NOTE: As this situation continues to develop Mendocino County has established a bilingual call line, at 707-234-6052, open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., an email address at callcenter@mendocinocounty.org, and plans to provide updates every Monday.

NOTA: El condado de Mendocino ha establecido una línea de llamada bilingüe, al 707-234-6052, abierta de lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., y una dirección de correo electrónico en callcenter@mendocinocounty.org, y emitirá informes todos los lunes. Publicaremos este artículo en español tan pronto que lo podamos traducir.

MENDOCINO Co., 3/6/20 — Mendocino County declared a state of emergency this week^[1] in anticipation of the possible spread of the COVID-19 (AKA the novel coronavirus), although there have been no reported cases — and so far no tests conducted — on local residents.

County officials, legislative aids, and local medical providers held a press conference^[2] in Ukiah on Thursday, to discuss preparation efforts within Mendocino, and to provide recommendations for the public as to how to best prepare. And California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered that free COVID-19 tests be made avaliable through the state and private insurance companies, although the actual number of tests available is limited so far. He has also authorizes some financial assistance to some eligible workers required to stay home due to coronavirus.

(This article will be updated with a full report on the county’s COVID-19 preparations soon, including more specifics on the preparations underway by county officials, schools, and local medical providers.)

So far, only a handful of people in Mendocino County have been asked to self-quarantine, and none of those people met the previous requirements for COVID-19 testing, although those requirement have since been loosened.

Mendocino County has no public health lab, and anyhow the limited number of test kits in Northern California are in Richmond, meaning that COVID-19 tests must be sent to Richmond. Due to a limited statewide availability the requests will be prioritized for sensitive and front-line populations including medical providers and those with respiratory issues.

Members of the public are encouraged to prepare to stay home if necessary — to take sick days and keep children home from school as symptoms crop up, because isolation can be one of the most powerful tools in avoiding an epidemic. Symptoms of the virus are similar to those of a severe flu, and include fever and respiratory distress, including a cough. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and requiring medical attention is asked to call ahead before visiting a clinic or hospital, or to inform dispatchers when contacting 911 — this simple act of communication will allow medical professionals to take precautions to limit the spread of the virus.

The State of California also announced a number of new measures, that would facilitate free COVID-19 tests for California residents, and provide additional unemployment payments for those who are required to self-quarantine or miss work. However, although the criteria for testing potential coronavirus patients has been loosened, the number of tests available statewide remains limited. At least 69 cases and 1 death have been reported in California as of the afternoon of Friday, March 6, included cases of “community transmission” that cannot be tracked to travel or contact with other cases. There are additional reported cases on a cruise ship being held off the San Francisco coast, and another nearly 10,000 people self-monitoring and under quarantine.

See above for the video of Mendocino County’s press conference^[4], and follow this link for our full coverage of the novel coronavirus^[5], including the local emergency declarations^[6].

Below is this March 5 press release from California Governor Gavin Newsom that outlines the state’s recent efforts to prepare for and control the spread of the coronavirus.

Mendocino County’s press conference from March 5, included Sheriff Matthew Kendall, Interim Public Health Officer Naeomi Mimi Doohan, County CEO Carmel Angele and Office of Emergency Service Tammy Moss Chandler, Superintendent of Schools Michelle Hutchins, Adventist Health’s Jason Wells as well as other local medial professionals, representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Jim Wood, State Senator Mike McGuire, and Congressman Jared Huffman, and others:

Press release from March 5 from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office (Editor’s note: the number of reported cases is rapidly changing and has increased since the numbers reported on the morning of March 5, when this press release was issued):

SACRAMENTO – Today, under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, the Department of Managed Health Care directed^[7] all commercial and Medi-Cal health plans regulated by the Department to immediately reduce cost-sharing to zero for all medically necessary screening and testing for the COVID-19. This includes waiving cost-sharing for emergency room, urgent care or provider office visits when the purpose of the visit is to be screened and tested for COVID-19. The need for COVID-19 testing is based on medical necessity, a clinical determination made on a case by case basis by medical professionals. 

“Californians shouldn’t have to fear a big medical bill just because they took a test for COVID-19,” said Governor Newsom. “This action means that Californians who fit the testing requirements can receive the test at no cost. We’re all in this together, and I’m grateful to those health providers who have already stepped up and heeded our call.”  

