San Bernardino County today reported its second case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a 54-year-old male with underlying health conditions who had come into contact with persons who had recently traveled from Washington state.
“This case does not change our level of readiness or response and it should not increase alarm among the public,” said Acting County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson. “The health risk from COVID-19 to the general public in San Bernardino County remains low at this time, but everyone is strongly urged to engage in practices that reduce the risk of spread.”
“We are prepared from a public health standpoint, and our residents, cities, businesses and other key communities have been informed about safe practices,” Dr. Gustafson said.
“We continue to commend the community for its strength and resilience in the face of this challenge,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Avoiding panic and heeding the advice of public health professionals is the path that will lead us through this crisis. As more testing is conducted and more results come in, we thoroughly expect to see an increase in the number of reported cases.”
The county reported its first case of novel coronavirus on Sunday, March 15, in someone who had recently returned from the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, March 10, the County Public Health Officer and the Board of Supervisors declared a local health emergency to help ensure county government and the public would be prepared for the possibility that coronavirus would appear within the county and allow flexibility in response.
On Thursday, March 12, the County Public Health Officer ordered the immediate cancellation or postponement of gatherings of more than 250 people within the county until further notice. Smaller gatherings should refer to guidance from the California Department of Public Health.
Various appropriate county departments and agencies have been working together since Jan. 25 to prepare for the possible arrival of the virus within the county. The County Department of Public Health activated its Department Operations Center on Feb. 13.
As with any virus, especially during the cold and flu season, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your health and those around you:
- People experiencing symptoms of contagious illness should seek medical guidance, not attend work or school, and avoid unnecessary contact with other people.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- N95 masks are not recommended outside a healthcare setting. Surgical masks can be worn by sick individuals to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs to others.
For information about the coronavirus crisis, visit the County’s coronavirus website at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/, email the County at coronavirus@dph.sbcounty.gov, or contact the coronavirus public information line from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 909-387-3911.
What hospital has the 2nd case?
Coronavirus and I self quarantine and safe health school closings in Texas and South Carolina after school activities cancelled for next 14 days and Track and Field meet in nationwide not suspended after spring break you call governor Gavin Newsom about Track and meet not suspended until Thursday
Was this in Apple Valley?
Where was this located at
This case was recorded within San Bernardino County. We are not identifying the specific location.
The first case said she went to Kaiser Fontana what hospital did this case go to so we can be aware it just seemed like this one gave half the info the first did
You should be more specific. We have the largest county in the US in terms of land, so it would be very different to have an outbreak in Lucerne Valley with a population of about 5000, (less population density and less chance of the virus spreading), instead of say Ontario (about 175,000), that is a travel and shipping hub. The two cities are 65 miles apart but in the same county. The risk to people in one community if the outbreak is in the other doesn’t seem to be the same. Or is it the same risk?
Well you most certainly should be identifying the specific location where it is. This county is the largest one in the country. People deserve to know if it is close to them or not! You are being irresponsible.
Not to be adding to hysteria, but any word if their have been additional cases as of today, some organization just shared a different description of a person tested positive. @SanBernardinoCounty
WHY ? SO IT SPREADS WORSE YOU NOT SPECIFYING LOCATION GOING TO CAUSE A BREAK OUT !!! FOO
Why would you not answer which hospital? There is no violation of any HIPPA law by stating that. If you are going to post that there are more cases, then it is irresponsible for you not to tell which hospital/ area the patient care from
Please explain exactly why you are not willing to give the public the information on the location (city or nearest city) when we are located in the largest county in the US. This needs to be publicly available.
This information is now available at http://www.sbcovid19.com
Where I need to call 24/ 7 to report corona virus suspected symptoms for myself or know person?
Please call your health care provider if you have symptoms of coronavirus and they can direct you to the appropriate care. Take care.
When will the Mayor of San Bernardino speak to the public about what our county is doing to immediately help those affected?
Was this case in Redlands?
Ryan, No this was not in Redlands.
How can we believe you? You say it’s “against federal regulations” to give us any information so why should we believe when you say it wasn’t in that city? You guys are handling this poorly. Get on board with la county and tell us the cities where these people are and start mandating closures of all gyms, clubs, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Why are we not told where these people are and have been so that if we were in the areas we can self quarantine ourselves and report to county so can be tested instead of this guessing and causing more uncertainty
Hi Dave. Thank you for contacting us. We do not disclose the subject’s place of residence due to federal confidentiality laws. We certainly understand the uncertainty this presents. We should keep in mind that people outside of communities where cases have been confirmed should not be any less cautious than people within communities where cases have been confirmed. Everyone should be taking the recommended precautions to help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, not just those who live in communities where cases have been confirmed.
