Sonora, CA…Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Tuolumne County at an explosive rate, with Public Health receiving reports of 95 cases so far over the weekend; 45 on Saturday and 50 on Sunday. It is evident that we are experiencing community transmission and advise the public to stay home except for essential needs. In addition, it is vital for individuals who are having symptoms to stay home and avoid going to work or school.

Most individuals are experiencing varying levels of symptoms and the weekend cases include at least 3 individuals who are hospitalized. A rise in cases is being seen throughout the state and the impact on the healthcare system is also becoming evident. Of concern is that hospitalizations lag about a week behind the episode date, and deaths about two weeks behind, so we can expect those impacts to increase in the coming weeks.

Cases over the weekend include: Under 20: 3 females, 2 males 20s: 10 females, 6 males 30s: 7 females, 12 males 40s: 9 females, 9 males 50s: 10 females, 4 males 60s: 9 females, 6 males 70s: 3 females, 3 males 80s: 1 females, 0 males 90s: 0 females, 0 males

21 individuals were released from isolation today.

Due to the current situation, Public Health is shifting to a mitigation response and adjusting its contact tracing process. If you are notified that you are a close contact, either by Public Health, school staff, or the individual with whom you had contact, quarantine at home for 14 days from the last date of exposure and schedule a test for 5 days after exposure. Quarantine and isolation instructions are attached and can be viewed here: https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15376/What-To-Do-When-In-Quarantine-or-Isolation

• As reported yesterday, the State has communicated with local health departments on a more accelerated mitigation plan, or ‘emergency brake’. This will include a more rapid movement into more restrictive tiers of the Blueprint framework. Based on the number of cases we have seen in the past 2 weeks, the public should expect Tuolumne County to move into the Red, or possibly into the Purple Tier as soon as this week (tier placements are being announced tomorrow, Monday). More specifics on that timeline and other potential mitigation measures will be shared as we get more information from the State. Blueprint Framework info can be found here: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/#county-status

• Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home and avoid exposing others while awaiting testing and/or test results. Make an appointment to get tested as soon as possible and contact a healthcare provider if experiencing anything other than mild symptoms. Visit www.valleycovidhelp.com for more information.

• Appointments for COVID-19 tests are available between 7 AM and 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday at the state testing site at the Motherlode Fairgrounds. Make your appointment at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling (888) 634-1123. At this time, due to high demand, appointments are required and walk-ins are not being accepted. People are encouraged to take advantage of this resource and get tested right away if they have symptoms of COVID-19, five days after travel or having had close contact with others outside of their household, and test routinely if they work in high risk settings such as healthcare, corrections or congregate care facilities or if they have frequent interactions with the public through work or other community engagement.