“This action will ensure that Californians who need a test will receive one at no cost,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. “This doesn’t mean every Californians should be seeking a test. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care.” 

Today the California Department of Insurance issued similar direction^[8] providing cost free medically necessary testing for an additional 2 million Californians. Combined these announcements ensure that 24 million more Californians are eligible to receive testing, should their health care provider deem it medically necessary.

The Department of Managed Health Care also directed health plans to increase capacity to screen and treat COVID-19 as needed to minimize further transmission by encouraging health plans to expand telehealth services and to take steps to ensure patients receive medically necessary medication if there is a shortage of a particular drug. 

These orders from the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance do not apply to individuals in self-insured health coverage products. 

Support Now Available for Employers and Workers Impacted by COVID-19 

Also today, the California Employee Development Department announced support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, the use of online options is encouraged. 

Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim^[9]. 

Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 – $1,300 a week. 

Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim^[10]. 

Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 – $1,300 a week. 

Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Work Sharing Program receive the percentage of their weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent. 

Visit the Work Sharing Program^[11] to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply. 

Governor Proclaimed State of Emergency 

Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19. The proclamation comes as the number of positive California cases rises and following one official COVID-19 death. 

The emergency proclamation includes provisions that protect consumers against price gouging, allow for health care workers to come from out of state to assist at health care facilities, and give health care facilities the flexibility to plan and adapt to accommodate incoming patients. 

A copy of the emergency proclamation can be found here^[12]. 

COVID-19 in California by the Numbers (as of 10 a.m. Pacific Time): 

60– Positive cases 

1 – Death 

24 – Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights 

36 – Cases not related to repatriation flights 

• 18 – Travel-related 
• 10 – Person to person 
• 4 – Community transmission 
• 4 – Currently under investigation 

9,400+ – number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX 

49 – Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring 

15 – Labs with test kits 

How Can People Protect Themselves: 

Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense: 

• Washing hands with soap and water. 
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. 
• Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough. 
• Following guidance from public health officials. 

What to Do if You Think You’re Sick: 

• Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken. 

California’s Response to COVID-19: 

We have been actively and extensively planning with our local public health and health care delivery systems. Here are some of the things we are already doing:  

• As in any public health event, the California Department of Public Health’s Medical and Health Coordination Center has been activated and is coordinating public health response efforts across the state. 
• California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local partners, hospitals and physicians. 
• California activated the State Operations Center to coordinate response efforts across the state. 
• Governor Gavin Newsom requested the Legislature make up to $20 million available for state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19. 
• California made available some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95 filtering facepiece masks for use in certain health care settings to ease shortages of personal protective equipment. 
• The Public Health Department is providing information, guidance documents, and technical support to local health departments, health care facilities, providers, schools, universities, colleges, and childcare facilities across California. 
• It is coordinating with federal authorities and local health departments that have implemented screening, monitoring and, in some cases quarantine of returning travelers. 
• In coordination with the CDC, state and local health departments, we are actively responding to cases of COVID-19.  
• The Public Health Department is supporting hospitals and local public health laboratories in the collection of specimens and testing for COVID-19. 
• The California Department of Public Health’s state laboratory in Richmond and 14 other public health department laboratories now have tests for the virus that causes COVID-19.​​ 

www.cdph.ca.gov^[13]

References

1. ^{^} declared a state of emergency this week (mendovoice.com)
2. ^{^} a press conference (mendovoice.com)
3. ^{^} The Mendocino Voice (www.facebook.com)
4. ^{^} press conference (mendovoice.com)
5. ^{^} full coverage of the novel coronavirus (mendovoice.com)
6. ^{^} local emergency declarations (mendovoice.com)
7. ^{^} directed (cert1.mail-west.com)
8. ^{^} issued similar direction (cert1.mail-west.com)
9. ^{^} file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim (cert1.mail-west.com)
10. ^{^} file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim (cert1.mail-west.com)
11. ^{^} Work Sharing Program (cert1.mail-west.com)
12. ^{^} here (cert1.mail-west.com)
13. ^{^} www.cdph.ca.gov (cert1.mail-west.com)

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