a possible exposure, we ask that you call ahead to inform the healthcare facility you plan on attending, or when contacting EMS and mention your recent travel or close contact, so they can take the appropriate safety measures. Our healthcare facilities will then contact Lassen County Public Health Department and together with guidance from the state health department and the CDC will take the appropriate steps.

The Lassen County Public Health Department will continue monitoring the ongoing situation, work with state and federal resources, communicate and provide guidance with healthcare, EMS providers, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations.

For more information, you may contact the following

Lassen County Public Health Department - www.lassencountyhealth.org

Centers for Disease Control - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/guidance-hcp.html

California Department of Public Health - https://www.cdph.ca.gov

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