San Andreas, CA…Calaveras Public Health reported yesterday that the three additional cases added to the COVID-19 count for Calaveras County were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. This is incorrect. All three cases were pasengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship. On April 9, 2020, Calaveras Public Health confirmed three additional cases of novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The case management was transferred from the state to Calaveras Public Health. They were part of a state investigation in March that stemmed from the second voyage of the Grand Princess cruise ship that departed San Francisco on February 21 with a planned return on March 7. As of April 9, Calaveras Public Health has taken over the cases for follow-up. They include two older adult females and one older adult male from Copperopolis.

Two of those cases remained outside of the county for the duration of their isolation. The third case is an older adult female who was only mildly symptomatic. Despite the lack of symptoms, a COVID-19 test conducted by state public health officials, while still under quarantine outside of the county, revealed a positive test result. She has been on self-isolation since her return to our community.

“We are learning that people can be infectious without having typical symptoms of COVID-19 illness,” said Dean Kelaita, MD, Calaveras County Health Officer. “Because of this, it is important for people to stay home as much as possible, maintain physical distancing, and use a cloth face covering when in public for essential activities.”

Calaveras Public Health staff will continue the investigation to determine any possible persons who may have had close personal contact with the positive individual, including any friends or family members, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 illness. Close personal contacts identified during this investigation will be placed under strict quarantine.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Calaveras County residents now includes these three repatriated cases. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county to eight. Of those, two cases have since recovered and there are no reported deaths.

COVID-19 information and resources can be found on the Calaveras Public Health website at https://covid19.calaverasgov.us/. The COVID-19 Community Service Call Center is available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm at (209) 754-2896.