On February 26, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency and County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick declared a local health emergency as part of broader preparedness efforts related to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
These actions will help ensure that the County of Orange’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak, should one occur, will remain flexible and can evolve as this rapidly changing situation does.
The Health Care Agency is working with federal, state, and local partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and health care providers, on preparedness efforts to guide appropriate care for people who may be at risk for illness associated with COVID-19, or who have tested positive.
Key points to take into consideration:
- High-risk populations which include older adults (ages 65 and higher) as well as people who have serious, chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease), are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. These individuals should self-isolate at home.
- Residents should practice good health hygiene which includes washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not hands).
- Minimizing risk through social distancing whenever possible which includes avoiding attendance at large gatherings (250 people or more). Small gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people and provide social distancing of six feet per person.
- Maintain vigilance and personal readiness which includes being prepared if it is COVID-19 in your household or disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food and other essentials in your house.
Call ahead:
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, stay home while you are ill. If you need to seek medical care, call your health care provider first so that appropriate precautions can be taken. If you believe that you might have COVID-19, inform the operator at 911 of your concern and put on a facemask before medical help arrives.
For the most updated information on this outbreak please visit www.cdc.gov
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) CDC COVID-19. The link can also be found under links to Additional Resources below.
PREVENTION
Know-How it Spreads
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19).
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
How to protect yourself
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
How to protect others
- Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day. High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
- Monitor your symptoms
- Seek medical attention, but call your doctor before going in.
- Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department
How to discontinue home isolation
If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
- You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
- at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
- You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath has improved) AND you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow the CDC guidelines.
In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.
To disinfect:
The most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.
Options include:
- Diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution, mix 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
- Alcohol solutions. Ensure the solution has at least 70% alcohol.
- Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants. For products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens, visit www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. Claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).