The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is actively working to prevent and respond to COVID-19. As this situation develops, it is important for the public to continue to take steps to avoid the spread of all germs. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Shasta County.
Shasta County had two patients who have been tested for COVID-19. Both of those tests returned negative. The most recent was tested in the HHSA Shasta County Public Health Lab that now has the capability to perform the test for COVID-19.
In each case, while preliminary lab results were pending, public health officials worked with the individual and medical providers to exercise necessary precautions to limit the risk to the public. Typically, health officials do not report on suspect cases pending lab confirmation. HHSA will notify the public of any positive test results for COVID-19.
If you are sick and have symptoms such as cough, fever or other respiratory problems and feel you need medical attention, please seek medical care. If you have these symptoms and were exposed by either travel to an area where there is community transmission or by a confirmed case of COVID-19, call ahead so that proper precautions can be taken. Do not go to emergency rooms unless it is essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with most critical needs. If you are experiencing these symptoms but don’t feel like you need medical attention, it is not necessary to seek medical attention just to be tested for COVID-19.
At this time, the agency recommends that the public continues to take precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses in public places, such as workplaces and schools.
Encourage those who are sick to stay home from work, school, public events:
- The symptoms of acute respiratory illness are cough, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and fever (100.4° F or 37.8° C). Those with symptoms are recommended to stay home and not come to work or school until they are free of symptoms and fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
Practice and encourage good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene:
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water. If that is not possible, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol.
- Visit the CDC’s coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.
Perform routine environmental cleaning of shared spaces:
- Clean all frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, doorknobs, remote controls, desk and keyboards. Use regular cleaning agents for these areas and follow the label directions. Or, provide disposable wipes so that surfaces can be wiped down before each use.
- Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles.
- Place posters in visible areas that encourage people to stay home when sick, use cough and sneeze etiquette, and practice hand hygiene. Printable posters in English and Spanish can be found here.
- No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.
For updated information, please visit the HHSA page dedicated to Coronavirus.
