As Sonoma County works to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (also referred to as “COVID-19), influenza season is approaching. The co-occurrence of influenza season and the COVID-19 pandemic increases the risk that our health systems may be overwhelmed with patients with critical respiratory illness.

At this stage of the pandemic, scientific evidence and best practices suggest that visitation can occur without significant increased risk of COVID-19 transmission as long as safety guidelines are strictly followed, and the risk of poor health outcomes as a result of social isolation outweighs the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

As parts of the County are evacuating from the recent wildfires, including the Glass Fire you may receive calls from patients describing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Sheltering in place is important for people in high-risk groups, especially older adults living in residential facilities.

Follow updated guidance on: Discontinuing Isolation for Persons; Returning-to-Work Criteria for Health Care Personnel; Prioritizing COVID-19 Testing; Managing Persons Under Investigation; Submitting a Confidential Morbidity and Laboratory Report

The Isolation Order has changed to: a) increase the isolation period to 10 days (up from 7 days); b) clarify the categories of  individuals to be place on isolation; and c) assign to the primary role of serving the Isolation Order to the County.

The Health Officer recommends that, prior to scheduling elective procedures, healthcare providers develop and implement COVID-19 elective procedure guidelines that addresses the considerations spelled out this in guidance. 

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a Health Alert as a result of updated guidance for persons under investigation (PUI), infection control guidelines, and geographic areas impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a Health Alert as a result of updated guidance for persons under investigation (PUI), infection control guidelines, and geographic areas impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a Health Order imposing a countywide moratorium on large gatherings consistent with guidance issued on March 11, 2020 by the California Department of Public Health and the Office of the Governor in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

With the expanded ability of commercial labs to perform COVID-19 testing, Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) is providing updated guidance.  Of note, DHS approval is no longer needed for testing.

The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a Sonoma County resident was diagnosed in an individual who had recently returned from a “Mexican Riviera” cruise on the Grand Princess (Princess Cruises) from February 11-21, 2020 out of San Francisco with several stops in Mexico before returning to San Francisco.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a Health Alert as a result of updated guidance for persons under investigation (PUI), infection control guidelines, and geographic areas impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection will implement enhanced health screenings to detect ill travelers traveling to the United States on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, China. SFO and LAX, as well as JFK, will require passengers from Wuhan to complete health screening form. 

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has issued a Health Alert as a result of changing case definition, infection control guidelines and travel restrictions related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

As part of efforts to improve the reporting of pesticide illnesses, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the California Environmental Protection Agency issued a Health Alert.

Effective January 1, 2019, California Health & Safety Code Section 1262.5 establishes requirements of general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals and special hospitals serving homeless patients. 

Although influenza activity is decreasing across the nation, in certain areas, including Sonoma County, activity remains widespread and significantly elevated above baseline. 

Influenza activity within Sonoma County and California is currently low; however, some local healthcare providers are beginning to diagnose influenza.

Consider screening for infectious diseases that are not uncommon in homeless communities such as TB, sexually transmitted infections (Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea), HIV, and Hepatitis A/B/C. Seize the opportunity of a healthcare visit and avoid delaying next steps.

In Sonoma County, suspected accidental fentanyl related deaths have increased (12 in 2018 as of 7/31/18, 5 in 2017, and 3 in 2016). In California, fentanyl deaths increased from 2016 to 2017 by 57%. In 2017, 373 fentanyl deaths and 1,882 opioid overdose deaths were reported in California.

There continues to be an increase in early syphilis cases in Sonoma County, including known transmission within heterosexual networks resulting in cases among women of childbearing age. Rising numbers among women increase the potential for congenital syphilis which can cause devastating outcomes for newborns including stillbirth or infant death.

This is an update to the September 2017 Hepatitis A Outbreak health advisory.

Due to the traumatic events of the October firestorm, many Sonoma County residents are experiencing stress reactions consistent with an exposure to a disaster. We are encouraging all health care providers in the community to be aware of the mental health needs of their patients and to provide appropriate support. Please review the Health Advisory for more information, specific requested actions and resources.

Influenza activity within Sonoma County and California is currently low; however, some local healthcare providers are beginning to diagnose influenza.

Currently, we have no outbreak associated cases of hepatitis A in Sonoma County. However, several California counties (San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles) are reporting outbreaks of genotype IB strains of hepatitis A virus (HAV) among individuals who are homeless and/or using illicit drugs. Additional California counties, Arizona and Utah are reporting cases associated with the outbreaks.

There is an ongoing national shortage of benzathine penicillin G, the recommended drug for treating primary, secondary and latent syphilis.

Several Northern California counties, including Sonoma County, are experiencing an increase in gastrointestinal illness among students and staff in the school setting.

The California Department of Public Health is investigating an outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with consumption of a nacho cheese sauce served at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove.

Nearly every week, a person in Sonoma County dies from an accidental drug overdose. Prescription drug use and misuse is a large contributing factor to this problem.