Merced County, City of Merced declare health emergency over coronavirus
A local and public health emergency was declared Friday by the Merced County Office of Emergency Services and Department of Public Health in response to coronavirus concerns, according to a county news release.
Following the county’s declaration, the City of Merced also declared a state of emergency.
“The inevitable spread of this illness to our community makes it imperative that every resource is in place to assure that the most vulnerable individuals are protected to the fullest extent possible,” County Health Officer Dr. Kenneth Bird said in a news release.
Vulnerable individuals are defined as those over age 65, those with chronic illnesses and those with an impaired immune systems.
Merced County does not have any confirmed cases as of March 13, although many surrounding counties do.
The county’s emergency declaration came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s own declaration of a national emergency Friday. Enacting the Stafford Act, the proclamation authorizes FEMA to respond to COVID-19 and opens the country up to $50 billion in shared funding for states.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency March 4 as well.
The City of Atwater Monday was the first city in Merced county to proclaim an emergency situation.
The county’s emergency declaration increase access to funding, reimbursement and resources. It also expedites emergency response processes that can be slowed by local provisions or regulations.
“It’s essential to be prepared during a situation like this,” said Merced County Fire Department Division Chief Jeremy Rahn, who also serves as the OES Deputy Director.
“We want the public to be assured that we’re doing everything in our power to minimize impacts to our community. It’s important to be calm, but it’s also important to be ready for any potential future impacts.”
Officials continue to advise the public to avoid large gatherings, frequently wash their hands and stay home when ill.
“Keeping our communities and families safe requires a collective effort, which speaks to the foundation of public health and, moreover, speaks to the efforts the County of Merced requires from all its residents,” said County Public Health Director Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness, difficulty breathing, fever and cough.
The Board of Supervisors will vote on ratifying the emergency during a special meeting on March 16 at 1:30 p.m.
The emergency declaration will remain in effect until the Board of Supervisors decides it is no longer necessary, according to Merced County Public Information Officer Mike North. The normal time limit on local emergencies mandating supervisors vote to renew it after a set number of days has been waived.
County employee work schedules have not been changed, but the situation continues to be monitored, North said in a message to the Sun-Star. Essential meetings continue to be held, but non-essential meetings and those not conforming to state recommendations are being reevaluated or canceled.
Accurate information and resources can be found through the county, the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control.
City of Merced increases precautions
The City of Merced announced Friday that it too is taking extra preventative steps against coronavirus, according to a city news release.
“While we have declared a state of emergency, we want everyone to remain calm,” said Mayor Mike Murphy in the release. “This is a situation that will eventually pass and we will work through it.”
At Monday’s City Council meeting, council is expected to pass a resolution confirming the emergency.
City Spokesperson Mike Conway said Merced is following the county’s lead in waiting to declare a local emergency.
The council’s agenda also notes that a coronavirus update will be provided via a special presentation by Merced Fire Chief Billy Alcorn, who oversees the City’s Emergency Operations Center, and a County Public Health official.
While Merced City Council will continue to meet normally, attendees Monday will be greeted with a video advising them to maintain social distance during the meeting by sitting apart from others.
The Civic Center’s Sam Pipes Room will host a video feed of the council meeting and will be set up with chairs spaced six feet apart.
“We are following the recommendations and best practices that come from the health experts at Merced County, the State of California and the Centers for Disease Control,” said City Manager Steve Carrigan. “We urge everyone to avoid large gatherings of over 250 people and to practice social distancing.”
Council meetings are also streamed live on Facebook Live, Comcast and the city’s website.
The city will provide hand sanitizer outside the council chambers.
Although city employees have not yet been given the okay to work from home on a normal basis, Conway said the city is evaluating the situation daily.
City operations are undergoing a re-examination limit face-to-face interactions, the release says.
“We’re having more meetings by conference calls, we’re seeing if we can respond by text or email rather than meeting with people,” Carrigan said. “We’re trying to avoid non-essential contact.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Merced County, City of Merced declare health emergency over coronavirus."
