First, second and third cases of community spread of COVID-19 identified
In a press conference at noon on March 15, county officials confirmed that the first case of community spread of COVID-19. The infected individual is an employee of Rohnert Park Medical Center, and individuals who have been in contact with that person are in the process of being notified, according to interim-public health officer Dr. Sundari Mase. Another person who has been in direct contact with the infected subject has been tested and is in self-quarantine.
HUSD suspends site-based learning until April 5
The Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) announced Saturday afternoon, March 14, that the district will suspend site-based learning from March 16 to April 5.
County canceling large gatherings
In a press release from the Sonoma County Health Department, Sonoma County Interim Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase announced Friday afternoon, March 13, that mass gatherings of 250 individuals or more in the county must be canceled. Additionally, the press release states that gatherings of 10 or more people who are at higher risk for illness must be canceled as well, with the exception of family gatherings. The order is part of an increasing effort to limit the possibility of community transmission of COVID-19.
Census forms going out March 12
Census 2020 is poised to get underway, and the county is ready to make sure every person gets counted, as part of their Get Counted Sonoma campaign.Â
Fiddling Around, March 7
JAM SESSSION — The 43rd annual Old Time Fiddle Festival was held last weekend on March 7. The festival came back after a yearlong hiatus and seemed to take a hit in attendance as a result of COVID-19. During the event, event director Judith Jones said that two scheduled vendors dropped out before the event due to the virus and that she expected attendance took a hit for the same reason.
Highlights from the Sonoma County Coronavirus Town Hall
The Sonoma County Coronavirus Town Hall, held on March 11, brought together the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors Susan Gorin, interim Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase and Christopher Godley, director of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management. The town hall was broadcast by KRCB Public Media and facilitated by Steve Mencher, KRCB’s news director. It featured questions gathered by email and phone from Sonoma County citizens.
Local canceled or postponed events
As precautionary measure surrounding the coronavirus epidemic, many local events, from public meetings to festivals have been canceled or postponed in recent days due to the potential health risks of hosting large groups of people in confined spaces.
