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Updated Public Health Emergency Isolation Order for COVID-19

DATE OF ORDER: December 21, 2021

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 July 22, 2020 Order of the County of Sonoma Health Officer C19-16-I and shall become effective beginning at 12:01 a.m. on December 22, 2021, until rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer.  Persons subject to Isolation Order C19-16-I must 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 the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a substantial danger to the health of the public within the County of Sonoma (“County”). COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another. This Order is based on scientific evidence and best practices as currently known from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of California, and the Sonoma County Health Officer to protect vulnerable members of the public from avoidable risk of serious illness or death resulting from exposure to COVID-19.
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 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 members of the community at risk for infection, illness and significant morbidity.
4. To help slow COVID-19’s spread, protect all members of the community, especially the most vulnerable individuals, and prevent the healthcare system in the County from being overwhelmed, it is necessary for the Health Officer to isolate persons with COVID-19 and persons likely to have COVID-19 as determined by their treating provider.
5. Any person who has COVID-19, as defined in Paragraph 6, and any person who likely has COVID-19, as defined in Paragraph 7, must isolate themselves and follow all instructions in this Order. Isolation is required because a person with COVID-19 can easily spread the virus to others.  Isolation separates these persons from others to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
6. For purposes of this Order, a “person who has COVID-19” is a person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 based on a positive test for the presence of the coronavirus (known as SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19.
7. For purposes of this Order, a “person who likely has COVID-19” is a person who is displaying or reporting symptoms of COVID-19 and a health care provider, in consultation with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Disease Control Unit, determines based on those symptoms and any other risk factors that the person is likely to have COVID-19.
8. Any person who has COVID-19, and any person who likely has COVID-19, must immediately take the following actions:
   1. Isolate themselves in their home, another residence, or a location offered by the County. They may not leave their place of isolation 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.
   2. Review and follow all requirements listed in Self-Isolation Instructions for Individuals with COVID-19, which can be located here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/self-isolation-instructions.pdf.
   3. Tell their close contacts that they need to quarantine themselves. Close contacts who should be notified to quarantine are people who were near them during the infectious period, as further described below.  The infectious period commences 48 hours before symptoms began (or in absence of symptoms, 48 hours before the date the test sample of a positive test was collected) and ends when the isolation period is over as set forth in Paragraph 9.  Close contacts of an individual who has or is likely to have COVID-19 are persons who, during the individual’s infections period, were within six feet of the individual for fifteen minutes or longer.  These may include persons who:
   • live in, have visited, or have stayed overnight at the individual’s residence; or
   • are intimate sexual partners of the individual; or
   • worked within six feet of the individual; or
   • attended a gathering or event in which social distancing of six feet could not be maintained, fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals attended the gathering and adherence to masking was not strictly adhered to;
   • provide care to the individual 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.

   Refer their close contacts to the Self-Quarantine Instructions for Individuals Exposed to COVID-19, which can located here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/selfq_handout.pdf.  Close contacts have likely been exposed to COVID-19 and if infected, can easily spread COVID-19 to others, even if they have only mild or no symptoms.

9. The period of isolation of a person will be:
   1. 1. 1. Persons with a positive test who never develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days from date of their positive test (which is the date the test sample was collected).
         2. Persons who are isolating because they are likely to have COVID-19 based on symptoms, but have not tested or are awaiting test results, may end their period of isolation if they test negative for COVID-19. If the person never tests for COVID-19, the person’s period of isolation is the same as the person with symptoms and a positive test in subsection 9(c).
         3. Persons with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and a positive test must isolate until:
            • At least 24 hours have passed since recovery, defined as resolution of both fever (100.4F or higher) without the use of fever reducing medication; AND
            • Improvement in symptoms; AND
            • At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms started.
         4. Persons who are hospitalized with severe to critical illness from COVID-19, and persons with weakened immune systems, must isolate for 20 days since their symptoms started. People with weakened immune systems may require testing to determine when they can be around others.

   For more information, check the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
   Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine for COVID-19 Contact Tracing, which can be located here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-on-Isolation-and-Quarantine-for-COVID-19-Contact-Tracing.aspx.

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 (2) by posting on the County’s website and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD, MPH
Health Officer, County of Sonoma[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]