Martinez, CA – As more cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are identified in California, the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) has provided additional guidance to its three colleges, two centers and District Office in an effort to protect students, faculty, employees and visitors. To date, there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus at any CCCCD location.

Consistent with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health and Contra Costa Health Services, CCCCD confirmed that all colleges and centers will remain open, and instruction and operations will continue, with modifications, as listed below.

Effective immediately, and through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, CCCCD is taking action in the following areas:

Travel – CCCCD is curtailing all non-essential travel for students, faculty and employees.

Events – CCCCD locations will cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 or more people, especially events attended by older adults and people of all ages with compromised immune systems.

Employee Leave – CCCCD is encouraging students, faculty and employees to stay home if they are sick and adhere to any quarantine guidance provided by a physician in consultation with county health services.

Instruction – CCCCD, in consultation with the Academic Senate and United Faculty leadership, is reviewing remote instruction options for lecture-based classes targeted for March 16, 2020, with evaluations and adjustments made accordingly thereafter.

Student Services – Student Services will continue on-site at campuses, and CCCCD is reviewing technologies and tools to provide remote access as necessary.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates to our campus communities when any new relevant information warrants a change in our response to this issue,” said Eugene Huff, Interim Chancellor. Additionally, a centralized District Coronavirus web page is now available at www.4cd.edu/covid19 and will be updated regularly to reflect the latest public health guidance.”

Was scheduled for Friday, March 13

By Alexandra Rubin, Director of Communications, Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area

After careful thought and deliberation, we are postponing the Grand Opening Celebration at our new East County Cancer Support Center in Antioch, which was scheduled for this Friday, March 13. We will instead hold the event later in the year, when there is more clarity about public health and the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The center is located at 3505 Lone Tree Way, Suite 3 in Antioch.

We have much to celebrate in Antioch. In just our first two months, over 50 members have made over 1,000 visits to our beautiful new community center. However, as public health officials are currently advising to cancel or postpone nonessential public events, we feel it is best to exercise an abundance of caution right now.

We believe our mission is essential for our members. Please know that we are continuing to offer all scheduled programs and services for our members at our Antioch and Walnut Creek centers. And we will continue to maintain the healthiest and safest possible environment at both locations, while closely following recommendations by Contra Costa Health Services, the California Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control.

CSC began providing support groups, workshops, meals, social activities, and yoga classes at the new center on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January. By the end of March, CSC will add many other programs, workshops, and social connections. In addition, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic plans to provide free integrated medical services, as CSC’s first nonprofit partner to bring additional services to the center.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect us physically,” said Cancer Support Community CEO James Bouquin. “It affects us psychologically, financially, and socially, increasing stress and feelings of isolation. That’s why we don’t just provide the best therapist-led counseling, educational workshops, and exercise classes; we create a community where patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members are all welcome and encouraged to participate. And best of all, we do all this entirely free of charge.”

The National Cancer Institute has estimated that 38.4 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. East Contra Costa County suffers from disproportionately high rates of cancer morbidity and mortality, while simultaneously lacking some of the critical care and services available in more affluent areas. And, as science turns more cancers from fatal diseases into chronic conditions, living with cancer is something nearly every American will have to learn to do, whether as a patient or survivor, or as a caregiver or loved one of someone with cancer.

The new center’s program manager, Zenaida Burgos, is a long time East County resident and is eager to make people feel welcome. “People feel happy here. If they have a good experience, they’ll come back,” she said. “We are a community here where anyone affected by cancer can belong.”

Research shows that cancer patients who use programs like those provided by CSC live longer, are better able to manage their stress and anxiety, feel more in control of their treatment, and express a higher quality of life. In addition to the programs that have been offered for 30 years in its Walnut Creek center, in East County CSC will be offering emergency financial assistance grants to low income cancer patients, assistance with transportation to the center, and a light lunch for participants on days the center is open.

About Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area

Celebrating 30 years in the East Bay, Cancer Support Community provides comprehensive, integrative care—including counseling, support groups, nutrition training, exercise classes, and patient education programs—for people with cancer, their caregivers, and their families. Our evidence-based services enable cancer patients to partner with their medical teams to manage their treatment and recovery most effectively, increase their chances for survival, reduce their chances of recurrence, and provide for the highest possible quality of life. We never turn anyone away, and all of our services are always provided free of charge. With services provided at our Walnut Creek center, in local medical centers throughout the Bay Area, and now in Antioch, we

serve more than 2,200 people annually.

For more information about our ongoing programs at Cancer Support Community Antioch and Walnut Creek, please visit our website at www.cancersupport.net/calendar or call us at (925) 933-0107.

By Allen Payton

Following a 1:00 p.m. meeting with the high school principals in the district, Antioch Unified School District Supervisor Stephanie Anello issued the following update on canceling or postponing school activities, Tuesday, March 10, 2020:

Good afternoon,

A short time ago, Contra Costa Health Services issued “Interim Guidance for Social Distancing” in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. It includes the following:

• Cancel or postpone large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, celebrations, conventions, religious services and community events where 50 or more people are within arm’s length of each other.

• Cancel or postpone events for or attended by older adults or others who are at a higher risk for severe illness.

In accordance with these guidelines and until further notice, all events outside of the school day that may be attended by 50 or more people have been cancelled. Additionally, all schools will consider postponing or cancelling events in which less than 50 ppl are expected in attendance if the event is not essential. Please contact your child’s school should you have any questions.

We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Anello

County health officials are expected to issue updated guidance Tuesday afternoon following a 2:00 p.m. press conference. Please check this website or cchealth.org/coronavirus.

By Susan Shiu, Director, Contra Costa County Office of Communications and Media

Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at its Board meeting on March 10, 2020 for a proclamation of a state of emergency in the county to deal with the potential spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

The proclamation states that “this Board found that due to the introduction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property did exist in the County of Contra Costa commencing on or about March 3, 2020, and therefore the Board proclaimed the existence of a local emergency throughout this county. These conditions, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this County, and will require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.”

The proclamation states that “this Board requests the Governor of the State of California to proclaim the County of Contra Costa to be in a state of emergency.”

Board Chair, Supervisor Candace Andersen, said, “The new coronavirus or COVID-19 presents our community with a challenge. While I urge you to be prepared, it is certainly not a time to panic. Following our health officials’ guidelines will help prevent the spread of disease. The County and Contra Costa Health Services will continue to offer guidance and resources. Meanwhile, there is much each and everyone one of us can do to keep our families and communities well. It will take all of us working together.”

The Supervisors emphasized that “everyone plays an important role” as they unanimously voted for a county emergency proclamation that will allow our health department to mobilize county resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the county, allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments, and raise awareness about how everyone can prepare in the event that COVID-19 begins to spread in our community.

“The County and its health department will continue to work with multiple agencies and jurisdictions to keep residents informed during this local emergency,” said County Administrator David J. Twa. “We will continue to take appropriate steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the public. We encourage everyone to stay prepared.”

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for County Health officials’ latest guidance for the community and resources. For the latest updates, follow Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) on Twitter @CoCoHealth and on CCHS Facebook. Information is also available at www.contracosta.ca.gov.

More events and activities might be cancelled; No cancellations of Deer Valley High’s activities.

Following is a post on the Antioch High School Facebook page on Monday, March 9, 2020:

“A message from Principal Louie Rocha:

‘In light of the potential spread of the Coronavirus 19, Antioch High School is postponing this Friday’s Powder Puff flag football game. It will be rescheduled later this month.

Additionally, the Grad Night Disneyland field trip has been cancelled. It will not be re-scheduled due to health and safety concerns for our graduates attending the theme park with the general public. Antioch High learned today that if Grad Night were to be cancelled at a future date, there would be no refunds available to those who purchased tickets. Class of 2020 students will be notified on the process for receiving a refund for tickets purchased later this week.

Cancellations of school events and activities are difficult. However, when it comes to the best interests of our students and school community, we choose to err on the side of caution. I will continue to update you on any other school activities that may be rescheduled or cancelled.’”

