Third Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in El Dorado County

Mar 20, 2020
Mar 20, 2020

El Dorado County officials announced Tuesday the first confirmed case of community transmitted COVID-19 in an El Dorado County resident.

County officials say the resident acquired the COVID-19 virus from an unknown source.

“There are three ways in which we classify the way people acquire COVID-19; through close contact with an individual who has the virus, through travel-related exposure, and through an unidentified source in the community” said El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams. “We have had one confirmed

case through direct contact and one case that is travel related. Today we have a confirmed case that was community transmitted.”

“We have prepared for the identification of this third type of transmission in El Dorado County and it underscores the importance of staying at home. The virus is here in El Dorado County, and it’s more important than ever not to travel to places outside the homes except for essential purposes. And when people are

conducting essential services and activities, it’s critical to practice social distancing and properly washing your hands,” Williams said.

----------

UPDATE: El Dorado County officials say a second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the county.

They said the person had traveled to Washington state recently. Testing happened in Placer County.

Officials said the person's symptoms were mild and they self-isolated. They said they are fully recovered at this time.

El Dorado County officials announced on Friday the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an El Dorado County resident.

They say the individual, who traveled to a Central California County where they believe they were exposed, was visiting sick family members and has not yet returned to El Dorado County.

Officials say she is fully recovered from mild symptoms and has remained in the Central Valley. Health officials are monitoring the case.

“Given the rapidly increasing number of confirmed cases in our region and across California, we have expected and prepared for the inevitability of a confirmed case in an El Dorado County resident,” said El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams. “We are, of course, grateful the individual did not return to El Dorado County while she was still sick, but we are prepared for a reported in-County case.”

Officials say they are working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local healthcare partners to identify any additional cases of COVID-19.

“It’s safe to say that more residents will test positive, even in light of the shelter in place directive I issued and the statewide directive issued by Governor Newsom,” said Williams. “But it’s important to remember that most people who become sick with coronavirus will recover on their own.”