SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A public health emergency has been announced for Sacramento County in response to the coronavirus [COVID-19], county officials announced.
According to the Sacramento County Department of Health Services, the proclamations of a public and local emergency, "don't signify an increased risk to the residents" of Sacramento County. The proclamation allows the county, "to provide or receive mutual aid from other jurisdictions and assists in opening up available resources, mutual aid and staffing."
Sacramento County's announcement follows Gov. Newsom's proclamation of a statewide emergency in California following the death of a person who had a confirmed case of corornavirus.
So far, 60 people statewide have tested positive for COVID-19.
Phil Serna, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, said in a press release that the intent of the proclamation by the county is to ensure, "uninterrupted access to the resources necessary to keep people as safe as possible and lessen disease transmission."
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you’re not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask. The CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story mistakenly said there were 65 cases of COVID-19. Health officials have said that there are 60 confirmed cases. We regret the error.
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