The following is a press release from the Mendocino County Department of Public Health
Mendocino County Public Health is reporting a troubling spike in COVID-19 cases stemming from social gatherings and close living quarters, such as apartment complexes. Spikes in these settings are dangerous, as they often allow for quicker spread of the virus.
Public Health has been preparing for the upcoming holiday weekend, but urges all county residents to remember the unfortunate lessons learned from previous holidays that caused dangerous virus spikes within our community.
“This news is extremely concerning, especially before Labor Day,” said Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren. “While we have seen that our case count is beginning to decrease, we could suffer a setback from a holiday spike in cases from extended family gatherings, parties, or among those living in close quarters, and we as a community would not be able to open up more activities as we hope to.”
What You Can Do to Slow the Spread of COVID-19:
-Health Orders for Mendocino County ban social gatherings. Do not engage with any kind of social gathering outside of permitted units (Household Support Units have a maximum of 6 unchanging individuals, Childcare and Children’s Extracurricular Activity Units have a maximum of 14 children and 2 adults, Work Groups have a maximum of 6 individuals), no matter the occasion. Gatherings in backyards, beaches and parks can still spread the virus if social distancing is not maintained.
-If you live in close living quarters, such as an apartment complex, avoid close contact with neighbors, and avoid high-touch surfaces. If you must touch a high-touch surface, such as door handles, countertops, laundry, coin or vending machines, wash or sanitize your hands immediately.
-Wear a facial covering if you must be in a setting where proper social distancing is difficult to maintain. This includes wearing a mask in common areas such as hallways, walkways, laundry rooms, in indoor and outdoor public spaces, etc.
Stay home if you feel sick.
“This situation can get out of hand easily if we do not work quickly to solve it,” said Dr. Coren. “I urge you, do not be tempted by typical Labor Day festivities this weekend. It isn’t worth it. We as a county have lost 17 lives to this virus. Your family, your loved ones are not immune to COVID-19. Neither are you.”
If you are aware of a social gathering that is occurring against local Health Orders, please report it by calling the Call Center line (707) 234-6052. While inquiry and information calls are deferred to regular hours of operation, reports of Health Order violations are investigated and responded to promptly.
