General Information

The Merced County Department of Public Health is closely following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health on the novel (new) nCoV virus that is causing an outbreak of pneumonia illness. Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes diseases of varying severities, ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory disease.

Do not go to your provider’s office without calling ahead. Do not call 911 for suspected COVID-19 unless you are having a medical emergency.

Take the CDC Self-Screening Evaluation

Symptoms

Fever
Cough
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Illness

At-Risk Groups

Older Adults
Individuals with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease
Individuals with compromised immune systems

How is Coronavirus Spread

Coughing and sneezing
Close personal contact, such as touching shaking hands
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

Novel coronavirus is new, and we are continuing to learn about spreading patterns and incubation periods

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for the 2019-nCoV infection. People with symptoms should contact their providers.

Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19: Pfizer-BioTech (2 dose), Moderna (2 dose) and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (1 dose).

Key Points

Novel Coronavirus is a new virus that hasn’t been identified before in humans.
Coronavirus can spread through close personal contact, or by touching an object of surface with the virus on it.
Use prevention measures that work to prevent other respiratory infections to prevent novel Coronavirus.
The Merced County Department of Public Health is taking steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in Merced County.
Merced County Public Health encourages those that are eligible to get vaccinated to visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255.

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Visit: CDC Coronavirus Information

Additional Information on Coronavirus

Interim Guidance for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Guidance for Healthcare Professionals

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine have developed a tracking system using real-time data that tracks COVID-19 cases around the world and in the United States. The link to this resource is located here:
John Hopkins COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Global Cases Map
An easy to use flowchart was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for practitioners to utilize with patients who may have been exposed to COVID-19 can be accessed here:
Flowchart To Identify And Assess 2019 Novel Coronavirus
On March 24, the CDC released their latest update to guidelines for collecting, handling, and testing clinical specimens in relation to COVID-19 patients. Updates include allowance for self- or healthcare worker-collected nasal swabs, and an updated infection control link to COVID-specific guidance. The updated guidance is located here: Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens
On March 21, the CDC released guidance for Alternative Care Sites, which ensures that these facilities can support implementation of recommended infection prevention and control practices. The guidance is located here: Alternative Care Sites Guidance
On March 18, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance on testing for health care providers and laboratories for diagnostic testing related to COVID-19. The full guidance is located here: COVID-19 Public Health Laboratory Testing Guidance For Health Care Providers and Laboratories
On March 16, the California Department of Public Health sent out guidance for healthcare facilities in regards to persons who were confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19. In it they direct facilities to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the same topic, which can be accessed here: CDC Postmortem Guidance for Persons Confirmed or Suspected of Having COVID-19
On March 6, the California Department of Health Care Services sent out a memo to managed health care plans in regards to existing contractual requirements and state and federal laws that ensure their members are able to access medically necessary services in a timely manner. The full document is located here:
(DHCS) Department of Health Care Services COVID-19 Screening and Testing
On March 5, the California Insurance Commissioner released directions to commercial health insurance companies to not inhibit enrollees’ access to medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 through cost-sharing waivers and reminders of current laws. The full document is located here:
California Department of Insurance Bulletin
On March 5, the California Department of Managed Health Care released directions to full-service commercial and Medi-Cal plans to not inhibit enrollees’ access to medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 through cost-sharing waivers and reminders of current laws. The full document is located here:
Department of Managed Health Care Screening and Testing Guidance
On March 3, Cal/OSHA released guidance on the efficient use of respirator supplies for healthcare facilities, which includes guidance on the use of engineering and administrative controls under Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard. The website with guidance is located here:
Efficient Use of Respirator Supplies - Guidance for Health Care Facilities from Cal/OSHA
On February 10, the CDC released interim guidance that is intended to assist with the assessment of risk, monitoring, and work restriction decisions for healthcare professionals with potential exposure to COVID-19. The full document is located here:
CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus Interim U.S. Guidance For Risk Assessment And Public Health Management
The CDC released interim guidance for healthcare facilities in regards to appropriate hand hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing, and face-to-face contact with potential COVID-19 cases, among other guidance. The website with guidance can be seen here:
Interim Guidance For Healthcare Facilities: Preparing For Community Transmissions Of COVID-19 In The U.S.
The Central California Alliance for Health issued guidance for their members to contact the Alliance before visiting their offices, as well as other guidance on COVID-19. The full document is located here:
(CCAH) Central California Alliance for Health Member Guidance
The World Health Organization released a Risk Communication Package for Healthcare Facilities that is being continuously updated. The full package is located here:
Risk Communication Package For Healthcare Facilities

Guidance for Laboratories

On March 18, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance on testing for health care providers and laboratories for diagnostic testing related to COVID-19. The full guidance is located here:
COVID-19 Public Health Laboratory Testing Guidance For Health Care Providers and Laboratories
On March 6, The California Department of Public Health issued guidance on specimen testing and submission guidelines for health care providers and laboratories. The full document is located here:
Guidance Documents for Laboratories

Guidance for Adult, Senior, and Community Care Facilities

On March 13, the California Department of Social Services released guidance relating to prevention, containment, and mitigation measures for COVID-19 in Adult and Senior Care Facilities. The full document is located here:
Prevention, Containment, Mitigation Measures, and Statewide Waiver for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing Division has developed a single platform for all information releases relating to COVID-19 and community care organizations. The site can be accessed here:
Stay Informed on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)