The Los Angeles Post

LA County Coronavirus Emergency Declaration

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This morning the LA County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health joined the City of Los Angeles in declaring a local and public health emergency in response to increased spread of coronavirus across the country and six new cases in the County.

This declaration will help the County quickly access state and federal funding to support our efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in LA County.

Our Public Health Department has confirmed that none of the new cases are from community spread and were instead all from incidents of known contact with a sick person.

That said, now is the time for the public to be prepared and take measures to maintain public health.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Stay home if you are sick. If you have mild symptoms, there may be no need to go to a medical facility to see a doctor (though certain patients, such as the elderly, should call their doctor earlier).
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Get immunized against the flu to protect yourself and your family, and reduce the potential strain on the healthcare system that coronavirus may cause.
  • Practice simple social distancing strategies that limit your exposure to others who may be ill (verbal salutations in place of handshakes and hugs, not sharing utensils, etc.)
  • Plan for the possibility of business disruptions, school closures, and modifications/cancellations of select public events.
  • Make sure you are using a robust, regular cleaning and disinfection schedule for frequently touched surfaces.

In the meantime, everyone and every Department within LA County is working together to help slow the spread of this virus.

Here’s what the County is doing:

  • Testing at our Public Health Lab: Public Health is among ten California health labs to receive CDC test kits, with additional kits on the way and we will be able to test locally for coronavirus.
  • Ensuring that people who test positive for coronavirus and their close contacts are quickly identified, monitored, and supported while they are in isolation and/or quarantined.
  • Asking businesses, schools, and community-based organizations to prepare plans that allow people to stay home if they are sick (even mildly) without the risk of being penalized and without requiring a doctor’s note.
  • Daily radio briefing updates by the Public Health Director and Health Officer.
  • Providing additional guidance for childcare facilities, schools, colleges and universities, employers, hotels, public safety responders, shelters, congregate living facilities and parents on how to prepare for and slow the spread of the virus.
  • Weekly telebriefings with elected officials, city managers, and leaders at businesses, organizations, schools, faith-based communities and healthcare facilities (this includes over 3500 identified contacts).
  • Site visits to every interim housing facility to assist the implementation of environmental practices and modifications that can reduce transmission of respiratory illness.
  • Communication and preparation with our first responders, healthcare facility partners and healthcare providers to ensure continued readiness for this dynamic situation, including ensuring adequate PPE supplies for healthcare workers.
  • Updating our pandemic response plan for the coronavirus in accordance with CDC guidance and local conditions.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about the new coronavirus, including the Department of Public Health’s website and the CDC’s website.

Thank you,

Supervisor Janice Hahn
http://hahn.lacounty.gov/