No such announcement has been made by Deer Valley High School, according to the school’s office staff, Tuesday morning.

UPDATE: Superintendent Stephanie Anello said she would be meeting with the district’s high school principals at 1:00 pm today “as the CDPH (California Department of Public Health) just sent out new guidance for ‘social distancing’. I expect a more formalized and coordinated effort of cancellations moving forward,” she said. That update will be posted later on this website.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Board of Supervisors to consider calling for state of emergency in the county at Tuesday meeting

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) confirmed five new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in residents of the county.

Four are being treated at hospitals in Contra Costa. They had no travel history outside the U.S. or known contact with a confirmed case. The fifth patient, who had close contact with another person who previously tested positive for COVID-19, is isolating at home under the guidance of CCHS.

Coronavirus. CDC image.

As of Sunday morning, Contra Costa has nine confirmed cases of novel coronavirus. One patient who tested positive last week remains in a local hospital, while three other previously identified patients who tested positive are also isolating at home. CCHS will not release further details about the patients to protect their medical privacy, including the names of the hospitals where they are being treated.

“The coronavirus is here in our community. As we ramp up our testing, we expect to identify more cases. But there is still a lot we can do to slow down the spread and protect our most vulnerable,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, acting Contra Costa Health Officer.

Last week, CCHS released recommendations for people who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Practicing good public health hygiene remains the best way of avoiding any respiratory disease, including novel coronavirus:

• People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are well
• Older adults and people with chronic conditions should avoid large gatherings, as they are at higher risk of becoming infected
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
• People who are sick should cover their coughs and sneezes using a tissue or their elbow
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your unwashed hands
• Masks are for sick people. There is no evidence that wearing masks in public prevents healthy people from getting sick with novel coronavirus

Calls have been placed to Anna Roth, Director and Dr. Chris Farnitano, Health Officer for Contra Costa Health Services and Dr. Samir Shah, Chief Medical Officer for the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center seeking additional information. Dr. Shah was specifically asked in a voicemail when Contra Costa County will become more transparent and share the names of the hospitals where the patients are located as that doesn’t violate HIPAA law, according to other medical professionals.

“We have a presentation to the Board of Supervisors, tomorrow,” said Will Harper, Acting Communications Director for Contra Costa Public Health when reached for comment. “We’ve been asked to give an update with the latest guidance for the community. The board will consider declaring an emergency in the county.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, “the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA.”

Furthermore, “A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to ensure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well-being. The Privacy Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing.”

However, according to the CDC, “the Privacy Rule permits use and disclosure of protected health information, without an individual’s authorization or permission, for 12 national priority purposes.” One of those is labeled, “Serious Threat to Health or Safety. Covered entities may disclose protected health information that they believe is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to a person or the public, when such disclosure is made to someone they believe can prevent or lessen the threat (including the target of the threat).”

The question is whether or not the HIPAA privacy rule prevents the release of the names of which hospitals patients are being treated so the public can decide whether or not to go to that hospital for treatment.

“We have not announced any hospitals to protect the patient privacy and the operations of the hospital,” said Scott Pauley, Public Information Officer for the CDC. “There’s a very thin line there. That’s policy level and the decisions made are by the hospitals and county health officials.”

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for local information about COVID-19.

Allen Payton contributed to this report. Please check back later for updates.

Schools encouraged to cancel events that attract large crowds, minimize field trips

Issued and posted on the AUSD Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, March 4, 2020.

Important Update from Superintendent Stephanie Anello Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Good afternoon,

Contra Costa Health Services has issued guidance that states they are becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of the Cornonavirus (COVID-19). While there are no known AUSD students or staff that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, it is essential that we take common-sense germ-prevention actions.

Coronavirus. CDC image.

• Beginning no later than Friday evening, all hand-to-surface areas (e.g. doorknobs, light switches, counters, desks, etc.) will be disinfected daily.

• All buses will be disinfected daily.

• Additional hand sanitizers have been ordered and will be deployed to all schools once they are received.

