April 17 Update: KCDPH Friday night confirms 19th, 20th case of COVID-19

Friday, April 17, 2020 - 6:41pm By The Leader Staff

The Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) Friday night (April 17) confirmed two additional COVID-19 cases, increasing the county's total to 20. The KCDPH has determined that one of the new cases contracted the disease through close contact with a confirmed case. The second case confirmed tonight is under investigation. Two cases are in treatment under isolation and the other cases have been quarantined.

The KCDPH is conducting communicable disease investigations to identify any persons who may have come in contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members, or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.

The County reported its only death earlier this week (April 11). Officials report that the deceased patient's history is still under investigation. The KCDPH stated the individual was over 65 years old.

Total cases: 20 (April 17)

2 Travel related
11 Close Contact
2 Community Transmission
5 Under investigation

Total Deaths: 1

Recovered: 4

The Kings County Department of Public Health is no longer testing for COVID-19. Your health care provider will determine the need for COVID-19 testing and order it if necessary. The current criteria for testing include symptoms of a respiratory infection,(fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath).

Click here for a list of providers

The latest updates from the California Department of Public Health

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as of April 14, there are now 23,338 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Califonia, up from 21,794 confirmed cases, and 758 deaths, up from 651 at the last report. For additional California information, click on the California Department of Public Health link.

Ages of all confirmed positive cases in California (April 14):

Age 0-17: 362 cases up from 330 cases
Age 18-49: 11,246 cases up from 10,599 cases
Age 50-64: 6,348 cases up from 5,941 cases
Age 65 and older: 5,320 cases up from 4,870 cases
Unknown: 62 cases

Those wishing to keep updated may access the Kings County Department of Public Health website where the public can get the most recent and current information.

To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health has released the following public gatherings guidance:

Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled. This measure includes gatherings such as concerts, conferences, as well as professional, college, and school sporting events.
Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet of space per person should be postponed or canceled. The restrictions include meetings in crowded auditoriums, rooms, or other venues.
Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people. This includes gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions.
A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.

How long will these limitations apply?

This guidance will remain in place at least through March. As with all advice that relates to COVID-19 response, authorities will revisit this guidance regularly to evaluate the continued public health need for it and to evaluate if any elements need to be changed. To stay informed, continue to monitor this link:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Guidance.aspx

Kings County Department of Public Health continues to encourage that measures should be taken to protect yourself and others from getting sick, as with any virus, especially during the flu season. The Health Department reminds you there are several steps you can take to protect your health and those around you:

Staying home except for essential needs/activities
Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay away from work, school, or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

Please be aware the most reliable sources of information are the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Kings County Department of Public Health. Please avoid social media as a source of COVID-19 information, as many times, the sources quoted are not reliable. We have included links to these organizations below:

Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) website:

https://www.countyofkings.com/departments/health-welfare/public-health/c...

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) website:

https://who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019