​Marc​h Updates​


​COVID-19 Update, ​March 30

Since Friday, March 28, there has been an increase of 60 confirmed COVID-19 cases and an additional death in Sacramento County. 

As of March 30, at 11:30 a.m., there is a total of 224 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and the number of those who have died of complications of COVID-19 is 7 (Individuals who died from complications of COVID-19 were either age 65+ or had underlying health conditions). 

Ages of all confirmed cases:
  • Age 0-17:  3
  • Age 18-64:  140
  • Age 65+:  81

​There have been confirmed cases in the unincorporated areas as well as in all the cities within Sacramento County, except for Isleton. 

“This data tells us, that regardless if we live in urban, suburban or rural areas, it is imperative that all of us continue to stay home as much as possible. When w​e absolutely must go out – whether in your neighborhood or to grocery shop – we must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from each other,” said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Director of the Department of Health Services.​

COVID-19 Update, Marc​​​h March 27​

In the last two days, there has been an increase of 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sacramento County. As of March 27, at 11a.m., there is a total of 164 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and those who have died of complications of COVID-19 is 6 (Individuals who died from complications of COVID-19 were either age 65+ or had underlying health conditions). 

While those older than age 65 tend to have more severe complications of COVID-19, the 18-65 year old group in Sacramento County has the highest rate of positive tests. Currently, there are 95 in the 18-65 age range, and for those over 65, there are 66 adults. For the 0-17 group, there are few, at three individuals. The overall average age is 56, and the age spread is 9 and 97 years old. Between the genders, there is less than a 2-percentage point difference, with more males than females testing positive. 

​“Although these numbers are unsettling, they are not surprising,” said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Director of the Sacramento County Department of Health Services. “Together, using social distancing, we are reducing new cases today, which will stagger the rate of cases in the weeks to come.”

If we are to move the needle on reducing new COVID-19 cases, Beilenson says, there are promising models that show an exponential impact on suppressing new cases if we can continue to reduce our social contact as the Health Order directs. 

“A Health Order like this is unprecedented so it is to be expected that there would be a learning curve – but the most important action people can take is to stay home, don’t gather with others, be sure to keep your six foot distance and clean your hands and surfaces often,” said Beilenson. 

​Sacramento County Departments are working to share helpful information. County Regional Parks is doing its part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by implementing precautionary ​measures to keep our parks open and guests safe. The Office of Economic Development is providing support to employers and the workforce through the challenges of COVID-19 by providing an information line and adding new resources for businesses as they become available. As well, Sacramento OES launched a Community Resources page that includes a broad scope of COVID-19 information, from maps with school lunch distribution to signing up for emergency alerts.

​COVID-19 Update, Marc​​​h 25

As COVID-19 testing​ continues to increase, there are more confirmed COVID-19 cases within the community. Sacramento County has 113 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and five who have died from complications of COVID-19. The five individuals who died from complications of COVID-19 were either older than 70 or had underlying health conditions.

​​COVID-19 Update, Marc​​​h 23

Sacramento County has 88 c​​on​firmed COVID-19 cases, and 4 who have died from complications of COVID-19. The four individuals who died from complications of COVID-19 were older than 70 and had underlying health conditions.

​​​​COVID-19 Update, March 20​​

Sacramento County has 53 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and three who have died from complications of COVID-19. Due to the community transmission of this virus in Sacramento County, yesterday, the Sacramento County Health Officer directed all individuals living in the county to stay at their place of residence except for essential activities until at least April 7, 2020. 

Individuals and organizations may have questions around:

  1. ​Getting further guidance on whether your business is exempt or non-exempt from the Public Health Officer Order. 
  2. Reporting a violation of the Public Health Officer Order.​

To get further guidance on whether your business is exempt or non-exempt from the Public Health Officer Order:
  • Step 1: If you have not already, please take a look at page 5 of the Public Health Order and this FAQ​ to see if your business is listed as an essential business. 
  • Step 2: If you do not have clarity after reading the FA​Q, go ahead and call 916-875-2002. 
  • Step 3: Our Health Services Team will connect back with you shortly.
To report a violation of the Public Health Officer Order, call 3-1-1.
 

The intent of the Public Health Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.

The Public Health Order directs that there should not be gatherings in any formal setting – please, see below. To report a violation of the Public Health Officer Order, call 3-1-1. 

  • All bars, wineries and brew-pubs should be closed
  • All in-dining at restaurants should cease (take out and home delivery with social distancing may continue)
  • All gyms should be closed 
  • All bingo halls and card rooms should be closed​

Update for March 19, 2020 - 11:00 a.m.​

As of March 19, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., the Sacramento County Health Officer is directing all individuals living in the county to stay at their place of residence except for essential activities. The legal order is based on the same directives of social distancing issued this week to slow the transmission of the disease, but it provides more detail and enforcement ability. The legal order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs and is intended to protect those most vulnerable to the disease, slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and preserve local healthcare capacity.

The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services t o continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.

All individuals currently living within the County of Sacramento are ordered to stay at home or place of residence. To the degree individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses. All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations. For definitions, please see the Public Health Order. 

Read the full new s release.

