Orange County is imposing greater restrictions on public life in response to the 42 coronavirus cases announced by the OC Health Care Agency on Wednesday.
Most cases in O.C. were travel-related, but twelve were deemed community-acquired meaning that the infected patient had no known connection to another recorded case. The county has imposed restrictions to counteract further spreading. All kinds of gatherings have been banned, bars and pubs have been ordered to close, and restaurants are encouraged to switch to delivery or pick-up services only.
On Tuesday, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa announced that a Louis Vuitton employee tested positive for coronavirus, promoting the entire mall to shut down temporarily.
Orange County health officials assure that thisisnot a lockdown or shelter-in-place. The county’s Tuesday press release says “It’s important for all Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the governer’s guidance.”
The CDC is updating frequently on its website and on social media platforms with tips on how to keep yourself safe and clean. They stress the importance of social distancing because of how COVID-19 mainly spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact (within six feet) of another person.
As fortraveling, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has blocked non-citizens coming from China, Iran and certain parts of Europe from entering the country. American citizens, legal residents and immediate family members can fly in from a designated airport for health screenings.
A Facebook live hosted by Rep. Gil Cisneros at St. Jude of Fullerton on Wednesday answered questions asked by quarantined O.C. residents.
His guest, Director of Infection Prevention Dr. Claudia Skinner, advised to visit your primary care practitioner if you’re showing symptoms of the virus and to visit the emergency room if your condition worsens afterwords.
Cisneros also addressed the panic-buying situation observed at supermarkets and convenience stores, “Please when you’re out there shopping, just take what you need. It really puts our most vulnerable communities at risk if they can’t get food or supplies.”
For more information about COVID-19 and the latest updates in Orange County, you can visit OC Health Care Agency’s website at https://www.ochealthinfo.com/.