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The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services is conducting daily surveillance of respiratory illness in Marin County to increase sensitivity in detecting potential COVID-19 activity. We will provide surveillance updates daily at marinhhs.org/coronavirus/data.
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Influenza Surveillance Report Update
We will be suspending our regular Influenza Surveillance reporting to offer Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance updates, including surveillance of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and influenza-like illnesses, from Emergency Department visits and Emergency Medical Services dispatches. For up-to-date influenza guidance, visit MarinFlu.org.
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As of March 12th, 3 cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been identified and the level of respiratory illness activity in Marin County is increasing. For additional information on current activity and Marin County's response visit marinhhs.org/coronavirus. Daily respiratory illness and COVID-19 surveillance updates will be available at marinhhs.org/coronavirus/data.
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Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: As of March 12, 2020, there have been 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19, all of which had a known exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
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At this time, we are not recommending COVID-19 testing for people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms unless they have contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case or have a history of travel to an affected area within 14 days of symptom onset.
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Respiratory illness activity: Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Respiratory illness activity will capture visits that may be due to COVID-19 and influenza-like illnesses. Respiratory illness activity is increasing in Marin County with approximately 8% of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) dispatches and 10% of Emergency Department (ED) visits due to respiratory illnesses (Figure 1).
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Figures 1A-B. Proportion of Visits due to Respiratory Illnesses
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Marin County Emergency Medical Services Dispatches (1A)
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Kaiser San Rafael, MarinHealth Medical Center, and Novato Community Hospital Emergency Department Visits (1B)
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Discharge data from Kaiser San Rafael, MarinHealth, and Novato Community Hospital show trends in ED visits due to respiratory illnesses and are updated as soon as data are available for all three hospitals, while Marin County EMS dispatch data reflect trends in county-wide EMS responses due to respiratory illnesses and are updated daily.
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Age Distribution of Respiratory Illness Visits: The majority of respiratory illness-related EMS dispatches occur among those 65 years and older, while the majority of ED visits due to respiratory illnesses occur among those less than 65 years of age (Figures 2A-B). ED visits and EMS dispatches due to respiratory illnesses are elevated as compared to daily averages from January to March, 2019 (Figures 2A-B).
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Figures 2A-B. Daily Age Distribution of Visits due to Respiratory Illness
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Marin County Emergency Medical Services Dispatches (2A)
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Kaiser San Rafael, MarinHealth Medical Center, and Novato Community Hospital Emergency Department Visits (2B)
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The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
- Use an alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available;
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands). If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterward;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe;
- Get your flu shot to protect against influenza.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, up-to-date information about Marin County's current COVID-19 prevention and testing recommendations can be found on the Marin County COVID-19 webpage.
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California
As of March 13th at 8 a.m., there are 247 confirmed cases and five deaths, with eight counties (Solano, Contra Costa, San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Yolo) reporting community transmission. View full updates at the California Department of Public Health's COVID-19 website.
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United States
National COVID-19 activity is increasing, with 1,629 confirmed cases and 41 deaths across 47 states and territories as of March 13th. View more detailed information at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 website.
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