Sonora, CA… Last night, March 25th, 2020, the Tuolumne County Public Health Department was notified that a 31 year-old female resident of Mono County tested positive for COVID-19 and is being treated at Adventist Health Sonora. Preliminary investigations indicate that the patient’s exposure to COVID-19 occurred in Mono County then the person traveled to Tuolumne County, then later sought medical care. This case is associated with community transmission in Mono County and was not acquired through local community spread in Tuolumne.

Early investigation indicates the patient traveled with a companion who has also developed minor symptoms but is under isolation. Tuolumne and Mono County Departments of Public Health are both working to identify any other potential contacts.

“We must remain ready for additional cases of COVID-19 in our county and work with our partners to rapidly contain any cases that arise,” said Dr. Eric Sergienko, Tuolumne County Interim Health Officer. “Tuolumne County Public Health staff are coordinating quickly with Mono County on the investigation in order to contain the virus to the case and contact identified last night”, added Dr. Sergienko.

Tuolumne County Public Health will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
It is important to remind everyone of the importance of complying with local and state health officer orders, including the California Health Officer’s stay-at-home order in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Details and frequently asked questions regarding the stay-at-home order can be viewed at the California COVID-19 website: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#top

A local Health Officer’s Order will go into effect today to Screen for Febrile Respiratory Illness (FRI) and for Ill Residents to Isolate. This is an order that has been developed over the last week in conjunction with other county departments and county counsel. The order directs healthcare providers to report to Public Health all febrile (related to fever) respiratory illness, provides monitoring and isolation instructions, and for employers to screen their employees for FRI before they start their workday.

In addition to the activities outlined in the Health Officer Order and other guidance materials issued by the CDC and California Department of Public Health, individuals can continue to take the following actions to help to prevent acquiring or spreading COVID-19:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick
• Clean surfaces that are touched often, like toys and doorknobs, phones, etc.
• Maintain regular healthy activities such as physical exercise and eating nutritious foods
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