San Bernardino County today reported its fourth and fifth case of novel coronavirus.
The county reported its first case on Sunday. Additional cases have been expected to emerge as private lab testing begins ramping up.
In an effort to protect the public from further spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, the County’s Acting Health Officer on Tuesday ordered the cancellation of gatherings of any number of people within the county starting tomorrow through at least April 6, with key exceptions for work, public transportation, airport travel, grocery stores, charitable food distribution, certified farmers’ markets, and shopping at stores or malls.
The order also requires, starting today, the closing of all movie theatres, gyms, health clubs, bars, adult entertainment establishments, and other businesses that serve alcohol but do not serve food. Food and beverage establishments must follow guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health on Monday (www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR20-024.aspx).
The order does not apply to congregate living situations, including dormitories and homeless encampments. All San Bernardino County public schools have voluntarily closed as part of the effort to stop the spread of the virus, according to the County Superintendent of Schools.
The order also strongly cautions that persons aged 65 years and older and person of any age with certain underlying health conditions are at increased risk should they contract COVID-19, and encourages them to self-quarantine.
“Residents of San Bernardino County are encouraged to stay home as much as possible while only participating in essential activities, such as critical work functions and shopping for necessities,” said Acting County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson. “We know these measures are challenging, but social distancing will help to protect all of our communities. We encourage older adults and those with chronic medical conditions to take additional precautions to avoid getting sick.”
The county reported its first case of novel coronavirus on March 15.
On 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.
Various 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.
Dos nuevos casos de Enfermedad por Coronavirus (COVID-19) registrados dentro del condado
El Condado de San Bernardino reporto hoy el cuarto y quinto caso de coronavirus (COVID-19).
El condado reportó su primer caso el Domingo. Se esperan casos adicionales ya que laboratorios privados comienzan a aumentar pruebas.
En un esfuerzo por proteger al público de una mayor propagación del virus que causa COVID-19, el Oficial de Salud Interino del Condado ordenó hoy la cancelación de las reuniones de cualquier número de personas dentro del condado a partir de mañana hasta por lo menos el 6 de Abril.
La orden también requiere, a partir de mañana, el cierre de todos los cines, gimnasios, clubes de salud, bares, establecimientos de entretenimiento para adultos y otros negocios que sirven alcohol pero no sirven comida. Los establecimientos de alimentos y bebidas deben seguir las pautas emitidas por el Departamento de Salud Pública de California el lunes (www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR20-024.aspx).
La orden no se aplica a las actividades “esenciales para el funcionamiento de nuestro estado” incluyendo el trabajo, el transporte público, los viajes al aeropuerto, las tiendas de comestibles, la distribución de alimentos de caridad, los mercados de agricultores certificados y las compras en tiendas o centros comerciales. El pedido tampoco se aplica a las situaciones de vida congregadas, incluidos los dormitorios y los campamentos para personas sin hogar. Todas las escuelas públicas del Condado de San Bernardino han cerrado voluntariamente como parte del esfuerzo para detener la propagación del virus, según el Condado.
“Entiendo que esto crea dificultades para muchas familias y empresas. Pero al final del día creo que todos entendemos que estamos juntos en esto, y que juntos, lo superaremos”, dijo el Presidente de la Junta de Supervisores, Curt Hagman, quien anunció la orden hoy en un video, que se puede ver Aquí. “El condado está dando todas las medidas que podemos para mantenernos frente a esta amenaza”.
“El riesgo para la salud de COVID-19 para el público en general en el condado de San Bernardino sigue siendo bajo en este momento, pero se urge firmemente a todos a participar en prácticas que reduzcan el riesgo de propagación”, dijo la Dra. Erin Gustafson, Oficial de Salud del Condado Interino.
La orden también advierte totalmente la precaución que las personas mayores de 65 años y las personas de cualquier edad con ciertas condiciones de salud subyacentes corren un mayor riesgo en caso de contraer COVID-19, y las alienta a la autocuarentena. La orden llegó hoy en medio de la confirmación del tercer caso reportado de una nueva infección por coronavirus en el condado de San Bernardino, una mujer de unos 50 años. El condado no tiene muertes atribuibles a nuevos coronavirus.
El 10 de Marzo, el Oficial de Salud Pública del Condado y la Junta de Supervisores declararon una emergencia de salud local para ayudar a asegurar que el gobierno del condado y el público estén preparados para la posibilidad de que COVID-19 aparezca dentro del condado.
Varios departamentos y agencias apropiadas del Condado han estado trabajando juntos desde el 25 de Enero para prepararse para la posible llegada del virus al condado. El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado activó su Centro de Operaciones del Departamento el 13 de Febrero.
