County has not issued shelter-in-place order; explanation provided below
(NAPA, CALIF.) – Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio today issued a new health order, effective midnight tonight, limiting public and private gatherings in response to the increasing scope and severity of COVID-19.
As of this announcement, Napa County has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, increasing instances of community spread in the San Francisco Bay Area require the issuance of this new order, according to Dr. Relucio.
The public health order can be found at https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/16673/Health-Officer-Order-3-17-2020-PDF
Summary of key points:
- Effective as of 12:01 a.m. on March 18, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020, public or private gatherings of 50 or more persons are hereby prohibited in the County except as necessary to perform essential government functions.
- Public or private gatherings of fewer than 50 persons are permitted in the County only if hosts or sponsors implement all of the COVID-19 risk mitigation measures (see Health Order).
- The Health Officer strongly cautions that persons aged 65 years and older, and persons of any age with certain underlying health conditions should avoid all gatherings of any size and at any location, because these persons are at increased risk of severe illness should they contract COVID-19.
Contrary to erroneous media reports, Napa County has not issued a shelter-in-place order similar to other Bay Area counties. Dr. Relucio has provided the following statement explaining why such an order has not been issued:
“Based on regular medical surveillance of Emergency Department visits for influenza like illnesses (ILI), which include influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, Napa County is not experiencing a significant increase from baseline activity. Additionally, outbreaks that are occurring are from influenza and RSV. Napa County is on the outskirts of the COVID-19 epi-center in Santa Clara County.
“Following discussions with several public health officials, given the distance from the epi-center and lack of confirmed cases in Napa County, the countywide shelter-in-place strategy has not been directed at this time. Napa County continues to advise, per state guidance, that adults over 65 and older or those with underlying illnesses isolate themselves at home, and that all residents practice social distancing.
“Additionally, per Napa County’s Public Health Order, all public or private gatherings of 50 or more persons are prohibited in Napa County through April 7, 2020. Regular updates will be provided via Nixle, countyofnapa.org/coronavirus, through social media forums and through media outreach. Napa County Public Health continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely, and updated orders will be issued as the situation dictates.”
The Board of Supervisors and staff of Napa County are dedicated to preserving and sustaining Napa County for present and future generations as a community with generous open space, a thriving agricultural industry and a quality human and natural environment. Visit us on the web at www.countyofnapa.org, or follow us on social media -- @CountyofNapa on Twitter or Napa County, California on Facebook.