San Andreas… Calaveras Public Health confirmed three additional deaths from COVID-19 in Calaveras County. They include one female who resided in District 5 and one female and one male who resided in District 1. All three individuals were over the age of 65. The individuals tested positive for COVID-19 and were unable to recover. Two of the three deaths have been linked to an outbreak among residents of Avalon Health Care San Andreas. Avalon infection control staff continue to work closely with Calaveras Public Health to monitor and track any new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff. HIPAA privacy rules regulate the sharing of protected health information. No additional information will be reported about these individuals.

On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Paul Beatty as Interim Health Officer. Dr. Beatty attended medical school at Michigan State University and completed his residency in California. He brings 40 years of experience in emergency medicine. He moved to Calaveras County in 1982. Like many others, he lost his home during the devastating Butte Fire of 2015, but has proudly rebuilt in Calaveras County. He joined the Calaveras Public Health team to provide best practices and science-based medical expertise in the county’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

Calaveras Public Health confirmed three additional deaths from COVID-19 in Calaveras County. They include one female who resided in District 5 and one female and one male who resided in District 1. All three individuals were over the age of 65. The individuals tested positive for COVID-19 and were unable to recover. Two of the three deaths have been linked to an outbreak among residents of Avalon Health Care San Andreas. Avalon infection control staff continue to work closely with Calaveras Public
Health to monitor and track any new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff. HIPAA privacy rules regulate the sharing of protected health information. No additional information will be reported about these individuals.

Five additional cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Calaveras County. They include two females and one male between 18-49 years of age, and two males over the age of 65. Three cases reside in District 2. Two cases reside in District 4. There are no new cases reported in the remaining Districts.

Everyone is at risk for COVID-19 and should take precautions to avoid getting exposed to the virus. Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19. This means that they may be hospitalized, require a ventilator to help them breathe, or may even be fatal. COVID-19 can be very serious and Calaveras Public Health asks that you follow the safety guidelines.

Calaveras Public Health urges those who would like to get tested for COVID-19 to please do so, especially:

 People who have symptoms of COVID-19

 People who have had close contact with someone that is confirmed to have
COVID-19

 People who have been asked or referred to get tested by their healthcare
provider

No-cost testing for COVID-19 is available to anyone 3 years of age and older. 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. Walk-ins are accepted. During the first week of November the COVID-19 testing site is moving to Tuolumne County. The state testing site, which is shared with Tuolumne County, will be located at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. The hours of operation will remain the same with
appointments and testing starting on November 3rd. If you would like to be tested for COVID-19 please register online or call (888) 634-1123.

To date, Calaveras Public Health reports a total of 347 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those cases, 319 cases have since recovered while 7 cases remain active. There have been a total of 21 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 and monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 illness.

Calaveras Public Health urges people to take preventive actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The best ways to avoid exposure to COVID-19 are to:

 Stay home if you are sick

 Stay at least 6 feet away from people outside of your household

 Wash your hands often. Use 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. The symptoms of COVID19 include:

 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

A person who has tested positive with COVID-19 may not have all or any of these symptoms. A person who has tested positive but does not have any symptoms is considered asymptomatic and can still pass on the virus to others while they are infectious.

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

Today, Calaveras County moved to the minimal risk level (yellow) on the state’s 4-tier COVID-19 system. This means that most indoor operations are open with modifications. Calaveras Public Health urges caution and encourages people to take the necessary steps to prevent being exposed to the virus and help the county continue to lower its risk level. Visit Blueprint for a Safer Economy to find specific business information and
the county’s latest status.

Calaveras Public Health asks the public to be aware of scams. A contact tracer will never ask for your social security number, bank account number, or credit card information. Our contact tracers work for Calaveras Public Health. Contact tracers help contact people who have COVID-19 to track symptoms and make sure to keep our community safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading this fall and winter. Calaveras Public Health encourages that all people 6 months and older get their yearly flu vaccine. While getting the flu vaccine will not protect against COVID19, it is shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Please speak with your local medical provider or pharmacist for flu vaccine.

To receive information and resources related to COVID-19 visit the Calaveras County COVID-19 website.