The status update for September 28, 2020 includes guidelines for COVID-19 tips for disaster preparedness; Ways local short-term rental hosts can support fire evacuations; updated COVID-19 Data; and an Air Quality update.
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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.
Ensure COVID-19 Safety Measures Are Part of your Emergency Kit
September is disaster preparedness month. COVID-19 is likely to be with us for a long time, and that is why we must prepare a little differently for future disasters that may affect Marin.
Emergency management experts recommend preparing two kits of emergency supplies – one for home, and a “go bag” for evacuations. Use Ready Marin’s supply list as a guide for both kits, and factor in FireSafe Marin’s evacuation guide for your Go Kit. Customize your kits to meet your needs. And, take a moment to ensure your household is registered to receive emergency notifications from AlertMarin and Nixle.
In addition to typical disaster supplies, you should include supplies that help protect against COVID-19. Consider adding disinfectant and hygiene items like soap and hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfectant wipes, and cloth face coverings (and remember to pack enough masks for everyone in your household!). Some supplies may be hard to get, and availability will worsen in a disaster, so start gathering supplies now.
Short-Term Rental Operators Can Assist with Evacuation Lodging
COVID-19 safety protocols have changed the way we respond to disasters, including wildfires and evacuations. Traditional evacuation shelters, with individuals gathered under a single roof, present risk for the spread of COVID-19. This has placed a special demand on hotel, motel and short-term rental resources.
If there are large evacuations in Marin County, or large numbers seeking shelter in Marin from neighboring counties, a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) will be established in Marin to coordinate resources for evacuees. Staff at the TEP will direct evacuees to available lodging in the area, especially as we seek to avoid large congregate housing in this time of COVID-19.
Short term rental businesses are encouraged to join the AirBNB “Open Homes” program designed to facilitate hosting fire evacuees by registering on AirBNB's website. Currently, AirBNB is looking for people who have housing and have availability from September 28 through October 19, 2020 in order to support evacuees from the Glass Fire.
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 |
4,487 |
+ 33 |
|
Total Recovered (14 days post-diagnosis) |
4,181 |
+ 21 |
|
Total Deaths |
91 |
0 |
|
Current Hospitalizations |
7 |
0 |
|
Total / Cumulative Hospitalizations** |
143 |
- 4** |
|
Tests Completed in Marin |
80,198 |
+ 1,031 |
* 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.
** Cumulative hospitalizations decreased because our epidemiologists discovered some duplicative entries during routine data reconciliation efforts.
Residential Care & Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 activity:
DATA TYPE |
Today’s Report |
Change from Last Status Update |
|
Positive Patients at Facilities cumulative |
453 |
+ 1 |
|
Positive Patients at Facilities current |
9 |
- 7 |
|
Positive Staff at Facilities current |
11 |
- 1 |
|
Facility Patient Deaths *** |
76 |
+ 2 |
|
Facility Patient Deaths as percentage of all COVID+ deaths*** |
84 % |
+ 2 |
***New facility deaths 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 yesterday |
|
California Confirmed Cases |
802,308 |
4,071 |
|
California Deaths |
15,587 |
55 |
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.
Air District issues Spare the Air Alert for Week
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a Spare the Air Alert for this week (through Friday, October 2) due to wildfire smoke. Officials expect smoke to drain into the Bay Area from far Northern California and impact air quality in the Bay Area region. The Marin County AQI forecast for Tuesday, September 29 is Red or “Unhealthy.”
Smoke from wildfires can affect health. The most common symptoms are eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Those with health problems, especially heart or respiratory conditions, should take extra caution.
Follow these precautions to protect your health:
- Minimize outdoor activities. Postpone/Reschedule intense outdoor cardio activities.
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside.
- Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors.
- Avoid activities that create more indoor and outdoor air pollution, such as frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, and using gas-powered appliances.
- Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you experience symptoms related to smoke exposure.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be sensitive to poor air quality and who spend much of their time alone.
Related Resources:
And as a reminder, it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Spare the Air Alert for particulate pollution.
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.
Spread the word: How your friends and family can receive these updates:
- Text "MARIN COVID" to 468311 to receive text message notifications
- Subscribe online to receive email notifications