Mill Valley Coronavirus Update - March 11, 2020

From the City of Mill Valley:

Given the confirmed community acquired cases in California and other states, we want to share information and resources on the coronavirus or COVID-19 situation.

Stay informed:

• Marin County Public Health has created a web page with updates, links, and frequently asked questions at www.marinhhs.org/coronavirus. Please sign up for regular updates through this website.
• March 10: 2020: Marin County HHS Status Update. As of March 10, there are no confirmed cases of local transmission in Marin County

Community Events:

• Those that are 65 years of age or older or those who have health conditions are encouraged to stay at home and avoid large gatherings of people.
• The City of Mill Valley will follow the County of Marin's guidance for closures and cancellations. Out of an abundance of caution, Marin County HHS is recommending the cancellation or postponement of nonessential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation was announced March 9 and is in place for two weeks and will be re-evaluated as new information becomes available.
• If you are curious if a City of Mill Valley sponsored event has been canceled, please visit the City Event Calendar.
• Event organizers with large gatherings are encouraged to consult the CDC for guidance on hosting large events by clicking here.

What you can do: We encourage everyone to practice good hygiene to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus like influenza or COVID-19:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands).If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterward
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick
• Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for serious illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Get your flu shot to protect against the flu
• Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible.
• Do not go to the emergency room unless essential.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

What we are doing: We are working actively with all Departments and partner agencies to advise on best practices on how to prepare and mitigate disease spread. These strategies include:

• Promoting hand washing and good respiratory etiquette
• Reinforcing messages to stay home when sick
• Performing routine environmental cleaning
• Reviewing and updating emergency operation plans

Click here to read more about our COVID-19 Response Plan.

Additional Resources:

Travel: Anyone planning to travel abroad should consult the CDC website for the latest country-specific guidance.

Wages and Work: The California Employment Development Department has a variety of resources for those concerned about lost wages or ability to work here.

School Information: Marin County school leaders are in close contact with the County Department of Health and Human Services to obtain the most current guidance related to the Coronavirus/COVID-19. Learn more here

Questions:

Inquiries may be directed to Marin County Public Health at:Email: Covid-19@marincounty.org, orPhone: 415-473-7191 - Phone calls will be answered Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The City of Mill Valley will coordinate with Marin County HHS to provide updates on the coronavirus as it affects community members. Going forward, we will share County news releases related to the coronavirus to the City website. If there is urgent news, it will be sent as a special edition of MVConnect.

This press release was produced by the City of Mill Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.