Plumas County currently has three positive COVID-19 tests. There are many actions we can take to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. As community members we can stay home unless essential, practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and wash our hands frequently. There are also actions the healthcare system is taking to slow the spread of COVID-19, one of which is increasing testing for COVID-19
Increased testing leads to quicker identification of cases and allows for isolation of positive individuals to prevent spread. It also helps identify others who came into contact with infected people. It is with this in mind that Dr. Mark Satterfield, Plumas County Public Health Officer has recommended to all health care facilities and health care providers to “expand COVID-19 testing to less symptomatic patients and those with concerning travel or COVID-19 exposure history”. According to Dr. Satterfield, “there’s good evidence 25% or more infected people have minimal or no symptoms”.
This recommendation may be implemented by each facility, Seneca Healthcare District, Plumas District Hospital and Eastern Plumas Health Care as they deem appropriate. The criteria for testing may be individualized by each organization. This enables all healthcare facilities and providers more flexibility to test patients, not just those who are symptomatic or who have known contact with COVID-19 infected persons. In the end, it is up to the health care provider to decide if a person needs to be tested for COVID-19.
Call your healthcare provider if you believe you need to be tested for COVID-19.
In order to continue to protect the health of our community it is critical that everyone follow the executive order. Stay home unless essential, stay 6 feet from others when in public, continue to wash your hands frequently or use alcohol based rub, and cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue. Future cases of COVID-19 in our county can be minimized if the above actions are practiced by all our residents.
If you have any questions please contact the Plumas County COVID-19 informational phone line 530- 283-6400 or send an e-mail to COVID19@countyofplumas.com or visit our website at www.plumascounty.us
