UPDATE: A third patient from Travis Air Force Base in a Contra Costa hospital has tested positive for COVID-19. Patient was transferred last week to a local hospital, which has been following CDC safety protocols to protect patients and medical staff
ORIGINAL POST: Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) today confirmed two cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in patients being treated at hospitals in the county.
The patients were transported to Contra Costa County early this morning from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, where some international travelers have been recently quarantined because they may have been exposed to the virus.
The patients, who were among the recent U.S. evacuees from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, are receiving care in Contra Costa due to a lack of space at facilities closer to the base that can properly isolate them to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. While the two patients tested positive for COVID-19, they have yet to show any symptoms of the virus, such as fever and difficulty breathing.
The hospital and public health officials are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Heath (CDPH) to ensure the patients receive excellent care and that all procedures are followed to protect the community from COVID-19.
“Our county’s healthcare system is prepared to handle COVID-19,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “We have been working with our hospital partners to follow safety protocols to keep patients and healthcare workers safe and minimize the risk of the virus spreading in Contra Costa,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer.
The patients did not become infected in Contra Costa County. CCHS will not release further details about the patients to protect their medical privacy.
The best way to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
• People who are sick should always cover their coughs and sneezes using a tissue or the crook of their elbow; wash your hands after using a tissue to wipe your nose or mouth
• People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are well
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands
Contra Costa residents should contact their healthcare providers if they have symptoms and had close contact with someone with symptoms who traveled in the last 14 days from China.
All travelers to the U.S. from China since Feb. 2 have been asked to self-quarantine under the guidance of their local public health department for 14 days.
Currently heading off any chance of future infection with massive dose of Vitamin D in the backyard. This weather is amazing.
I find that whole sneeze into your sleeve thing really distasteful.
I under alcohol is good in these situations. I intend to start drinking heavily tonight starting about 5.
I’ve given up Chinese checkers for lent.
Racial prejudice and discrimination will ultimately have a more devastating impact than this virus is likely to have.
To put this in context: More than 12,000 people have died from the influenza (the flu) nationally, making the coronavirus only one among several other concerns. We are in the height of flu season, and we need to remember that precautions can be taken to head off any ill effects.
I have a feeling of deja vu with the public health and media handling of this outbreak, comparing it to the beginning of the HIV/Aids pandemic. Similarities include general uncertainty about the epidemiology, and the stigmatizing of particular groups of people. Fear, anxiety and blame result when people do not trust the message or the messenger.
We seem to be operating under the protocol of at-risk patients self-reporting and self-isolating. It makes me wonder if our health officials should revise or reinvent their current method of disseminating information to the public. The media, of course, has a huge role in providing correct information in order to implement preventative public health measures but if there’s confusion — or hesitation — at the top the confusion will only filter down.
Everything is fine. The stock market is healthy. The Covid thing is overblown. Your president just told you so.
Well, over 400 people have been tested nationwide! I’m sure that’s a good sample size. Nothing to worry about!