Contra Costa County Confirms First Local Case of Novel Coronavirus

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has confirmed the first positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, involving a resident of the county.

The person tested positive this afternoon. Our County’s public health lab conducted the test, which is expected to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in the coming days. The patient, who is being treated at a hospital in the county, had no known travel history and no known contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

CCHS is conducting a thorough investigation to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the patient.

More information will be released after 8:30 pm.

This announcement comes after a Monday letter to the community was released by Contra Costa Health Services expressed their concern about the spread of COVID-19 across the US and in the coming days they expect to see additional cases in Contra Costa County.

The letter was issued by Anna Roth, Health Services Director, and Chris Farnitano, Health officer,  said their focus is shifting from actions to contain COVID-19 to preparing for a sustained response, including future measures to limit and slow the spread of the disease into the community.

They said the COVID-19 outbreak has the potential to turn into a pandemic, which means a simultaneous, worldwide occurrence of an infectious disease. Locally, they may face difficulty obtaining some goods and services, public events may be cancelled, and the ability to travel might be restricted.

“Now is the time for individuals and families, neighborhoods, community organizations, businesses, schools and all sectors to take steps to be prepared,” said the letter.

Basic ideas to be prepared and prevent spread include:

• Business and community organizations should review their continuity of operations plans and consider how they operate if a significant number of employees are unable to work.
• Business and schools should review their sick leave policies and actively encourages employees and students/staff to stay home if they are sick. Do not require a doctors note on return to work/school as healthcare facilities may be severely impacted.
• Medical facilities and health providers should review their surge plans in case they are called upon to handle more patients than usual at one time.
• Stock up on essentials in case of shortages and if you need to stay home.
• Make sure your earthquake kit is up to date and ready to go – it is full of vital supplies you can use for any emergency.
• If you can, obtain a two-month supply for your medications or consider using a mail order pharmacy.
• Think about how to care for loved ones at home if they or you get sick, including how to prevent other family members from becoming infected
• Wash your hands! Frequent hand-washing is easy, under your control, and has no significant downsides.
• Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home from school or work when you are sick
• Cough into the crook of your arm or into a tissue
• Use a barrier, such as a paper towel or tissue, to touch commonly touched surfaces, such as bathroom door handles and elevator buttons
• Bump elbows or bow instead of shaking hands
• Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces
• Get vaccinated against the flue if you haven’t already.

The county also says they are not asking for implementation of any of the actions at this time, and will consider carefully the public health benefits and community impacts, but future actions could include:

• Cancelling events and avoiding gatherings of large groups of people
• Working from home or teleworking
• Temporary closing schools and childcare facilities.

For more information: https://cchealth.org/coronavirus/ or to read the Letter, click here.