Marin County COVID-19 status update: March 24, 2020

COVID-19 activity in Marin:

Marin County Public Health continues to advance policies to limit community spread and support our excellent healthcare partners’ capacity to respond. For more visit our Marin HHS Data website.

Clarity surrounding Marin County Park closures

Marin County’s Public Health had to make the difficult decision to close all Marin County Parks. After careful consideration, we are making the following part of the Public Health Order on Parks

• All agencies and jurisdictions operating public outdoor recreation areas, including but not limited to parks, campgrounds, and open spaces (hereinafter, “Park Facilities”), within Marin County (the “County”) are hereby directed to cease all public operations and services related to motorized access at all Park Facilities located within the County. This applies to all Park Facilities within the County, regardless of ownership.
• Individuals may continue to responsibly access those Park Facilities that are local to their residences and readily accessible by foot, bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle for the purpose of engaging in Essential Activities as defined in the March 16 Order, including outdoor exercise. Such access of Park Facilities shall be exclusively by non-motorized means, except that individuals who are not able to access such spaces via non-motorized means, such as persons with physical limitations or individuals who reside up particularly steep or hazardous hills, may continue to access Park Facilities by motorized means only to the minimum extent necessary to engage in Essential Activities.  All visitors to any Park Facility shall continue to comply with all Social Distancing Requirements, and all individuals are expected to remain local when enjoying the outdoors to the greatest extent practicable.
• This addition to the Public Health Order is in the best interest of our community health. Please walk, bike or use means other than a motorized vehicle to get to an outdoor recreation area near you.

COVID-19 Preparedness:  Long Term Care Facilities

Outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities (LTCF), including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, and residential care homes (i.e., board and care facilities) will have a critical impact on vulnerable older adults. Older residents of LTCFs appear to be particularly at risk for rapid transmission of and severe disease from COVID-19, including death.  Today Marin County Public Health issued two Public Health Advisories.  The first advisory provided guidance for LTCF to increase their readiness to prevent, screen, and care for patients with COVID-19.  The second advisory provided guidance for primary care providers who care for patients residing at LTCF.  This guidance can be widely applied to providers and families who care for individuals at risk for severe illness, especially residents > 80 years old.

• Review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resources for people who are at higher risk for severe illness (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html).
• Review National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations’ COVID-19 Shared Decision Making Tool (https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/COVID-19-Shared-Decision-Making-Tool.pdf).
• Ask your provider to complete Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).
• Review and update Advance Directives.

COVID-19 Preparedness: Medical Surge

Marin County Public Health, Marin Emergency Medical Services Agency, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Kentfield Hospital, Marin Health Medical Center, and Sutter Novato Community Hospital have been meeting twice a week to advance medical surge planning.  We are developing coordinated strategies to reduce the impact of increased ER visits, hospitalizations, and critical care admissions. 

A message from your Deputy Public Health Officer

For today’s update, Dr. Lisa Santora provides an update about all things COVID-19 to the Board of Supervisors. In addition, she recorded a status update video that talks about protecting your family and provides updated information on COVID-19 in Marin County.

(Click on the photo or watch the video on YouTube)

(Click on the photo or watch the video on YouTube)

Where to get the latest information:

Visit the official Marin County Coronavirus webpage (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus) to review answers to frequently asked questions, access guidance for special groups and subscribe for email updates. To view past status updates concerning COVID-19 activity in Marin County, click on the resources tab on the Coronavirus webpage.

Have questions?  Individuals can contact Marin Health and Human Services with non-medical questions about the coronavirus by calling (415) 473-7191 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12-noon and 1pm to 5pm) or emailing COVID-19@marincounty.org.

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