To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
SUBJECT:
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9:15 a.m. - Ratification of Local Health Emergency Declaration Regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Ratify the resolution declaring the existence of a local health emergency to aid the county in preparing for and addressing the community transmission phase of COVID-19; and
2. Receive a report from Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health staff regarding the current status of COVID-19 in Humboldt County.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
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DISCUSSION:
Humboldt County Code section 2210-8, through Ordinance #2447 adopted in 2011, empowers the Humboldt County Health Officer to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local health emergency in the county under certain circumstances.
Humboldt County had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Feb. 20, 2020, and the potential of more COVID-19 cases in Humboldt County is an imminent threat. On March 4, 2020, the state of California declared a state of emergency to help the state prepare for a broad spread of COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich declared a local health emergency, per the attached Resolution.
Declaration of a local health emergency allows DHHS - Public Health and other involved county departments access to resources such as additional staff time, required supplies or equipment needed in preparing for and responding to community transmission. It also opens up the door towards recouping any costs incurred related to the emergency, once the emergency is resolved. When we begin seeing increasing numbers of cases, it will also increase demands on our community partners who are part of the response, such as hospitals, clinics, emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement and other agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
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STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
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