COVID-19 Status Update for 05/07/2021

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for May 7 includes a plan to vaccinate 12-15 year-olds once state and federal authorization is received; an upcoming forum to discuss adolescent vaccinations; updated local COVID-19 data… Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally no. There are limited exceptions, such as if you are going to the hospital with a minor who is under 18 or someone who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance. For most other situations, the order prohibits non-necessary visitation to these kinds of facilities except at the end-of-life. This is difficult, but necessary to protect hospital staff and other patients. More info: https://www.marinhhs.org/sites/default/files/files/public-health-updates/ph_alert_hospitalvisitation_02020315.pdf

Yes, mental health appointments can continue. Patients should consult with their practitioners to determine whether it is appropriate and feasible to conduct individual mental health appointments remotely.  

All participants in group counseling services must attend meetings remotely if they are equipped to do so. Groups should make accommodations for remote support to the maximum extent feasible. If remote participation is not feasible or advisable under the circumstances, participation may occur in person provided that there is compliance with the social distancing requirements set forth in the Order, including maintaining at least 6 foot distance between individuals and capping group size to reduce in-person interactions.  

The following resources are available to help people who may be experiencing distress or heightened anxiety right now:

  • 24/7 Behavioral Health Recovery Services Access Line: (888) 818-1115
  • 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit: (415) 473-6666
  • 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255;
    Linea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (en Espanol): (888) 628-9454
  • If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911 immediately

Yes.  All employees of hospitals, clinics, and other organizations that provide healthcare, provide services to healthcare organizations, provide needed supplies to healthcare organizations, or otherwise maintain healthcare operations of all kinds may continue working. 

The Health Order does not advise or encourage health care workers over 60 to stop reporting to work. 

You can take your pet to the veterinarian or pet hospital. Please call first to determine if the vet has any restrictions in place.

You can walk your dog and use dog parks, so long as you abide by all social distancing requirements and maintain a minimum distance of six feet between individuals or groups of individuals from different households at all times.  Face coverings must be worn as required by the Health Officer Order for Face Coverings.  Water fountains, benches and other high-touch areas within dog parks remain off limits.  Individuals accessing dog parks should plan to bring along sufficient water for themselves and their dogs to the park.  Individuals accessing dog parks should minimize contact with gates and handles, and should bring along protective gear such as gloves and/or hand sanitizer as appropriate. 

Also note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidance advising that you treat pets as you would your human family members – you must therefore limit your interactions with dogs outside of your household.  If a person inside your household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
 

Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/covid19-guidance.html

Visit the CDC “Protect Yourself” for the most up to date information.

Visit the CDC  for tips on managing stress and coping.  Additional resources include: 

  • Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746 for 24/7 support.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support.
  • California Suicide & Crisis Hotlines: Find phone numbers and links to all the suicide and crisis hotlines by county in California.
  • 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255; En Espanol (888) 628-9454 Linea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio
  • California Peer-Run Warm Line: Call 1-855-845-7415 for 24/7 non-emergency support.
  • The Friendship Line is available 24/7 as a crisis helpline for older adults: 800-971-0016 or you can text HOME to 741741 if you are feeling depressed, sad, or going through any kind of emotional crisis. A crisis worker will text you back immediately if you prefer text over the phone. This is a free service.
  • Crisis Stabilization Unit: (415) 473-6666
  • Mobile Crisis Team: (415) 473-6392

Who has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? 

Older adults*

Persons with certain underlying medical conditions **

  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
  • Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Smoking
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Children who are medically complex **

 

Who might have increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 ***

Persons with certain underlying medical conditions

  • Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
  • Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
  • Liver disease
  • Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
  • Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus

 

Who needs extra precautions ****

  • Racial and ethnic minority groups
  • People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • People with disabilities
  • People with developmental and behavioral disorders
  • People with drug use and substance use disorder
  • People living in rural communities
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Newly resettled refugee populations
  • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • People who live in group homes for people with disabilities

 

 

Notes:

* CDC has published data showing that among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. For example, people in their 50s are at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 40s. Similarly, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s. The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.  While the risk is not zero for younger adults – people in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s can and do develop severe COVID-19 illness and should take steps to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.

** The CDC has determined that these conditions place people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease based on consistent evidence from multiple small studies or a strong association from a large study. Children who are medically complex, who have neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease are at higher risk for severe illness than other children. See CDC pages on pediatric COVID-19.

*** CDC has determined based on limited data and information at this time, people with these conditions might have increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

**** Other groups of persons are recommended by CDC to take extra precautions, as emerging data indicate some populations bear a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 disease and death, have a higher prevalence of underlying conditions, or are experiencing conditions that may facilitate the spread of infection.

 

Visit the CDC website to learn more about those with potentially increased risk.

Source: CDC

Visit the CDC “Protect Yourself” for the most up to date information.

Source: CDC

We do not currently know if pregnant people have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have serious illness as a result. Based on available information, pregnant people seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant.

However, we do know that

  • Pregnant people have changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections.
  • Pregnant people have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza.

 

Source: CDC

To learn how to protect yourself and your baby, Visit the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html

 

Source: CDC

Information and Assistance - for older adults, persons with disabilities, and family caregivers: 415-457-INFO (415-457-4636). 

For assistance, please contact the Disability Rights California confidential intake line at 1-800-776-5746, available 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday or For TTY call: 1-800-719-5798.

Disability Rights California can help you if:

  • You have questions about your legal rights during an outbreak.
  • Are seeing information that is not accessible from other agencies.
  • Feel you are experiencing an extra layer of disability discrimination during this time.
  • We can talk to you about your questions, determine how we can help, and get you the information that you need.