Orange County has declared both a local emergency and a local health emergency due to fears surrounding the coronavirus – also known as the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The declaration is in response to a federal and state proposal to relocate coronavirus-affected patients to the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. 

The county balked at a quarantine site being moved into the community, setting off a contentious court battle that ended with Costa Mesa requesting a temporary restraining order from a federal judge – a process that effectively blocks plans to use the city as a home base for affected patients until the status of the restraining order is decided on March 2.  

While the win is temporary, Costa Mesa and Orange County hope that the legal maneuver will remove the area from discussions as a possible coronavirus quarantine site. And while there has only been one confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Orange County with no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred, officials have declared an emergency in order to better prepare for a possible outbreak. 

“The County of Orange and our County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick have declared a local emergency. We have issued these declarations in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s comments on COVID-19 yesterday, along with the possibility of active COVID-19 patients being brought to Fairview Developmental Center in my district in Costa Mesa,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District. “Although there are currently no cases of coronavirus in Orange County, my goal is to ensure all residents and visitors to Orange County as well as all of our resources can be prepared in the event of an outbreak.”

The city of Irvine has been closely monitoring this community health concern and has added a discussion of this topic to the March 10 Irvine City Council Agenda. Said Mayor Shea in a recent statement: “Given this is a rapidly evolving situation, I would like to discuss the city’s response and preparedness efforts. While I recognize that the current risk to the public is low, I think it is important for Irvine and the region to understand the scope and nature of the concern. It is my intent to have timely information provided to our City Council from federal, state and county agencies.”

The emergency declaration is not meant to panic the community, but rather to assist the county in better leveraging resources and allow for greater agency coordination overall. By declaring both a local emergency and a local health emergency, Orange County will be able to seek future reimbursement from the state and federal governments for county activities in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in the area. 

“This decision from the county did not come lightly,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “This is a measured and prudent response in preparation for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in Orange County. The Board of Supervisors and county staff are working vigilantly to monitor and prepare all the resources at our county’s disposal to ensure the safety and well-being for all of Orange County’s residents and visitors.”

There has been one confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Orange County; the patient was isolated and has recovered. Since his recovery, there are no longer any active, confirmed cases of infection in the county. 

While the risk of infection to the public in Orange County is believed to be low, the OC Health Care Agency has confirmed that they continue to engage and monitor the rapidly changing worldwide response to COVID-19. 

“With 60 U.S. cases of coronavirus, we are facing a real-life crisis that must be managed. I support an emergency declaration, not because I necessarily believe the public is in more danger, but because the federal and state governments refuse to give us enough information to discharge our public health responsibilities,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. “Orange County is a major tourist destination with a robust business sector, the sheer number of visitors and residents traveling to and from Orange County is significant. We want to be vigilant in ensuring the County is prepared and has sufficient resources to prevent and combat any possible outbreak of COVID-19.”

Residents are reminded to prevent the spread of illness by washing your hands often, staying home when sick, and covering your coughs and sneezes. The Orange County Health Care Agency’s medical director of communicable disease control stresses the importance of getting your flu vaccination as well, where local health officials stated in a panel discussion earlier this month that flu season poses a far greater risk to the nation at this time.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms can appear between two to 14 days after exposure. According to the CDC, if you have been to China – or been in close contact with someone who has been to China – and are experiencing symptoms you should seek medical care right away and avoid contact with others. Area medical centers request that you call ahead of your visit, in order to ensure the proper safety protocol is followed. 

If you have not been to China recently, and have not been in close contact with someone who has and is sick, the CDC assures that your risk of infection is very low. 

If you are concerned, you are encouraged to visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus or call the OC Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 (800) 564- 8448 for more information.

“Orange County residents need to take the proper precautions to ensure their health and welfare are protected at all times,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “The best way to receive the most up to date information on how to stay healthy and safe locally is to follow our OC Health Care Agency on Twitter and Facebook.”

Regardless of the outcome of the restraining order and the relocation of patients affected by the coronavirus, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) will continue to be transparent and share information with community members, medical providers, colleagues at the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“Our utmost concern is for the health and welfare of all Orange County residents and visitors alike,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “The County of Orange will use all of its resources to ensure we are protected from any possible COVID-19 outbreaks.”

Concerned residents are invited to attend the meeting, or tune in via live broadcast here. 

For more information on the virus and its impact on the community, see our previous article – 2019 CORONAVIRUS: WHAT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS NEED TO KNOW

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