SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Office of Education said Tuesday that every school district in the county is working together to address the outbreak of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
There have been no cases of the virus confirmed in Santa Cruz County, and health officials say the risk to the community remains low.
Still, the disease has spread to 80 countries, with 94,000 cases reported and 3,200 deaths since it was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December, the New York Times reported.
About 80 percent of the people who contract the virus will not have symptoms that require hospitalization, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Dominican Hospital officials announced late Thursday afternoon that they are limiting visitors to one per day per patient, and that visitors must be 16 or older. In addition, patients and visitors may only enter through the hospital main entrance or the Emergency Department.
Dominican is also requiring masks for all emergency patients experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion.
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newell was planning to visit Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) on Friday to talk to staff and administrators about the evolving situation with COVID-19.
Halsen Healthcare Chairman and CEO Dan Brothman said the hospital is “well supplied and well trained.”
“We have a large inventory of pharmaceuticals and supplies, and we stand ready to take care of anyone who needs help,” Brothman said. “We’re working closely with the county health department, and we want to be in sync with them and the state and the CDC.
Because COVID-19 has the potential for long-term disruption to the community and schools, public health and education officials are asking that students and families who are sick to stay home and call a doctor if necessary.
Anyone who has had known contact with a COVID-19 patient, has traveled abroad to an area impacted by the virus, or who is exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty breathing, is asked to contact a doctor immediately.
Custodians at schools throughout the county are disinfecting desks and other surfaces, and educators are teaching students about how they can protect themselves and their families.
The SCCOE warned that response to the virus could include temporary school closures. Families are urged to have plans in place for how they would manage a school closure or how to keep all members of the household free from illness if a caregiver becomes sick.
News of the virus’ spread has caused a nationwide shortage of certain household supplies.
Drug stores throughout Watsonville said Thursday they had run out of hand sanitizer and face masks.
Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that it is temporarily stopping jail tours, screening those being brought to the main jail and stopping contact visits at all facilities. The move is in response to the declaration of local health emergency.
County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios will ask the Board of Supervisors to declare a local emergency over COVID-19. The Board of Supervisors will be asked to ratify the declarations at its Tuesday meeting.
Sheriff Jim Hart said he is taking the precaution for the safety of people in jail, staff and visitors. Corrections medical staff has been monitoring the situation and there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the jail.
“We are taking proactive steps to minimize any potential threat to those not only living in our facilities, but also working there or coming to visit,” Hart said.
Additionally, Starbucks announced Wednesday that they are pausing the use of personal cups and “for here” ware in their stores, as a way to stop potential spread of the virus.
“We will continue to honor the 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup or asks for ‘for here’ ware,” said president Rossann Williams.
She added that the company has also restricted its business-related air travel through March 31, and “modified or postponed” large meetings across its offices in the U.S. and Canada.
For information, visit the following websites.
www.santacruzhealth.org/Coronavirus
Editor’s note: Pajaronian reporter and photographer Tarmo Hannula contributed to this report.
