Kings County declares emergency over ‘imminent’ coronavirus, orders disaster workers to report
Kings County declared a state of emergency Tuesday, hoping to have a prepared response to the novel coronavirus.
Kings became the latest central San Joaquin Valley county to declare an emergency over COVID-19 as it has spread in the United States. The emergency declaration gives counties the ability to respond to issues quicker and seek state and federal assistance.
No cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Kings County, according to county officials. However, three cases are recorded in Tulare County; two in Fresno County; and one in Madera County. Dozens of people have been tested and others have self-isolated out of concern for symptoms.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors declared an “imminent” and “proximate” threat to public health exists in the county. The virus has rapidly spread as testing is increased across the country.
In California, 11 people have died from the virus and nearly 500 cases have been confirmed. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a widespread shutdown of the state’s institutions, including commercial, recreational and entertainment venues.
Schools and churches have taken steps to close for at least a month to limit the exposure among people. The COVID-19 is highly contagious, and health experts continue to learn more about it. It is a respiratory infection with similar symptoms to the flu.
Under the emergency declaration, Kings County health workers are asked to follow all direction from the public health director. Disaster workers were called in to work as needed, according to a county announcement.