Can county provide a zip code at least? If County wants us to be cautious, we need to know which area is more dangerous than others. Thank you.
Question was not necessarily asking for residence, but the hospital location and community location. That would not violate federal law.
was it in Barstow? we have the right to know
Los Angeles has a full list of all cities where people who have tested positive for the corona virus reside. Why is San Bernardino not doing this too????
NOT ASKING WHAT ADDRESSES MUST SAY WHAT CITY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE.
That is not correct. We should be able to make the determination if it is close to us, that we choose to not go out at all. If it is in a city 3 hours away, then we may feel we can go to the store if we are in need of items. This is in our best interest. If we lived in NY then we would be much more cautious than here with only 3 cases. Maybe our chose for shopping for needed items would be different based on the location. We the public deserve the government to work for us, not do as I say and not as I do … with secret information (other than HIPPA) kept from us.
agreed!
The first one WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT KAISER FULLERTON. SHE DID NOT CALL FIRST. Yes, we now have more ER staff home on precautionary quarantine.
Just to clarify it was Kaiser Fontana, didn’t read anything about the ER.
Kaiser in Fontana*
I heard it was kaiser Fontana?
Fontana, not Fullerton. See the press release about it.
Fullerton is in Orange County. Fontana is SB Co.
Where is the second case…please let us know
are you allowed to at LEAST disclose the hospital that the 2nd case went to? please…
So I understand the County Health Department refuses to provide the specific location or hospital where these confirmed cases are, but have we forgotten that this county is rather large? It seems appropriate for public awareness to know what town these cases are located in. Most of our population will agree that as these cases are identified, our awareness and precautions to take will at least partially be based on the locations we live in. There is no privacy law restricting disclosure of the town these cases are in.
I think we need to calm down instead of creating a bigger storm. We need facts instead of trying to make some more that we are not sure of. Stick together in this difficult time it works out the best
Good morning. we are not asking about this person residence. We just want to know the city. The first case was in Fontana. This should not be a secret. Thank you.
How often is the number updated on this County website? I know of another case, but I don’t know if it’s the 2nd one, or if it’s a 3rd now.
The first case was at Kaiser in Fontana, not Fullerton. I am curious what area the 2nd case was.
I understand the place of residence can not be disclosed. But the 1st case was at least given the hospital the woman sought out medical attention and day if that visit to Kaiser Fontana emergency room. The president and governors have asked us to do our part. I feel the least that our county could tell us is the hospital that was visited for these cases that pop up. It’s kinda a little common sense that if this person visited a certain hospital i.e Kaiser Fontana it was probably the closest hospital to the patient which gives us all the smallest bit of idea what area of san bernadino county this is hitting in… were all days away from literally being locked in our houses with very vague information and I hope your understand that it is things like this that is causing the hysteria along with media giving vague remarks at times. Putting our minds at ease with information is better then having us guess and wonder where the new cases are. I live in fontana north of Kaiser fontana so knowing that the first case was at kaiser fontana gave me a little insight that it’s close to my home and my children being airborne I have not only followed requests from the government, but now have taken extra precautions for myself and my children especially my 13 year old son with severe asthma. I would hope you guys help us chill out by giving more information to work off of instead of leaving us in the dark with very tiny light given. I say this with all respect
How many people related to these 2 cases have been tested? I came from S Korea so I know the most critical thing is to identify the people who contract the virus and separate them from the crowd to avoid more spread. Thank you for your hard work.
Is IHSS closing?
You as the biggest county in the USA, need to take more pre-cautions. I still see people coming out of County buildings. Do you not care about your peers?
What are we doing about restaurants, gyms, things of that nature to stop the spread
Is it in Apple Valley?
If your coworker is sick and your afraid to catch whatever he/she is dealing with, what can I do? I am afraid as the rest of us at this point.
Could you let us know if any of the 2 cases in Rancho Cucomonga?
Why are we not closing restaurants and gyms to contain the spread of this, just curious?
As the Trustee responsible for public health In the community of Lytle Creek, I am dismayed that County Health is continuing to say that public health “risk is low”. It is not. This message to the public is confusing. We are at the start of a pandemic, the President has declared a National Emergency, our Governor has declared a State level emergency, the County has declared an emergency. More importantly, we do not yet fully understand the transmissibility of this virus.
Thus I repeat: THE RISK IS NOT LOW because we do not know what the actual risk is. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible, and may put the citizens of this County and my Lytle Creek Community, at greater risk.
Was this case in the high desert ?
Was it in Barstow?
