Nevada County Public Health Department update on coronavirus – no cases in Nevada County

February 26, 2020 – The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) remains in the media and of concern to many, so the Nevada County Public Health Department created a new “News and Updates” tab on our website (https://www.mynevadacounty.com/551/Public-Health), in an effort to keep the community better informed and to offer links to sites that offer regular and reliable updates.

While COVID-19 should be recognized as a serious public health concern, we want to remind everyone that as of February 25, 2020, there has been no known community transmission of the virus in the U.S. Those in the U.S. who have been infected with the virus were either exposed in China or have been very close contacts of those who are ill. So, while the virus is a serious public health concern, the risk to most people in the U.S. remains low, and seasonal flu currently is a more immediate threat to individual and community health.

As the virus continues to spread globally, we have begun to start planning for the possibility of local, sustained community transmission. We have begun outreach and will continue to do so to health care facilities, the business community, schools and others to discuss what their planning efforts may include, and share with them recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, which are actions that individuals and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses.

As a reminder, you can help to keep yourself and others safe from illness by washing your hands frequently and staying home when you’re sick.

To keep track of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 issue, please check the California Department of Public Health and the CDC websites that regularly post updates in English and Spanish at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.