6 Coronavirus Cases In Sonoma County; Virtual Town Hall Planned

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County as of Monday had six confirmed cases of coronavirus. To address questions about the newest cases and the overall coronavirus — COVID-19 — situation in Sonoma County and in general, public officials are hosting another virtual town hall similar to one held last week.

Coronavirus Cases In Sonoma County

Over the weekend, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services identified two cases of coronavirus in people who had no connection to recent travel. The first case was announced Saturday and involves an employee of the Rohnert Park Public Health Center.

The second case was identified and confirmed Sunday evening after officials with the Sonoma County Department of Public Health said they contacted the infected person and asked them to self-quarantine.

A third case of community spread was confirmed at some point Monday, according to SoCoEmergency.org.

Combined with three previously confirmed cases of coronavirus involving residents who traveled on cruise ships — one on the Diamond Princess in Japan and two on the Grand Princess to Mexico — the total number of cases in Sonoma County was six as of Monday evening.

The county says it expects more confirmed cases of community transmission; future cases are to be reported at SoCoEmergency.org.

Virtual Town Hall

During a one-hour live news special from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin, Sonoma County Emergency Management Director Chris Godley, and Sonoma County Interim Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase are slated to give updated information and respond to questions from viewers.

The virtual town hall is set to air on KRCB FM radio stations 91.1 and 90.9 and on TV stations KRCB Channel 22 and KPJK Channel 60. The program will also livestream on NorCalPublicMedia.org, KRCB's Facebook page and on Northern California Public Media's YouTube account. [You can also watch it here on Patch; we'll be sure to send out an alert to remind you.]

Community members are invited to submit their questions prior to broadcast to viewer@norcalpublicmedia.org. Both English and Spanish speakers will be available during the live broadcast to take callers' questions.

Additionally, a Spanish-language Virtual Town Hall is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday on KBBF radio, 89.1 FM. The Spanish town hall is to be livestreamed online at Kbbf.org. Community members are invited to submit questions prior to broadcast by calling and leaving a message at (707) 545-8833 or by posting a question on KBBF’s Facebook page. While the speakers for the two events will be different, similar information will be shared.

"People have a lot of questions and concerns following reports of Sonoma County’s first community-transmitted case of Coronavirus," said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin. "We are bringing together the experts ‘virtually’ to provide accurate and up-to-date information. Holding the meeting through radio, TV and computers allows people to participate without having to physically be in one space. These virtual gatherings keep people informed while helping avoid further spread of the virus."

The county is posting official updates at SoCoEmergency.org. Sonoma County residents can also call 211 to reach the Sonoma Information & Resource Hotline.