Why are non essential county employees not allowed to apply for telework? We have children at home from school and are told to use our own time. We are basically going to work, being exposed to countless other co-workers then coming home to our families. Does the county want to spread the virus? Why is the county taking these irresponsible steps? If the federal government is foreseeing a huge loss of life, why is the county not more proactive towards its employees?
It is summer in the southern hemisphere. Is the warm weather influencing the virus there??? Jon.
How many people in San Bernardino County have been tested for the virus?
What’s service is the county providing for low income families,people who have lost their jobs, people who are self quarantined?
Where any of those 2 cases in Apple Valley/Victorville
what about the persons who had recently traveled from Washington state , are they now being screened and investigated, those are the source of spreading the disease , especially if they are young and asymptomatic?? .
I see LA county has closed all restaurants. Separating 6 feet is not protecting the workers who serve the community. Going from table to table is just exposing. Sb needs to follow suit.
Was this in Victorville or the high desert ? Why not give a more specific geographic location as San BernardinoCounty is the biggest county in the US ? No one is asking for a HIPPA violation
Why are restaurants in San Bernardino County still open for dine in service? All the neighboring counties have closed restaurants. Are you not putting the workers in harms way?
Why would the first location be made available to us and not the second?
This seems ridiculous. You do not have to disclose the persons name or residence but should we not know the general location (San Bernardino is one of the biggest counties) and city so we know where there are pockets of outbreaks occurring? I am a contractor and I could cancel appointments in cities or neighborhoods where there are known cases to help stop the spread. In times like this more information is better for the community and the country as a whole.
What advice do you have for rural areas of San Bernardino County residents?
Do we as a country have enough tests kits?
Is Indian Health Service being given test kits?
Why are you not allowing non essential county workers to work from home? You are exposing them and their families.
LA county as well as many other counties have published the cities at least where there are known cases, which would be helpful for the public to know. It must not be a privacy law if other counties are publishing this information.
All these two cases are infected from outside sources. What is the action by our county to prevent the next level community/local spreading of this virus?
Here are steps:
1. Do thorough deep cleaning/disinfection in areas where these two have accessed.
2. Test every individual who has contacted with these two persons.
3. Order quarantine to all who are tested positive.
4. Provided financial supports to those who are in quarantine.
It is not too late. We still have the opportunity to prevent a local spreading here in San Bernardino.
If you can tell that one worker was confirmed in a mall and name the mall and that’s why that mall was closed then certainly we could be told at least what city within a county. That’s all people are asking. This doesn’t mean that people in other cities would be any less careful. It certainly would ease the anxiety level of people which in turn affects people’s immune systems.
How about Crestline? I have heard rumors that it was a person who lives in Crestline, an unincorporated area in the San Bernardino mountains, 11 miles north of the city of San Bernardino. This pandemic is changing all the time. Will you give me the exact protocol that occurs when a person feels they may have this COVID19 virus? Is a person immediately quarantined? Are all of this person’s friends or contacts notified and tested? Are these people requested to self-quarantine? What kind of evaluation, tracking, and processing is occurring now in San Bernardino County? Will we be required to “shelter in place?”
You do realize that at least providing a city keeps the rumor mill quieter, right? It also alerts people that when it is in their vicinity so they can upscale their precautions.
This is such a large county. People need to know if it’s Needles, Barstow, San Bernardino or Big Bear. This makes them more cautious. Please reconsider your decision to not reveal the city.
It would be nice if SB County followed the same guidelines as Los Angeles County and at lease stated the city the individuals reside in, so that we the public know whether we should self quarantine ourselves.
We are practicing safety measures, but we do go to stores and pick up foods etc……
I was asking where they HAD been
I understand the federal confidentially laws of not disclosing privacy information, but as we speak, Riverside County is saying what city their two new cases are from. San Bernardino County is the biggest county in the country; it would help to at least know what cities of the confirmed cases are from so that we can better take care of ourselves.
Hi Diana, we have this information now at sbcovid19.com.
Why are we not stopping the airb&b when that brings more traveling people in areas not having problems, why should we shelter in place when these people go where ever they want
You all have a history of incompetence and lack of preparation. I am terrified that you all are in charge of the care of the population. You all tend to be pretty awful.
We should at the very least be told the city that these confirmed cases live. San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States. For those of us that need to leave our home for urgent medicines or other urgencies none of us mean any harm to the confirmed coved-19 cases. Also I read the first case walked into Fontana ER now you’re telling us it’s Fullerton ER Please what little information we get be accurate.
I truly feel it is ridiculous that San Bernardino County is choosing not to disclose the cities that these cases are residents of. It is not proactive in anyway and hinders the ability for your residents and businesses to take precautionary measures for possible exposure.