disease control

You may not be aware that someone you know has been a victim, but statistically speaking, it is almost guaranteed. Violence and abuse take many forms, including domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and cyberstalking, and child abuse.

● One in 4 women in the U.S. will experience some form of relationship violence in their lifetime.
● Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
● One in 10 people is stalked.
● Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S each year; however, this data may be inaccurate as many child abuse cases go unreported.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new company has launched to meet the community needs of COVID-19 testing with workplace testing and overnight results. Test Well today announced the launch of its purpose-built lab in South Lake Tahoe that will not only lower the cost but provides increased accuracy of test results.

The Test Well team, composed of industry experts and local personnel, will prioritize the testing of frontline and essential workers at scale. Starting Monday, December 21, 2020, Lake Tahoe area employers will have access to quick and affordable testing for their employees.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 18 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, four in El Dorado Hills, four are in Greater Placerville, one in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, three in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, one Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and four in the Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, two are under the age of 18, six are aged 18-49, seven are aged 50-64 and three 65 or older.

Another 356 people were tested for the coronavirus and 338 negative tests results were received.

As daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday, November 1, any will notice the time change disrupting sleep patterns and affecting the ability to concentrate and safely operate a motor vehicle. To highlight the life-threatening dangers of fatigued driving, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) joins the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the National Sleep Foundation in recognizing Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 1-8, 2020, and encouraging Californians to stay alert and stay alive.

In 2020, Red Ribbon Week, the nation's largest and longest running drug-use prevention campaign, turns 35 and will be observed October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week has informed millions of kids and parents about the danger of drugs and alcohol, influencing positive choices and behaviors. However, one “drug” that may not receive as much attention lately is nicotine. which is highly addictive.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a good time check in with yourself and loved ones. So many of us are struggling to keep our mental health in check right now. It’s normal to feel anxious about the impacts of COVID-19. Preventing our worries from consuming us can reduce stress and uncertainty—and even more severe behavioral health issues like suicide.

Board-certified rheumatologist, Leah Krull, MD, has joined the team of medical experts practicing at Barton Health. A physician skilled at addressing autoimmune and joint diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis, gout, and lupus, Dr. Krull is treating patients at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness in South Lake Tahoe.

Rheumatology manages conditions that affect joints and the body as a whole due to systemic inflammation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With months of people being under "Stay at Home" orders, and if the past few days are any indication, this holiday weekend will be busy at Lake Tahoe as people get out in the fresh air, hike, bike, go to the beach and get on the water.

The July Fourth holiday at Lake Tahoe will look a bit different this year with firework shows canceled, social distancing, the requirement of face coverings in public places and growing concerns about responsible recreation.

As temperatures at Lake Tahoe are heating up, so are discussions about wearing a face mask in public. While science continues to reveal new information about the coronavirus, one thing is clear: wearing a face mask slows the spread of COVID-19, if enough people wear them.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On June 12, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are joined by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest who is opening all of its campgrounds in California.

Nevada group campsites and day-use areas that hold less than 50 people will also reopen. Visitor centers and California group campsites remain closed. Both the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and LTBMU offices remain closed.

All passengers on Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) buses will be required to wear a face covering while on transit buses and in transit facilities starting Monday, May 18.

This new requirement is to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain and in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A temporary closure order for USFS beaches and recreation sites around Lake Tahoe has been extended through at least May 15, 2020. The original order was set to expire May 1. To keep in alignment with current federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers, it was extended.

Trailheads and trails outside of the orange areas of the attached maps, or the ones on the closure website, are not affected by this order but parking lots are closed.

At the request of Alpine County in California, all Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lands within the boundaries of the county will be temporarily closed to overnight camping starting on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

“We recognize that this overnight camping restriction comes at a time when many are seeking respite in natural areas,” said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. “However, this temporary closure is to support state, county, and local authorities in controlling COVID-19 pandemic.”

Approximately 1,800 residents in the Quad-County region who do not have any of the COVID-19 symptoms will be able to be tested for the virus starting May 4. The limited number of tests will be given by appointment only and those can be made starting Monday, April 27. About 150,000 people live in the Quad-County region so just over one-percent of residents without symptoms can get tested.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is implementing fire restrictions earlier than usual this year to reduce the number of human-caused fires and reduce firefighter exposure to COVID-19 during the current pandemic. The Humboldt-Toiyabe will enact fire restrictions prohibiting campfires and smoking outside of vehicles starting on April 15 and going until May 31, or until rescinded.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With "Stay at Home" orders from the state down to the local government, many are learning to adjust to the things they took for granted just a month ago.

One of those is a trip to the grocery store.

Even with all South Lake Tahoe grocery stores open, it doesn't mean it should be shopping as normal, a.k.a. "pre-coronavirus days."

Most households don't have refrigerator or freezer space, or even cupboard space to not have to make a run to the grocery store once in a while. But the fewer trips one makes, the better it is to remain safe and virus-free.

STATELINE, Nev. - Rider input is needed by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) in order to best determine their bus routes during the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.

TTD is asking riders to contact them with what routes and runs are most important. In the meantime, they have implemented safety measures for both riders and employees to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many resort towns are dealing with results of parents out of work and students out of school due to the coronavirus - increased visitation. Officials are reminding all that shelters in place and advisements to stay home are serious and not a reason to go on vacation, and South Lake Tahoe is no different.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A day after they canceled events that were deemed high-risk, Sierra-at-Tahoe has announced they are suspending operations on Sunday, March 15 for at least 72 hours.

In a statement, Sierra-at-Tahoe said they apologized for the short notice and for any inconvenience it may post to their customers.

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is committed to helping mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to take measures to keep staff and students safe. With that in mind, effective immediately LTCC is canceling all community events and outside group meetings planned for on campus to help reduce the chance of exposure and spread. Furthermore, LTCC is canceling all non-essential travel for LTCC employees. These are measures designed to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of exponential community spread of COVID-19. These measures will be in effect until further notice.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Pink Heavenly, the annual fundraising event at Heavenly Mountain Resort to raise funds for Barton Health's cancer support services, has been canceled.

Originally planned for March 21, 2020, organizers with the Barton Foundation canceled the event to "protect community members, employees and care providers in the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in El Dorado County or South Lake Tahoe, but the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Education and the district's leaders are keeping apprised of the situation. They have been collaborating with El Dorado County Public Health with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Center for Disease Control to determine the best course of action to protect students and staff members while meeting their educational needs.

Besides being known for bringing candy hearts and lots of snow, February is National Heart Health Month. Heart disease is identified as the leading cause of death in both men and women by the Centers for Disease Control. In addition to screenings that can be done to monitor your heart’s health, there are fundamentals of following a preventative heart health lifestyle that can help prevent heart disease and maintain heart health.