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Public Health Status Update for 03/28/2024

Marin County Public Health Status Update for March 28, 2024 includes Video: Fentanyl Crisis Update; Measles; Maternal Mental Health; Long Term Care Settings Outbreak Free; and COVID-19 Data Update.  

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Archived: Public Health Emergency Quarantine Order 5/20/20

ARCHIVED: HEALTH OFFICER ORDER FOR THE CONTROL OF COVID-19

Public Health Emergency Quarantine Order
Original Date Order Issued: May 20, 2020
This Order is in effect until rescinded in writing by the Health Officer.

SUMMARY OF THE ORDER

California is in a State of Emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a substantial danger to the health of the public within the County of Marin. COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another. This Order is issued based on scientific evidence and best practices as currently known and available to protect vulnerable members of the public from avoidable risk of serious illness or death resulting from exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County of Marin (“County”) places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19. There is growing evidence of transmission risk from infected persons before the onset of symptoms. Thus, all individuals who contract COVID-19, regardless of their level of symptoms (none, mild or severe), may place other vulnerable members of the public at significant risk. Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19 and no specific treatment.

To help slow COVID-19’s spread, protect vulnerable individuals, and prevent the healthcare system in Marin County from being overwhelmed, it is necessary for the County of Marin Public Health Officer (“Health Officer”) to require the quarantine of persons exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others, until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease. This Order updates the description of close contacts to include all persons who have been within six feet of the person diagnosed with COVID-19 during the infectious period as defined.

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND
SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175,
THE COUNTY OF MARIN HEALTH OFFICER ORDERS:

All household members, intimate partners, and caregivers of a person with COVID-19 must quarantine themselves. These persons are required to follow all instructions in this Order and the Public Health guidance documents referenced in this Order.

Violation of this Order is a crime, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a year in jail. (Health & Saf. Code §§ 120295 et seq.; Cal. Penal Code §§ 69 & 148) 

Quarantine Requirements for Household Contacts, Intimate Partners, and Caregivers of Persons with COVID-19, Close contacts to persons with COVID-19 (“cases”) are defined as individuals who:

  • Live in or have stayed at the case’s residence OR
  • Are intimate sexual partners of the case OR
  • Provide or provided care to the case without wearing a mask, gown, and gloves.
  • Someone who was within six feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or longer

AND

This contact occurred while the case was determined to be infectious. A case is infectious from 48 hours before their symptoms began and until they are released from isolation.

All individuals who have been identified as close contacts to a person with COVID-19 must immediately take the following actions:

  1. Stay in their home or another residence through 10 days from the last date that they were in contact with the person infected or likely to be infected with COVID-19. Individuals are required to quarantine themselves for the entirety of the 10-day incubation period because they are at high risk for developing and spreading COVID-19.
  2. Quarantined persons may not leave their place of quarantine or enter any other public or private place except to receive necessary medical care.
  3. Carefully review and closely follow all requirements listed in the “COVID-19 Guidance: At Home Quarantine & Isolation Safety” posted at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/file/82.
  4. If a quarantined person becomes sick with fever, cough, or shortness of breath (even if their symptoms are very mild), they should isolate themselves at home and away from other people, contact their medical provider and follow the “COVID-19 Guidance: At Home Quarantine & Isolation Safety” posted at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/file/82. This is because they are likely to have COVID-19 and if so, can spread it to vulnerable individuals.

The Health Officer may take additional action(s), which may include civil detention or requiring one to stay at a health facility or other location, to protect the public’s health if an individual who is subject to this Order violates or fails to comply with this Order. Violation of this Order is also a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment, fine or both.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Lisa Santora, MD, MPH

Deputy Health Officer of the County of Marin

Updated: December 2, 2020