La Salud Pública del Condado continúa trabajando con los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y el Departamento de Salud Pública de California para responder a los informes de COVID-19.
Al igual que con cualquier virus, especialmente durante la temporada de frío y gripe, hay una serie de pasos que puede tomar para proteger su salud y a los que le rodean:
• Evite el contacto cercano con personas enfermas.
• Lávese las manos con jabón y agua tibia durante 20 segundos, especialmente después de ir al baño; antes de comer; y después de soplarse la nariz, toser o estornudar. Si el agua y el jabón no están disponibles fácilmente, use un desinfectante de manos a base de alcohol con al menos 60% de alcohol.
• Evite tocar los ojos, la nariz o la boca, especialmente con las manos sin lavar.
• Limpie y desinfecte los objetos y superficies tocados con frecuencia con aerosoles o toallitas de limpieza doméstica regulares.
• Si alguien se enferma con síntomas respiratorios como fiebre y tos, debe mantenerse alejado del trabajo, la escuela u otras personas para evitar la propagación de enfermedades y buscar ayuda de su proveedor de atención médica si los síntomas se vuelven graves.
• Las máscaras N95 no se recomiendan fuera de un entorno sanitario. Las máscaras quirúrgicas pueden ser usadas por individuos enfermos para reducir la probabilidad de diseminar gérmenes a otras personas.
Para obtener información sobre la crisis del coronavirus, visite el sitio web del coronavirus del Condado en wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus, comuníquese con la línea de información pública del coronavirus de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes al 909-387-3911, o envíe un correo electrónico a coronavirus-dph.sbcounty.gov. La línea de información pública no está equipada para manejar preguntas médicas o solicitudes de atención médica. Las preguntas médicas o solicitudes de atención médica deben hacerse solo a los proveedores de atención médica.
I work for Fontana USD in Maintenance & Operations. I don’t understand why we are still reporting to work. District office also are reporting to work WHY?
Way isn’t the mayor or board of supervisor going on TV reporting about what is going on here.
Please close businesses before exposure gets worse. It’s important citizens are at home with their families and safe from exposure. Don’t wait for it to get worse to do so!
Follow other counties that have already made that call yesterday!
Why don’t you allow county workers to work from home?
Thank you so much for keep us inform. It is possible to in what cities is San Bernardino these positive test cases ocurre?
So all the places that people are likely to get it, public transportation, airport’s, homeless encampment, are not being restricted? Why not?
LA county shows confirmed cases by city, we hope SB can public to the city level as well.
What hospitals so I can stay away
Kinda delayed the lede. Two more confirmed cases is important, but the impact is the cancelation of gatherings. The headline should be about the county ordering the cancelation of all gatherings. That impacts everyone.
Can you inform us how the 4th and 5the acquired Covid-19? Travel, person-to-person, community (unknown)?
It would be great if you said what city’s those cases are in. Every other agency on the news says a person in Eastvale, and corona, and Rancho Mirage. But San Bernardino county just says 5 in the county.
What cities?
What part of San Bernardino? City? So we can know would help where these new cases are showing up
May I ask why the Dept of Public Health is not releasing where the patient’s whereabouts prior to being diagnosed with COVID19? People could have been exposed and not know and be spreading it around while asymptomatic. If we want to stop this virus, we need to be informed. We are still going to work and grocery shopping and could be unknowingly spreading this virus.
Hi. You can find this information at http://www.sbcovid19.com.
Thank you for all this great information!!
I would like to find out what Cities in San Bernardino County have reported the five positive COVID-19. It would be helpful information to avoid those cities when buying groceries and other essentials. Many counties in California are reporting it on there websites. I’m unable to find that information in the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website.
Please advise on how to obtain that information.
You can find this information at sbcovid19.com.
Am I still able to visit my girlfriend?
How many test do San Bernardino County have possession of?
Where are these two new cases? What city? What hospital?
Please provides us with city names where these cases are. LA and Riviside do so already. It helps us avoid high risk areas. Thank you.
Do you have an estimate of the number of individual who have been tested in San Bernardino County to date?
Thank you!
Hi Katherine, you can find this information at http://www.sbcovid19.com
USA should copy what China did, build a hospital in 10 days exclusively for COVID-19 patients only.
Of course there would be more than one location and or designate one or two hospitals in each city for this COVID-19 virus.
The doctors / care providers enter in one direction only, go through hospital check on patients, when done exit through one exit only, strip off their protective gear, masks at exits only.
Is it possible to know where these cases have been confirmed? We only knew where the first one was found, after that we have not heard of where the others were located. Please advise