Alpine County has first confirmed case of COVID-19

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Today the Alpine County Health Department was notified of the first laboratory-confirmed case of the new coronavirus COVID-19 infection in an Alpine County resident. The individual is recovering at home and was never hospitalized.

Alpine County is located south of Lake Tahoe, has a population of 1,120 and is 743 square miles in size and includes Markleeville and Bear Valley.

An investigation has determined the person was exposed and acquired the infection in a location distant from Alpine County. This person and their household "have

been very cooperative with self-quarantine measures, and therefore we do not believe that this case presents any risk of community transmission in our local area," said health officials.

"As you are aware, cases of COVID-19 have been rapidly increasing around the state, nation, and world. We estimate that it will take a few more weeks before we have evidence that the firm physical distancing measures in place are having an effect in “flattening the curve”. This is not a time to let down our guard," the County said in a press release.

Alpine County has taken the following actions:
1. Essential county functions will continue, with arrangements for staff to work from home unless absolutely necessary to be in the workplace. The health and safety of our clinic staff and all first responders is of utmost concern and our first priority. Fire, law, and EMS services will continue as usual.

2. A local emergency has been declared by the Alpine County Office of Emergency Services (Sheriff’s Office), and a local health emergency has been declared by the Health Officer. Both have been ratified by the Board of Supervisors

3. Alpine County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Health and Human Services Department Operations Center (DOC) meet electronically on a regular basis.

4. Dial-a-Ride service will continue by appointment for essential services only. Call 530-694-9301, or go to the Alpine County Web site for more details
5. Our Social Services staff will continue to deliver meals to seniors. Call 530-694-2235 to request home delivery. For those who do not have other means of obtaining food, you may call 530-694-2235 to make an appointment for food pick-up from our food pantry.

6. Mental Health services will continue to be available by calling 530-694-1816, or the 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-318-8212.

7. Alpine County Health Department Clinic will continue to operate on Monday and Wednesday from 8-12 and 1-5 by appointment only. Routine appointments and follow-ups will be canceled, and only acute healthcare needs will be handled. Evaluation and testing for COVID-19 infection are available.

8. During this stressful time, County staff will still be available for calls regarding adult or child protective services. Call 530-694-2235.

9. County services will be handled via telephone or electronically as much as possible. Please contact the appropriate department as you normally do. Face-to-face encounters will only happen rarely, and only when no other means are possible to conduct required business.

10. Access to state and federal recreation areas is severely restricted in order to decrease both the risk of human-to-human transmission and limit incentives for the public to travel to Alpine County to recreate during this time.

11. The County has sent out information to reinforce the Governors’ order limiting travel, emphasizing that all motels, hotels, and short-term rentals should cease operations. Alpine County does not have the gasoline, groceries, or healthcare resources that would be needed by an influx of persons from urban areas seeking a safe haven