Update on County’s Response to COVID-19
March 10, 2020
  • Redwood City, Calif. – 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 at approximately 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. Today’s report:

    County Board Ratifies Emergency Declaration
    The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today voted to ratify a declaration of a local health emergency and a proclamation of a local emergency in response to COVID-19. The emergencies will last 30 days, when the Board will consider whether each action needs to be extended.

    The moves make the County eligible for federal reimbursement for some costs associated with the response and additional flexibility for staffing and purchasing. The Board today also approved a resolution easing the ability of the County to hire retired public health and other nursing and medical assistant classifications.

    “We are prepared and we will continue to be prepared,” said County Manager Mike Callagy.

    The County was the first in the Bay Area to set up a call center for residents with non- emergency questions about the coronavirus. The County has also posted detailed information and frequently asked questions on San Mateo County Health’s website.

    “I’m very impressed with the work that’s been done,” Board President Warren Slocum said at the Board meeting. “If the public needs more information about the coronavirus, go to the San Mateo County Health Department’s website. There’s a wealth of information there, also the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has information.”

    Slocum read a quote he feels gets to the heart of the matter: “Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it.”

    County Launches Dedicated Emergency Operations Website
    The County launched a website Tuesday where residents and the news media can find daily status updates on the County’s response to COVID-19. The website is  https://cmo.smcgov.org/eoc

    San Mateo County COVID-19 Cases Remain at Nine
    San Mateo County Health has released the following information about local COVID-19 cases:

    Presumptive Positive: 5 Adult Cases (Awaiting CDC confirmation) Positive: 4 Adult Cases (CDC confirmed)

    San Mateo County Health provides updates and information on its website: https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus

    Call Center Update
    Residents with non-medical, non-emergency questions about the coronavirus can call 2-1-1 or text 211211 at any time, day or night.

    The 2-1-1 service received 130 calls from Friday evening through Monday evening. 2-1-1 is a confidential service available in 180 languages.

    Callers from landlines and cellular telephones located within San Mateo County are connected with a trained 2-1-1 service professional.

    Roundup
    To report an incident of price gouging in San Mateo County, contact the District Attorney’s Office by calling (650) 363-4403 or at da.smcgov.org.

    County officials recommend residents rely on official channels for news and information about COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread. Reliable resources:

    San Mateo County Health https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov San Mateo County Office of Education https://www.smcoe.org