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DATE OF ORDER: May 18, 2020

Documentation of Service of the Health Officer Order No. C19-16-I form » (PDF)

Home Isolation Order Instructions » (PDF)

Home Isolation and Quarantine Instructions » (PDF)

Please read this Order carefully.  Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.  (California Health and Safety Code § 120275, et seq.)

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SONOMA (“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS:

1. This Order supersedes the County Of Sonoma Health Officer Order C19-06-Q dated April 10, 2020, and is in effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. on May 19, 2020 until rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer. Any person who is subject to Quarantine Order C19-06-Q should continue to comply with the terms of that order.
2. California is in a State of Emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic. The spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a substantial danger to the health of the public within the County of Sonoma. COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another. This Order is issued based on scientific evidence and best practices as currently known and available to protect vulnerable members of the public from avoidable risk of serious illness or death resulting from exposure to COVID-19. The age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County of Sonoma (“County”) places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19. There is growing evidence of transmission risk from infected persons before the onset of symptoms. Thus, all individuals who contract COVID-19, regardless of their level of symptoms (none, mild or severe), may place other vulnerable members of the public at significant risk. Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19 and no specific treatment.
3. The age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19. There is growing evidence of transmission risk from infected persons before the onset of symptoms.  Thus, all individuals who contract COVID-19, regardless of their level of symptoms (none, mild, or severe), may place other vulnerable members of the public at significant risk.  Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19 and no specific treatment.
4. To help slow COVID-19’s spread, protect vulnerable individuals, and prevent the healthcare system in Sonoma County from being overwhelmed, it is necessary for the Health Officer to require the quarantine of persons exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 or likely to have COVID-19 as determined by their treating provider. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others, until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease.
5. All persons who have had close contact with a person subject to Isolation Order C19-12-I (person who has or is likely to have COVID-19 as defined), hereafter referred to as “Case,” must quarantine themselves. These persons are required to follow all instructions in this Order.
6. For purposes of this Order, a person is considered to have had close contact with a Case if, during the Case’s infectious period, the person was within six feet of the Case for 15 minutes or longer. Examples are persons who:

• Live in, have visited, or have stayed overnight in the Case’s residence; or
• Are intimate sexual partners of the Case; or
• Worked within six feet of the Case; or
• Provide or provided care to the Case without wearing a mask, a face shield or goggles, gown and gloves; or
• Have been identified as close contacts by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

7. For purposes of this Order, a Case is infectious from 48 hours before his or her symptoms began (or in the absence of symptoms, from 48 hours before the date the test sample of a positive test was collected) and until he or she is released from isolation.
8. All person who have had close contact with a Case must immediately take the following actions:
   1. Stay in their home or another residence through 14 days from the last date that they were in contact with the Case. Persons are required to quarantine themselves for the entirety of the 14-day incubation period because they are at high risk for developing and spreading COVID-19.
   2. Quarantined persons may not leave their place of quarantine or enter any other public or private place except to receive necessary medical care or during an emergency that requires evacuation to protect the health and safety of the person.
   3. Carefully review and closely follow all requirements listed in the “Home Quarantine Instructions,” posted on https://socoemergency.org/ and attached to this Order.
   4. If a quarantined person becomes sick with fever (fever is a body temperature of 100.0F, or higher), cough, or shortness of breath (even if their symptoms are very mild), they should isolate themselves at home and away from other people and follow the “Home Isolation Instructions,” posted on https://socoemergency.org/ and attached to this Order. This is because they are likely to have COVID-19 and if so, can spread it to vulnerable individuals. If a medical professional examines a quarantined person and determines that his or her symptoms are not due to COVID-19, the person may discontinue home isolation but shall continue to follow the home quarantine order and instructions.
9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, health care workers and first responder agency workers who are close contacts of a Case are not subject to this Order under the following circumstances:

• The worker informs his or her employer about the worker’s close contact to a lab-confirmed Case;
• The worker is asymptomatic, and the worker’s employer determines, based on staffing needs, that the worker needs to report to work; AND
• The worker returns to work.

10. The Sonoma County Health Officer may take additional action(s), which may include civil detention or requiring an individual to stay at a health facility or other location, to protect the public’s health if an individual who is subject to this Order violates or fails to comply with this Order. Violation of this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment, fine or both.
11. Pursuant to Government Code sections 26602 and 41061 and Health and Safety Code section 101029, the Health Officer requests that the Sheriff and all chiefs of police in the County ensure compliance and enforce this Order.  The violation of any provision of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health.
12. Copies of the Order shall promptly be made available (1) at the County Administration Center at 575 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa (2) by posting on the County’s website and (3) to any member of the public requesting a copy.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD MPH
Health Officer of the County of Sonoma