The status update for April 17, 2020 includes updated Marin COVID-19 activity, information on the new face covering Order, COVID-19 relief fund boosts rental assistance, a creativity challenge and a video update from Dr. Lisa Santora.
COVID-19 activity in Marin:
| Marin Confirmed Cases: | 187 |
| Marin Deaths: | 10 |
| Marin Persons Tested: | 2,559 |
| Marin Cases Recovered: | 133 |
| Marin Hospitalizations cumulative: | 32 |
| Marin Hospitalizations currently: | 5 |
| California Confirmed Cases: | 28,887 |
| California Deaths: | 1,021 |
Our epidemiology and communicable disease teams have been working diligently to collect and provide additional information about confirmed COVID-19 cases in Marin.
Visit our Surveillance webpage to view interactive graphs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Data analysis is available by age range, gender and geographic region. In addition, you can track the total number of local hospital visits due to respiratory illness -like activity, which provides situational awareness and could be an early indicator of potential hospital surge in Marin.
New Health Order requiring facial coverings released
In order to better protect residents from infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, Marin County Public Health has issued an order requiring that everyone wear facial coverings in certain settings.
Everyone is asked to wear a face covering when they are interacting with others who are not members of their household in public and private spaces. Specifically, the new order states that people must wear face coverings when:
- Inside public spaces or waiting in line to enter public spaces
- Seeking health care
- Waiting for or riding on mass transit or other shared transportation
- In common areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.
- Workers at businesses physically open and in areas where the public is present, likely to be present, or at any time when others are nearby.
- Workers in any space where food is being prepared and/or packaged for sale.
- Drivers/Operators of public transit.
Children aged 12 years old or younger are not required to wear a face covering. In addition, individuals engaged in outdoor exercise such as walking, hiking, running or bicycling or running are not required to wear a face covering but should carry one with them and must continue to practice physical distancing.
Read our full news release to learn more about this new Order that takes effect on April 22, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
COVID-19 relief fund boosts rental assistance
In the first week after the County of Marin and nonprofit Marin Community Foundation (MCF) created a $1 million fund to assist vulnerable populations amid the COVID-19 response, demand quickly overwhelmed supply. It quickly became evident that the greatest need was in the area of immediate rental assistance.
On April 21, the County and MCF will bring a proposal to the Marin County Board of Supervisors to double the original commitment from March 24 and add another $1 million ($500,000 each) to augment the fund.
As part of the agenda item, the Board will consider approving a $1 million master contract that would apply to contracts between the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and local homeless rental assistance providers. Those providers would assure that allocations reach the most vulnerable populations.
Those wishing to make a donation can go to the MCF donation website. Donors wishing to direct a contribution toward rental assistance can specify that as an instruction.
Read the full news release to learn more about the Marin Community Foundation and where the first $1 million dollars has been distributed.
Stay home, save lives creativity challenge
Inspire your community with your expression of stay home, save lives. It can be a drawing, a photo, a song, a poem, or even a video. Post on social media using the hashtag #stayhomesavelivesmarin.
Find out more about this challenge by visiting the Marin County Parks website
A video message from your Deputy Public Health Officer:
Dr. Lisa Santora provides an update on Marin COVID-19 activity, speaks about the new face covering Order and provides updated data on testing in congregate care facilities.
Where to get the latest information:
- Coronavirus in Marin website (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus)
- Surveillance & Data
- Donation Options
- Subscribe for future status updates
- Archive of past status updates
Have questions? Individuals can contact Marin Health and Human Services with non-medical questions about the coronavirus by calling (415) 473-7191 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12-noon and 1pm to 5pm).