Nevada County, Calif. July 2, 2020 – Summer is officially here in Nevada County. As residents prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend, Nevada County reminds residents to follow best practices for reducing the spread of COVID-19, including washing hands regularly, practicing physical distancing of at least six feet, staying home if you’re feeling sick, wearing a face covering (required in public), disinfecting high-touch surfaces and practicing good hygiene.

Gatherings with family and friends have long been a part of traditional Fourth of July celebrations, but this year is different. Gatherings between people from different households are still not allowed under the statewide Stay-at-Home Order.

“As we see the number of cases go up steadily in our community and statewide, we ask that everyone take these restrictions on gatherings seriously,” said Director of Nevada County Public Health Jill Blake. “Our ability to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Nevada County relies on everyone doing their part and following current public health guidance.”

Since June 1, the county has seen the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases nearly triple, from 42 at the beginning of the month to 116 on June 30. Both sides of the county have seen significant increases, which mirrors surges in adjacent counties and at the state and national level.

Most of the new cases in Nevada County come directly from informal gatherings between different households that are still not allowed. The county urges residents to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by not gathering with people outside their household this holiday weekend and following state and local public health guidance.