Local Health Emergency Declared In Napa County: Coronavirus

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A local health emergency was declared Thursday in Napa County by the county's public health officer, Dr. Karen Relucio, in response to the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — pandemic. While Napa County has no confirmed cases among its residents as of Thursday, the declaration of a local health emergency is a legal document that mobilizes county resources, accelerates emergency planning and response, and allows for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments.

Effective Thursday, the Napa County Public Health Division restricts visitors to all long-term care and skilled nursing facilities in the county. This is necessary to protect older and medically fragile adults residing in these facilities, who are particularly vulnerable to severe disease and death from COVID-19, county officials said in a news release.

The public health emergency declaration is effective immediately for seven days, and is to be ratified Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors, according to Napa County Spokesperson Noel Brinkerhoff.

Napa joins at least 33 California counties, cities and tribes who have declared public health emergencies, including the counties of Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Clara, San Diego, Sonoma and others.

The county's declaration follows an announcement Wednesday night by California Gov. Gavin Newsom that California public health officials recommend the cancellation or postponement statewide of large gatherings until at least the end of March.

"This does not apply to workplaces, or essential education settings," Brinkerhoff said.

Under the state's guidelines, non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person.

Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness — older adults and those with underlying illness— from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines, according to state public health officials.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus updates, developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

In response to Gov. Newsom’s declaration and mirroring the state's orders, Dr. Relucio is calling for the cancellation of non-essential gatherings and events in Napa County.

“Napa County Public Health is committed to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our community," Relucio said. "As we shift from a strategy of containment of COVID-19 to one of community mitigation, these measures are necessary to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. In addition, Napa County’s local health emergency declaration will help to support and sustain our response."

The guidance applies to all non-essential professional, social and community gatherings regardless of their sponsor, according to the governor’s declaration.

Essential gatherings should only be conducted if the essential activity could not be postponed or achieved without gathering, meaning that some other means of communication could not be used to conduct the essential function, county officials said Thursday.

"At this time Napa County Public Health is not recommending school closures," Brinkerhoff said. "However, it is recommended that schools and community organizations take steps to prevent the spread of illness, including cancellation of non-essential travel, assemblies, fairs, and of intramural and interscholastic sports."

To protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, community members are encouraged to keep washing their hands with soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer with 60-percent or greater alcohol content; cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing; and stay home if sick.

Local coronavirus updates can be found at Countyofnapa.org/Coronavirus.