December 3, 2020 – Today, Nevada County reported five additional deaths from COVID-19. Four of these deaths are related to COVID-19 outbreaks in local skilled nursing facilities and elderly residents who lived there, and the other was an older adult not affiliated with a skilled nursing facility. Another death was reported earlier this week, bringing our County’s total deaths due to COVID-19 to fifteen.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased, as well as the healthcare staff who cared for them,” said Jill Blake, Nevada County Public Health Director. “This is a sober reminder of the threat of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and those around them. To slow the spread of this virus, we all need to maintain a minimum of 6 feet from one another, wear a mask or face covering, and limit our person to person interactions.”
With widespread community transmission in Nevada County, outbreaks of COVID-19 in our skilled nursing facilities and other vulnerable populations become more and more likely, and more difficult to contain. These tragic deaths illustrate the importance of our individual actions as members of our community. We know what it takes to protect our community and our most vulnerable family members and neighbors. We are in a challenging phase of this pandemic, but how dark it gets depends on our individual actions, and it is incumbent upon all of us to refrain from gathering, maintain social distancing, wear face coverings, and practice proper handwashing and sanitation.
Limiting the Spread
If you’ve tested positive or are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, there are important steps you can take to help limit the spread further into our community. Because of the large number of positive COVID-19 cases in our community currently, those with a positive COVID test may not hear from the Public Health department. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please follow the Isolation Guidance and share the Quarantine Guidance with your close contacts.
Find more detailed information about what to do if you’ve tested positive or are a close contact to someone with COVID-19 at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus/exposures. 211 Connecting Point is available to help answer questions and talk through the Isolation or Quarantine Guidance with Nevada County residents. Connect with a local call center agent at 1-833-DIAL211.