Coronavirus response efforts increase in Merced County. Atwater declares emergency
While there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Merced County as of March 10, COVID-19 is at the forefront of discussions among local government officials this week.
On Monday, the city of Atwater became the first Merced County city to declare an emergency situation, after Mayor Paul Creighton introduced a last minute resolution to the City Council agenda.
The resolution was supported unanimously by the council. Creighton cited confirmed cases of coronavirus in Madera and Fresno counties as a threat to Atwater.
On Wednesday, nearby Stanislaus County reported two cases of coronavirus.
Atwater’s resolution named local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Vanek as a voluntary medical adviser to the city. Vanek will serve as a liaison between the medical community and Atwater, ensuring that the city is informed by a medical professional, according to the resolution.
County Supervisor Daron McDaniel, whose district 3 encompasses Atwater, described the resolution as an extra step. He recommended Vanek join the daily status calls between local officials, agencies and healthcare professionals so as to not duplicate efforts.
Creighton acknowledged Atwater may be moving faster than nearby cities or the county. Creighton said he wanted to take an extra proactive step so the public knows the city is doing everything in its power to respond to the situation.
“It doesn’t cost anything to prepare,” he said.
Atwater officials and first responders are working alongside the California Office of Emergency Services and the County Department of Public Health daily to plan for the possible spread of coronavirus.
The city will have the option to renew the local emergency in 30 days.
Although no other cities have declared an emergency, Merced Mayor Mike Murphy said the constantly evolving situation requires the city keep all its options open.
“We’re being proactive to plan for the coronavirus in the event that it does come to the city of Merced,” Murphy said.
Discussions at county level
As the local lead for coronavirus response, the Merced County Public Health department on Tuesday updated the Board of Supervisors on the current situation.
Interim County Health Officer Dr. Kenneth Bird reiterated Merced County has no confirmed COVID-19 cases. Sixteen at risk individuals in self-isolation due to travel were monitored but did not show symptoms.
Bird emphasized that mortality is higher among individuals with preexisting conditions, but warned, “There are some vulnerable populations here.”
He said that community transmission is the more likely mode of transference at this point, meaning cases are unconnected to travel.
County officials say their preparation efforts in response to a potential coronavirus outbreak began in earnest more than a month ago. On Jan. 27 the Merced County Public Health Department opened an operations center which will help deal with the evolving situation.
Status calls helping to disseminate a unified message among all parties happen daily between the Merced County Office of Emergency Services, Merced County Public Health, county and city officials, schools and healthcare professionals.
“We’re more coordinated than if we were just starting this right now,” County Director of Public Health Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp told the Sun-Star, noting that early preparation allowed necessary partnerships to become further fortified.
Previous to her work in Merced County, Nanyonjo-Kemp served as Princess Cruises’ public health director for several years. Several serious outbreaks occurred during that time, mandating that she connect directly with the Center for Disease Control.
“I don’t think there’s anything that could have better prepared me,” she said.
Local information and resources
Merced residents can prepare with information and resources about coronavirus planning and prevention on the county’s website. Suggestions specific to readying a household are also available.
A public information hotline is also available at (209) 381-1180 to answer questions in English, Spanish and Hmong.
Although Merced County has not issued a local health emergency declaration, nearly 20 nearby California counties have. This opens them up to aid, reimbursement and resources.
Nanyonjo-Kemp said that while declaring a local health emergency hasn’t been the county’s focal point, it is still on the table. The decision doesn’t only relate to public health, but also takes personnel, supplies and partnerships into account, she said.
Public health labs remain the only facilities available to test for the virus, but the county has ample coronavirus test kits at this time, Bird said.
Supervisor Scott Silveira urged the public to remain calm and only spread accurate information, such as what’s provided on the county and the CDC’s websites.
“Help us help you,” he said. “Help us disseminate good information.”
Officials continued to advise residents to wash their hands, avoid unnecessary personal contact, stay home when sick and contact the health department or a health care provider if coronavirus symptoms appear. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Supplies run short
Reports of supplies running short continue at some stores statewide, as concern residents stock up.
As shops struggle to keep up with customers, some stores like Target have restricted the number of certain items available to purchase at one time.
A March 10 release from Target CEO Brian Cornell addressed the unusually high demand.
“As demand for cleaning products, medicine, pantry stock-up items and more remains high, we’re sending more products to our stores as quickly as possible,” Cornell said in the release. “And this weekend, we started to limit the number of key items per purchase, which will allow more guests to get what they need.”
Target will also clean surfaces such as checklanes and touchscreens at least every 30 minutes and temporarily end in-store food sampling, according to Cornell.
The Merced Save Mart also saw higher demand for cleaning and personal hygiene products, according to Public Affairs Manager Victoria Castro.
“To keep up with demand, we are working diligently with our vendors and suppliers to ensure the ongoing availability of products on our shelves,” Castro said in an email to the Sun-Star.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
