San Andreas, CA…On Friday, September 11, 2020, Calaveras Public Health confirmed 8 new deaths and 12 new cases of COVID-19 in Calaveras County. The latest fatalities include 2 females and 6 males all over the age of 65. All 8 deaths stem from the outbreak among residents of Avalon Health Care San Andreas. All individuals tested positive for the virus and were unable to recover. HIPAA privacy rules regulate the sharing of protected health information. No additional information is available about these individuals.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who passed away from COVID-19,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer. “Today is a somber day as we also remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We extend our gratitude to all the first responders for their courage and service. We also take a pause to reflect on the lives lost to COVID-19 in Calaveras County and reflect on the heroism of healthcare workers that continue to provide valuable services during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The 12 additional cases being reported include 1 female and 2 males between 0 to 17 years of age, 4 females and 2 males between 18 to 49 years of age, and 3 males over 65 years of age. There were 4 cases reported in District 1, 1 case in Districts 2, and 7 cases in District 3. There were no cases to report in Districts 4 & 5.

“Calaveras County is still among California Counties where the county risk level is substantial. This means that some indoor business operations are allowed to proceed with specific modifications. We must remain vigilant. People can help Calaveras lower its risk by taking necessary steps to prevent being exposed to COVID-19,” stated Dr. Kelaita. “Practice physical distancing, wear a face covering, get tested, wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and avoid any gatherings where physical distancing and masking is not being followed.”

To date, Calaveras Public Health has reported 298 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those cases, 259 cases have since recovered while 29 cases remain active. There have been a total of 10 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 reported in Calaveras County.

Calaveras Public Health staff continues to investigate new cases to determine any possible persons who may have had close personal contact with the positive individuals. Close contacts may be contacted by the health department, assessed and monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 illness.

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus. Some people are more likely than others to become severely ill. This means that they may need to be hospitalized, require a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.

The best ways to avoid exposure to the virus are to:
 Stay home if you are sick
 Stay at least 6 feet away from people outside of your household
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
 Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when around others

Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
 Fever or chills
 Cough
 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
 Fatigue
 Muscle or body aches
 Headache
 New loss of taste or smell
 Sore throat
 Congestion or runny nose
 Nausea or vomiting
 Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing signs, seek emergency care immediately:
 Trouble breathing
 New confusion or weakness
 Bluish lips or face
 Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
 Inability to wake or stay awake

No-cost testing for COVID-19 is available to anyone who would like to get tested. The OptumServe COVID-19 testing site located at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds is open Tuesday-Saturday from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Testing is available to those age 3 and older. People are highly encouraged to register online. People without Internet access should call (888) 634-1123. To receive information and resources related to COVID-19 visit the Calaveras County COVID-19 website.