For Immediate Release
Update on County Response to COVID-19
Redwood City – The County of San Mateo continues to work to protect public health and safety in response to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
The County of San Mateo’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open to coordinate countywide response and communications in response to the situation. The EOC’s Joint Information Center will provide daily status reports Monday through Friday until further notice. Today’s report:
New Bay Area Public Health Recommendation to Cover the Face
Bay Area health officials are recommending residents cover their nose and mouth with cloth when leaving home for essential travel such as doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits.
The regional recommendation aligns with new guidance from the California Department of Public Health.
The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again.
Health officials do not recommend that the public use medical masks (N-95 or surgical masks), which are in limited supply and must be preserved for our health care workers and first responders. Learn more at https://www.smcgov.org/press-release/new-bay-area- public-health-recommendation-cover-face
Essential Businesses to Post Social Distancing Protocol
The deadline to draft and post a Social Distancing Protocol for all businesses permitted to continue operations is 11:59 p.m. April 2, 2020. The fillable PDF document can be found at https://www.smcgov.org/shelter-place-faqs in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese
and must be posted at or near the business entrance easily viewable by the public and employees.
San Mateo County COVID-19 Cases
San Mateo County Health has updated the number of positive cases to 453 as of today.
County Health provides detailed information on cases by age group and date and deaths by age group. Learn more at https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus
Call Center
Residents with non-medical, non-emergency questions about the coronavirus can call 211 at any time, day or night. Callers from landlines and cellular telephones located within San Mateo County are connected with a trained service professional from 211, a confidential service available in 180 languages.