Public Health Order materials:

​​Update for March 17, 2020 - 2:15 p.m.​​

​Updated Directives From Sacramento County Pubic Health

Facts about COVID-19: 

  • As we have had more extensive experience with COVID-19, it is clear that a significant majority of those infected have no or only mild symptoms.
  • With additional testing the number of cases of COVID-19 are growing.
  • The vast majority of these cases are now the result of community spread. 
  • Public health team efforts have been focused on identifying persons with COVID-19, separating them from others, and tracking down persons who were exposed to the infected person. This containment strategy helped to slow the introduction of the virus, but has to be redirected to address the larger number of cases in the region. 
  • Public health staff have shifted their efforts to community mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness. 
  • Although community mitigation measures can be disruptive, these recommendations are to protect the public's health. 

COVID-19 is affecting us all and we are all in this together. The goal for all of us is to protect those who are the most vulnerable from exposure to carriers of COVID-19. We recognize that it would not be possible to list all the essential sites or command how individuals and businesses must carry out these directives. Individuals and employers need to weigh the risk of exposure to the public and operating as usual. In summary, effective immediately and until further notice, Sacramento County public health officials direct the public, to the best of their abilities, implement the following: 

  • ​Workplaces: 
    • Workplaces and businesses should implement telecommuting and teleconferencing for their employees, where appropriate and feasible.
    • Only those employees performing essential duties that cannot be performed by telecommuting should physically come to work
  • Vulnerable Populations: This guidance exempts individuals who work in essential services, such as hospital and health care workers, pharmacists, peace officers, firefighters, staff at skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, and other essential workers
    • Those aged 65 and older and/or those with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, heart disease, or lung diseases such as COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems are at highest risk of complications. 
    • People at higher risk should stay home and away from gatherings of un-related individuals
    • Those in the vulnerable populations can go outside (to walk the dog, go on walks or go to the park) provided they are at least six feet from others
  • Less Vulnerable Populations:
    • All those at lower risk should stay home to the maximum extent possible except when going to essential sites
  • Essential sites INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO :
    • Health Care Facilities
    • Grocery stores
    • Pharmacies
    • Hardware stores/plumbers/electricians for emergency services
    • Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
    • Newspapers, television, radio and other media services
    • Gas Stations and auto supply, auto repair and related facilities
    • Banks and related financial institutions
    • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and others who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
    • Airlines, taxis and other public and  private transportation providers
    • Agriculture, including  food processing and distribution
  • Gathering Places: 
    • No gatherings in any formal setting
    • All bars, wineries and brew-pubs should be closed
    • All in-dining at restaurants should cease; take out and home delivery (with social distancing) may continue
    • All gyms should be closed 
    • All bingo halls and card rooms should be closed
  • Schools: 
    • All Sacramento schools are closed 
  • Sick Persons: 
    • Everyone should stay home if they are sick until they have had no fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms for at least 72 hours after symptoms resolve, or 7 days from when symptoms began, whichever is longer.
    • Anyone who lives with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days.
    • Those with cold-like symptoms who can manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter-drugs, should do so, regardless of whether they have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19. 
      • If, however, difficulty breathing and lethargy develops, or symptoms were better and then got worse, they should call their healthcare provider, or urgent care center ahead so they can prepare to take care of them. 
      • People should only call 911 or go to an emergency department if they believe that they are extremely sick or their life is in imminent danger. Other emergencies are still occurring, and emergency resources must be available to address all of them, not just COVID-19
  • Masks: Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask. 
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. 
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility). 

Update for March 17, 2020 - 10:15 a.m.​

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday directives to address the need to slow the spread of COVID-19, and Sacramento County urges compliance with those directives.

The Governor's directives included: 

  • Prohibiting all gatherings of any size, effective immediately
  • Halting in-person dining at restaurants, while allowing take-out dining to continue
  • New self-isolation guidance for those aged 65 years or older, and those living with chronic health conditions. This guidance exempts individuals who work in essential services, such as hospital and health care workers, pharmacists, peace officers, firefighters, staff at skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, and other essential workers:
    • Remaining at home until further guidance is issued
    • Continue with outdoor activities
    • Practice social distancing, both in and outside the home
    • Stay in touch with older residents  by phone, email, or other on-line tools (like Skype and Facebook)
    • Identify family, friends, neighbors and caregivers who can provide support
    • Have over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) on hand
    • Have a plan for if you get sick
    • Practice hand washing
    • Use “respiratory etiquette," such as covering a cough with a  tissue or sleeve, and having tissues and no touch trash cans within reach
    • Clean and disinfect homes to remove germs, and practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces with common cleaning supplies

For more details on the California Department of Public Health's Guidance on self-isolation for older adults and those who have elevated risk, read the elevated risk guidance document.

​Update for March 16, 2020​

The California Governor announced directives yesterday to address the need to slow the spread of COVID-19, and Sacramento County urges compliance with these directives. The directives include closing all bars, wineries, brew pubs and night clubs, as they are considered non-essential; that restaurants cut their seating capacity in half but no more than 50 to comply with social distancing requirements; and those who are 65 and older or with chronic underlying health conditions should stay home.  

Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (65 years and older and/or those with underlying health conditions) should be limited to no more than 10 people – including those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions. All recommendations will be in place until at least the end of March.

At this time, Sacramento County's level of community transmission or impact of COVID-19 is “minimal to moderate." 

The California State Department of Public Health (CDPH) defines a “gathering" as “any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space." Visit the CDPH website for its ​guidelines on gatherings​.