The following is a press released issued by the Mendocino County Public Health:
Mendocino County Public Health is reporting a total of 7 COVID-19 positive Sherwood Oaks residents have now been hospitalized at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast at the time of this Press Release. This outbreak is being closely monitored by Public Health in coordination with Sherwood Oaks staff, a strike team of additional facility staff provided by the state, and Adventist Health.
“As a community we mourn for the residents of Sherwood Oaks who lost their lives to COVID-19,” said Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan. “Swift and coordinated action to prevent more illness and loss of life has been taken. It is this type of strong collaboration for the public’s health that will keep Mendocino County protected during this pandemic. Thank you Dr. Bessant Parker, Dr. William Miller and Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Hospital for providing urgently needed COVID-19 isolation care for our frail elderly.”
“This is a crisis affecting our community and we must come together as a community to solve it,” said Dr. William Miller, Chief of Staff at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Hospital.
Sherwood Oaks COVID-19 Outbreak Statistics
Total positive: 29
Residents: 20
Staff: 8
Community: 1
Total deaths: 7
Residents: 7 (6 in the nursing home and 1 in the ER)
Staff: 0
Community: 0
Total hospitalizations for illness: 6
Residents: 5
Staff: 0
Community: 1
Total hospitalizations for isolation purposes: 4 residents
“This has been a difficult time for us and so many in our community,” said Will Maloney, Administrator of Sherwood Oaks. “The Sherwood Oaks family appreciates deeply the collaboration and support we have received from Adventist Health Mendocino Coast and Mendocino County Public Health.”
COVID-19 testing in response to this outbreak is still being facilitated through Public Health or through community partners for residents and employees of Sherwood Oaks. Public Health and the congregate homes throughout the County have been meeting weekly for months, to allow a coordinated response to outbreaks and to ensure congregate homes have sufficient PPE and prevention protection protocols in place. The County and congregate homes follow all the State guidelines including; using Optum Serve to do surveillance testing for 100% of staff monthly and offering surveillance testing to residents through Public Health. The preparation, planning, frequent testing and adherence to State guidelines are a key factor in quick and coordinated response to such outbreaks.
Mendocino County is still in the middle of a COVID-19 surge. Our county’s COVID-19 data does meet the criteria to place us on the state’s Watch List, but our placement on this list has not yet been confirmed by the state.
COVID-19 Data Comparison Between State and County Chart:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=37007
Currently, the State and local orders restrict permissible gatherings to outdoor Place of Worship faith-based services and cultural ceremonies; outdoor funeral and memorial services; as well as outdoor protests. Facial coverings must be worn by all participants in accordance with the facial covering order and physical distancing of at least 6 feet is required at all times between all persons from different households, living units or Stable Bubbles. Due to the increased risk of transmission (even outdoors), the Health Officer has also limited capacity to a maximum of 100 persons. The Health Officer does not consider drive-in/drive-through activities as gatherings, if participants follow the Guidelines for Drive-In and Drive-Through Events, stay in their cars and otherwise remain apart from individuals in separate households, living units or Stable Bubbles.
This upcoming week, Mendocino County Public Health will be issuing a revised Health Order concerning these changes in gathering allowances. It is crucial that all Mendocino County residents continue to adhere to current health orders in order to protect the health of our county.
Summary of Open and Closed Businesses and Activities, in Addition to Details on Permitted Gatherings:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/home/showdocument?id=37005
Remember:
Avoid gatherings
Wear a facial covering at all times when in public
Practice social distancing
Stay home when you feel sick
“. . .this type of strong collaboration for the public’s health that will keep Mendocino County protected during this pandemic, maybe could have helped prevent to “overwhelming” outbreaks at Sherwood Oaks. It sounds like, “too little, too late!!”