• We are ordering electrostatic disinfecting units. However, there may be a delay in the delivery as they are in high demand.

• All schools are encouraged to cancel or restrict events that bring large crowds together as these areas will need to be further disinfected. At this time, we need to focus our resources on adequately disinfecting each space for use during the school day.

• All schools should minimize field trips at this time as the destination may not be fully disinfected.

• All schools are to prominently place the following COVID-19 “Stop the Spread of Germs” posters in every classroom and common area.

• Staff are encouraged to wash hands frequently with soap and water and to encourage students to do the same.

At this time, Contra Costa Health Services is not recommending any school closures. However, we will continue to follow their guidance and will update staff and the greater community should further steps need to be enacted to ensure our students and staff have a healthy and safe learning environment.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Screenshot from KNTV NBC Bay Area of Contra Costa County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna speaking at the press conference on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

By Allen Payton

Tuesday night, Contra Costa public health officials announced the first positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, involving a county resident. The individual is in critical condition and is in medical isolation and completely separated from the general public, according to Contra Costa County Public Health Director Dan Peddycord.

The person tested positive Tuesday afternoon but “had no known travel history and no known contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.” He is an adult man over 18 years old who has underlying health conditions. The patient was admitted to a local hospital on Sunday, March 1 suffering from a respiratory illness.

The county’s public health lab conducted the test, which is expected to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the coming days. The patient, who is being treated at a hospital in the county, had no known travel history and no known contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

CCHS is conducting a thorough investigation to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the patient.

“Contra Costa Health Services is conducting a thorough investigation to identify anyone who may have had contact with the patient before they were isolated,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, County Public Health Medical Director. “This case suggests that coronavirus or COVID-19 may be circulating in Contra Costa County.”

The officials further said it’s time to prepare an to be smart about the virus. Schools and businesses should prepare plans and encourage employees and students to stay home if they are sick. Use hand sanitizer, wash your hands for 20 seconds and often. Do not touch your face and use household cleaners to wipe down surfaces. You should also try to keep distance from people who appear to have a cold or the flu. Avoid shaking hands and try to maintain distance.

Officials would not say in which hospital the latest patient is located.

Asked why the public isn’t being informed what hospital the patient is in, like other counties and states are doing, so they can decide whether they want to go to that hospital or another, Will Harper, Acting Communications Director for Contra Costa Public Health responded, “That concern is understandable but that has to be balanced with the patient’s right to privacy. Our department decided it’s best for the patient’s right to privacy to not share the name of the hospital in which they’re located.”

“The public is being protected when a patient is in the hospital in isolation and separated from other patients and the public,” he added.

CCHS issued a letter on Monday from Contra Costa County Health Services Director Anna Roth and Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano stating, “we expect to see more cases, here in Contra Costa County” and “Now is the time for individuals and families, neighborhoods, community organizations, businesses, schools and all sectors to take steps to be prepared.” They provide a list of “ideas to help get prepared and prevent the spread of the disease now” which can be read, here: COVID19-CCHS Letter-03022020

In addition, Roth and Peddycord issued a Health Alert Update on Friday, Feb. 28 providing direction to healthcare providers in the county. Health-Alert-Coronavirus-CCHS-022820

More Details from Contra Costa Health Services

The novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of pneumonia illness. The outbreak began in December, 2019 in Hubei Province, China, but outbreaks are now occurring in other countries around the world. There have been a number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus reported in California.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and public health agencies across the U.S. are monitoring this new disease. Contra Costa Health Services is working closely with its partners and other health systems to track the situation locally.

Most U.S. cases involve international travelers or close contact with someone who has the virus, known as COVID-19. But COVID-19 may now be circulating in Northern California communities including the Bay Area, according to the CDC and CDPH.

Hospitals in the county, including Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers, are screening patients with symptoms for potential exposure to COVID-19. Contra Costa Health Services has sent information about coronavirus to local medical providers, emergency medical services providers, and schools.

As this is an unusual situation, information could change rapidly.