There are now 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County

As of 3/16 there are now 22 known cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, according to the O.C. Health Care Agency.

13 of these cases are Travel Related. Four are the result of Person to Person Spread. Four additional cases were Community Acquired. One case remains under investigation.

So far 14 of the victims are male and 8 are female. Eleven of them are in the 18 to 49 age group. Seven of them are in the 50-64 age group and four are older than 65. Interestingly there are no identified subjects under 18.

The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 300. HCA PHL has kits are currently available to test 1,075 subjects.

Some key points include:

• High-risk populations which include older adults (ages 65 and higher) as well as people who have serious, chronic medical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. These individuals should self-isolate at home.
• Residents should practice good health hygiene which includes washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not hands).
• Minimizing risk through social distancing whenever possible which includes avoiding attendance at large gatherings (250 people or more). Small gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people and provide social distancing of six feet per person.
• Maintain vigilance and personal readiness which includes being prepared if there is COVID-19 in your household or a disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food and other essentials in your house.
• Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, stay home while you are ill. If you need to seek medical care, call your health care provider first so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

Background:

There is an outbreak of respiratory illness that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in 2019 caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (or COVID-19).

On February 26, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency and County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick declared a local health emergency as part of broader preparedness efforts related to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

These actions will help ensure that the County of Orange’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak, should one occur, will remain flexible and can evolve as this rapidly changing situation does.

The HCA is working with federal, state, and local partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and health care providers on preparedness efforts and to guide appropriate care for people who may be at risk for illness associated with COVID-19 or who have tested positive.