The City of Rancho Palos Verdes receives regular updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding novel coronavirus. Here is the latest information:
On March 4, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health declared a local and public health emergency in response to increased spread of coronavirus across the country and six additional cases in LA County. Public Health stated that none of the new cases are from community spread, and all of these new cases were exposed to COVID-19 through close contacts. None of these cases were linked to the first case reported in LA County in January.
Information about the new cases:
- One individual was most likely exposed by an infected traveler at their job.
- Two people were most likely exposed by a family member who was a positive case and lives outside of LA County.
- Three were travelers who traveled together in northern Italy.
Public Health has identified persons who may have had close personal contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness. All confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined. There are no known exposures to the general public.
Public Health continues to recommend that the public do the following to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.
- Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Face masks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and those directly caring for people who are sick and by people who are sick (source control).
- Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season.
Guidance for Employers: Please allow for flexibility with regards to individuals who may be sick and may require sick time off. For further information, instructions, and guidelines, please refer to the following link from the Department of Public Health: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceForEmployers.pdf
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
LA County residents can also call 2-1-1
To view a real-time map of coronavirus cases around the world produced by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering, visit https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
