Coronavirus: First Napa County Case Confirmed

NAPA, CA — A person is in isolation at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa after public health officials confirmed the individual was suffering from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, a county spokesperson said Tuesday. It is the first case of COVID-2019 in Napa County, Spokesman Noel Brinkerhoff said in a news release.

"A second patient with symptoms is under investigation at the hospital," Brinkerhoff said. "Both patients are not residents of Napa County."

The two patients arrived Monday at Queen of the Valley from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County after they were flown to the military base from Japan. The two patients were among 400 passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in the waters of Japan, Brinkerhoff said.

"... They were under quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship," Brinkerhoff said.

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Travis AFB officials have said at least 171 of 400 Americans evacuated from the cruise ship were flown to Travis AFB, and the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention said 14 of the 400 passengers tested positive for the virus or had symptoms of it.

Tuesday afternoon, North Bay public health officials said seven of the cruise-ship passengers brought to the Solano County military installation to be quarantined for 14 days were identified as needing testing or hospitalization for COVID-19. Of those seven patients, five were taken to hospitals in Solano County but because of a shortage of isolation beds in that county, two were taken 28 miles west of Travis AFB to Queen of the Valley in Napa.

"There is minimal risk for Napa County residents from the arrival of these two patients at the Queen of the Valley," Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio said. "They are in isolation, and are receiving medical care and undergoing testing."

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Dr. Amy Herold, chief medical officer at Queen of the Valley, said the hospital is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Napa County Public Health to care for the two patients.

"Out of caution, the patients are being monitored in special isolation rooms that have negative pressure to minimize the risk of exposure," Herold said. "We are following established infection control protocols and working closely with our partners at CDC and Napa County Public Health to ensure the safety and well-being of our caregivers, patients and visitors."

"Our hospital is equipped to handle the virus," Herold said. "Our caregivers are well prepared; they have received training, have practiced for these scenarios and are wearing protective equipment to minimize their risk of exposure. No hospital operations are impacted."

The COVID-19-afflicted person being cared for at Queen of the Valley tested positive for the virus in Japan, but has not experienced any symptoms associated with the virus so far, according to Napa County public health officials.

The patient under investigation at the Napa hospital for COVID-19 tested negative for the virus while in Japan, but was reportedly experiencing symptoms and was undergoing testing at Queen of the Valley. Both patients are under federal, CDC quarantine.

The U.S. places of residence for the two patients was either not known at time of publication or officials decided not to disclose that information.

Symptoms Of 2019 Novel Coronavirus / COVID-19

Typically, human coronaviruses cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illness. Symptoms are very similar to the flu, which include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and/or shortness of breath. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at increased risk for severe disease.

Anyone who has recently traveled from China, or has come in close contact with someone who traveled from China, and develops a fever and lower respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath within 14 days after leaving the area, should first call their health-care provider and share travel history and symptoms before visiting the clinic or emergency room.

Healthcare providers are urged to immediately call Napa County Public Health about any possible cases of COVID-19.

Tips To Protect Yourself, Others From COVID-19

No additional measures are recommended beyond simple daily precautions people should always take, which include washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve —not your hands — when coughing or sneezing; and staying home from school or work if you are sick.

Since flu activity remains high this flu season, and symptoms of the new coronavirus are similar to the flu, Napa County Public Health also recommends getting a flu shot.