To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Proclaiming the Termination of a Local Health Emergency Regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Majority Vote)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the Resolution Proclaiming the Termination of a Local Health Emergency (COVID-19)
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
N/A
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 was an imminent threat. On March 4, 2020, the State of California declared a state of emergency to prepare for a broad spread of COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, the Humboldt County Health Officer declared a local health emergency. The County of Humboldt Board of Supervisors ratified the County Health Officer’s declaration on March 17, 2020.
Declaration of a local health emergency allowed Department of Health and Human Services Public Health (DHHS-PH) and other involved county departments to access resources such as additional staff time and required supplies and equipment needed in preparing for and responding to community transmission.
Governor Newsom announced a plan to declare an end to the California COVID-19 state of emergency on Tuesday, February 28, 2023; and resume public health guidance and response efforts that align with current and future federal Health & Human Services and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidance and requirements. The President of the United States has announced the intent to end the national emergency and public health declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Locally, the COVID -19 response has been integrated into the normal operations of DHHS-PH, with sufficient resources to respond to the most urgent needs in high-risk populations. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board consider adopting the resolution proclaiming the termination of a local health emergency regarding COVID-19.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
There would be no financial impact to adopting this resolution.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
There would be no staffing impact to adopting this resolution.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework priority of providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to proclaim the termination of a local health emergency regarding COVID-19. However, this alternative is not recommended because it would require the continuation of requirements that are no longer appropriate for the current conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in our county.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. County of Humboldt Board of Supervisors Resolution Proclaiming the Termination of a Local Health Emergency (COVID-19)
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: K-1
Meeting of: 3/17/2020
File No.: 20-358