Santa Cruz County Parks Events Canceled: Coronavirus

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County Parks will remain open, but events, programs, and facility activities and rentals will be canceled March 16 to 30 due to concerns about the new coronavirus. Bathrooms, playgrounds, locker rooms and other parks facilities will be disinfected and receive increased cleaning.

There is no evidence that coronavirus is spread through pools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the Simpkins Family Swim Center will remain open, the county said in a Friday statement.

Entrance and exit doors will be propped open so visitors don't have to touch door handles, a high-touch object.

The news comes hours after Santa Cruz County announced three more coronavirus cases, bringing the total in the county to seven. The county expects more positive test results as it doles out more tests.

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Last week Newel issued a Local Health Emergency for the new coronavirus due to concerns about its spread in neighboring counties and a need to prepare for a potential outbreak.

Anyone with concerns about their health should contact their doctor or call 211 to find a local clinic. The county encourages the public to visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus for local updates and links to important CDC updates.

Read more about the coronavirus outbreak here on the CDC website.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Some services and reservations can be rescheduled, refunded or credited. Email reservations@scparks.com or 831-454-7938 for more information.