With ever-increasing confirmed cases of Coronavirus regionally, across the state and around the world, and out of an abundance of caution, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is recommending the cancellation or postponement of nonessential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, commonly called coronavirus.
Willis said this recommendation is in place for two weeks and will be re-evaluated as new information becomes available. He noted that Marin HHS’ Public Health Division is not making the same recommendation for outdoor events at this time because the risk for transmission outdoors is low.
“We recognize that gathering together is vital for community well-being, and we do not take these steps lightly,” Willis said in a statement. “With increased transmission of COVID-19 regionally, we have to prioritize health first. We will reevaluate our recommendations as the situation unfolds here in Marin.”
Subsequently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 250 people at least through March, a move that kicked off a wave of concert, convention, sporting event cancellations.
“Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease,” Newsom said in issuing the ban. “Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk — seniors and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right choice.”
Willis said that event organizers should consider the California Department of Public Health guidelines[External] if they choose to move forward with an event. In addition, organizers should:
“While Marin has not seen evidence of community transmission, Marin is a popular destination for community events and activities,” Willis said. “These guidelines are in response to increased COVID-19 activity across the region.”
Marin HHS announced the first local case of COVID-19 on March 9, the same day it launched a hotline service (415-473-7191) to answer public questions about the disease. Two days later, it confirmed two additional cases in Marin.
Willis emphasized that the best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, whether the flu or COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene with the following guidelines:
In addition, here are some widely circulated takeaways from the University of California, San Francisco BioHub Panel on COVID-19 on March 10:
GO HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Willis said this recommendation is in place for two weeks and will be re-evaluated as new information becomes available. He noted that Marin HHS’ Public Health Division is not making the same recommendation for outdoor events at this time because the risk for transmission outdoors is low.
“We recognize that gathering together is vital for community well-being, and we do not take these steps lightly,” Willis said in a statement. “With increased transmission of COVID-19 regionally, we have to prioritize health first. We will reevaluate our recommendations as the situation unfolds here in Marin.”
Subsequently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 250 people at least through March, a move that kicked off a wave of concert, convention, sporting event cancellations.
“Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease,” Newsom said in issuing the ban. “Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk — seniors and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right choice.”
Willis said that event organizers should consider the California Department of Public Health guidelines[External] if they choose to move forward with an event. In addition, organizers should:
- Collaborate and coordinate with community partners including the local public health department, hotels where participants are staying, airlines, event venues, and other partners.
- Use event messaging and communications to promote everyday preventive health messages to your participants and staff, including Marin HHS’s educational posters in English and Spanish.
- Recommend that participants minimize close contact (e.g., recommending no hand shaking or hugging)
- Promote messages that discourage people who are sick from attending events.
“While Marin has not seen evidence of community transmission, Marin is a popular destination for community events and activities,” Willis said. “These guidelines are in response to increased COVID-19 activity across the region.”
Marin HHS announced the first local case of COVID-19 on March 9, the same day it launched a hotline service (415-473-7191) to answer public questions about the disease. Two days later, it confirmed two additional cases in Marin.
Willis emphasized that the best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, whether the flu or COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene with the following guidelines:
- 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 face;
- Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe;
- Get your flu shot to protect against flu.
In addition, here are some widely circulated takeaways from the University of California, San Francisco BioHub Panel on COVID-19 on March 10:
- At this point, we are past containment. Containment is basically futile. Our containment efforts won’t reduce the number who get infected in the US.
- Now we’re just trying to slow the spread, to help healthcare providers deal with the demand peak. In other words, the goal of containment is to "flatten the curve", to lower the peak of the surge of demand that will hit healthcare providers. And to buy time, in hopes a drug can be developed.
- We are moving from containment to care.
- We in the US are currently where at where Italy was a week ago. We see nothing to say we will be substantially different. 40-70% of the US population will be infected over the next 12-18 months. After that level you can start to get herd immunity.
- Unlike flu, this is entirely novel to humans, so there is no latent immunity in the global population. The fatality rate is in the range of 10X flu.
- It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
- It appears one can be infectious before being symptomatic. We don’t know how infectious before symptomatic, but know that highest level of virus prevalence coincides with symptoms. We currently think folks are infectious 2 days before through 14 days after onset of symptoms.
GO HERE FOR MORE INFO.