The status update for August 27, 2020 includes a profile of one of our contact tracers; updated COVID-19 activity; and a quick summary of other major events from the day.
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The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is now publishing five days a week (Monday through Friday) and as needed, in order to share important news and resources in our battle against COVID-19 and to keep our economy running. We remain here for you.
Contact Tracing Volunteer Finds Assisting COVID Response ‘Rewarding’
Imagine being told you have contracted COVID-19.
Now imagine being the person who must tell that person he or she has contracted the potentially deadline coronavirus strain.
As soon as a Marin County resident tests positive for the virus, public health professionals are mobilized to prevent the potential spread from the infected individual to others. The tracing of those contacts has become a specialized art form in the past few months, and Jill Aggersbury of Novato is one of the sleuths. Aggersbury, a retired nurse, is volunteering with Marin County Public Health as part of the Marin Medical Reserve Corps (MMRC).
It’s not easy to break the news to a new COVID-19 patient, but gradually by asking questions and the patient hearing answers, the afflicted tend to calm down and understand the steps toward getting healthy.
“You don’t necessarily need a medical background to do this work, but what you need is empathy and patience,” Aggersbury said. … [CONTINUE READING]
Related Information:
- Learn more about local contact tracing efforts
- VIDEO: Dr. Willis explains why contact tracing is important
COVID-19 Data Update:
Below is a summary of today’s data now available on Marin Data & Surveillance webpage. View the page for a broader range of data, plus interactive graphs for confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Data analysis is available by age range, gender, race and city/town/geographic region. Questions about the data? See our Data FAQ or contact us.
COVID-19 activity in Marin:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update* |
|
Total Confirmed Cases |
3,817 |
+54 |
|
Total Recovered (14 days post-diagnosis) |
3,498 |
+27 |
|
Total Deaths ** |
68 |
-1** |
|
Current Hospitalizations |
16 |
+2 |
|
Total / Cumulative Hospitalizations |
132 |
+1 |
|
Tests Completed in Marin |
67,877 |
+681 |
* The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is published Monday – Friday. Monday editions of the status update include data from Monday plus Saturday and Sunday of the previous weekend. Therefore, data shown under the “change from last update” heading will always be larger on Mondays and differ from what is published on the Coronavirus in Marin homepage, which is updated 7 days per week.
** Today’s cumulative death count decreased by one person due to data clarification: a non-Marin resident was mislabeled in the statewide database as a Marin resident. This error has been corrected.
Residential Care & Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 activity:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
|
Positive Patients at Facilities cumulative |
388 |
+39 |
|
Positive Patients at Facilities current |
62 |
+39 |
|
Positive Staff at Facilities current |
20 |
+4 |
|
Facility Patient Deaths*** |
53 |
+2*** |
|
Facility Patient Deaths as percentage of all COVID+ deaths |
77% |
+4% |
***The two deaths shown here were reported as part of Marin’s total death count earlier this week. However, the facility classification was delayed and not reported until today.
State COVID-19 activity:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
|
California Confirmed Cases |
683,529 |
+4,430 |
|
California Deaths |
12,550 |
+143 |
In Other News… (Non-COVID Updates)
While the following is not related to COVID, it is news from Marin County's Emergency Operations Center that we thought you should know about.
Woodward Fire Update
The Woodward Fire continues to burn in Point Reyes National Seashore. To date, the Woodward Fire at Point Reyes National Seashore has burned 2,860 acres and is and 8% contained. 428 personnel are dedicated to the Woodward Fire, consisting of 12 crews, 19 engines, five helicopters, two water-scooping planes and other equipment [more details in 8/27 update]. Evacuation information has not changed since Monday, August 24. [View interactive incident map]
Please avoid the West Marin area. Public safety officials ask that coastal traffic be limited to local traffic only. There are very few evacuation routes from West Marin and there are multiple fire resources utilizing the roadways. It is imperative that roadways remain open in the event of an evacuation order.
Woodward Fire Information Resources:
- Woodward Fire Incident page
- Fire Public Information Line: (415) 473-7191
- Marin County Fire Twitter Account (frequent updates)
- Archive of daily video briefings (in English & Spanish)
Regional Wildfires - Air Quality Update
Weather and fire officials expect the air quality in Marin County to worsen on Friday, due to more smoke rolling in from the north and settling into our forecast area. Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a Spare the Air alert for August 27 through Sunday, August 30 due to poor air quality. Marin residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves from unhealthy air.
Regional Wildfire Air Quality Information Resources:
- Woodward Fire Smoke Outlook
- Monitor your local air quality
- View U.S. EPA’s new Fire & Smoke Map
- Tips to protect yourself form poor air quality during wildfires
Stay Informed
Follow the County of Marin on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor or subscribe to our status updates. Visit MarinHHS.org/coronavirus for resources to stay connected on the issue.
Helpful Links and Online Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Test Information
- Face Covering & Mask Information
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Donation Options
- Business Reopening Guidelines
- Business Reopening Status
- Archive of past status updates
Contact Us. We Are Here For You.
Have questions? We are here to help. Our call center is available Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 12-noon and 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Please feel free to connect with us for general information and resources by calling (415) 473-7191. We are also available online! As a reminder, please only call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Reporting Businesses in Violation of Public Health Orders
We know this is a challenging time. Those wishing to report a public health order violation by a business can submit their concerns to SIPViolation@marincounty.org. Please include the business name, address, and as much detail as possible regarding the perceived health order violation. Photos and other documentation welcome, too. Reports will be forwarded to the appropriate governing agency for review and investigation.
Visit Marin Recovers Status list for information on business openings and guidelines and the current health order for information on face covering requirements, shelter-in-place and more. Keep in mind that the goal of the order is to educate and keep our community safe. While violations of the public health order are misdemeanors, making arrests continues to remain a measure of last resort for local law enforcement. It will only be considered after all education and voluntary compliance efforts have failed.
Be a role model and follow the order while encouraging others to do the same. If you see a business out of compliance, you can speak directly to the owner, and offer the link or a copy of the COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan as well as information about the Marin Recovers website. We’re all in this together and we all need to do our part.