The Information You Need to Know
Shasta, Lassen and Modoc are all in the Purple Tier. There are 52 counties in the state in this most restrictive tier. There is a strong possibility that there will be a stay-at-home order issued for these 52 counties in the near future. Stay tuned for more information.

The East Region of Shasta County now has 215 cumulative cases, an increase of 35 over the last 7 days.


The adjusted case rate for Shasta County is 38.4 daily cases per 100,000 residents, exceeding the purple tier limit of 7.0. The positivity rate increased from 9.7% to 9.9%. The purple tier begins at 8%. You can find this data and more at www.ShastaReady.org; click “Data and Statistics.”

As of November 30 there have been 5132 cases in Shasta County total. There are 62 hospitalized, with 10 of those in ICU. There have been 90,409 tests performed in Shasta County total. The majority of recent cases have been people with symptoms - 91% in September, 90% in October and 93% in November. The most common symptoms have been cough, headache, fever and muscle aches.


Visit our website for detailed information. Mayers COVID Information

This community newsletter and will be published weekly on Wednesdays or more often if necessary.

If you were around someone diagnosed with COVID-19

If you were around someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, someone from the health department may call you.

Stay home and away from others:
  • Stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and people with other medical conditions, if possible.
  • If you have been around someone with COVID-19, stay home and away from others for 14 days (self-quarantine) after your last contact with that person and monitor your health.
  • If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and away from others (except to get medical care or testing, if recommended).
  • If you need support or assistance while in self-quarantine, your health department or community organizations may be able to provide assistance.

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19.
Monitor your health:
  • Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Remember, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to COVID-19.

Answer the phone call from the health department. If someone from the health department calls you, answer the call to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community.
  • Discussions with health department staff are confidential. This means that your personal and medical information will be kept private and only shared with those who may need to know, like your health care provider.
  • Your name will not be shared with those you came in contact with. The health department will only notify people you were in close contact with (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) that they might have been exposed to COVID-19.

Tell the health department staff if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. If your symptoms worsen or become severe, you should seek emergency medical care.
What Do Your Test Results Mean? What Do I Do While I Wait for Results?
To help stop the spread of COVID, take these 3 steps while you wait for your test results. READ MORE


Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer. Another important difference is there is a vaccine to protect against flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. More information about differences between flu and COVID-19 is available in the different sections below.
The COVID Chat

It’s a potentially uncomfortable but important conversation this year: The COVID chat.
Do:
Be clear: Say “no” to anything that could increase risk for you or the people you care about

Offer alternatives: Ask if there’s another way to connect with family and share the experience

Drop off holiday meals for older loved ones and those with medical conditions, so they can stay home

Plan safe celebrations well in advance, then stick to the plan

Be honest: Remind people you care about them and need to take precautions for everyone’s health

Don’t:
Plan celebrations with multiple households

Make someone feel guilty for not wanting to gather in person

Ridicule someone for wanting to take precautions

Feel pressured to take risks you’re not comfortable with

Forget to be compassionate, even when turning down an invitation
Do you have unanswered questions?
Call 211 for frequently asked questions about coronavirus, or email COVID19@co.shasta.ca.us. 
What can you do to deal with uncertainty?
The response to the COVID-19 is a fluid and evolving situation with many unknowns. It can be easy to become overwhelmed and feel the stress caused by uncertainty. Separating what is in your control from what is not is a healthy way to cope. You can:
  • Set boundaries with the amount of time you spend watching the news. Consider going to websites, such as the CDC, Coronavirus in California and ShastaReady.org, where you can get information on your own terms, instead of getting caught up in the constant news cycle.
  • Take breaks from social media and/or commit to using it only to stay in touch with friends or loved ones.
  • Redirect your energy to helping out others. Helping someone in their time of need benefits both the supporter and the helper. Find creative ways to connect and assist others while practicing social distancing.
  • Know who you can turn to and help you deal with the stress. If you are having difficulty getting in touch with your circle of support, you can call the California Peer-Run Warmline for emotional support (non-emergency) or the Disaster Distress Line to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. Both hotlines are free.


Do You need Activities for Your Children?
Virtual Field Trips and Cultural Enrichment
More About Contact Tracing

Contact tracing helps stop the spread of COVID-19, and because we have such a large number of cases in Shasta County, the county is relying on people who test positive to help notify their close contacts. In Shasta County, you may get a call or text from a 916 area code. The text will include a link to a website that begins “caconnected.cdph.ca.gov,” which leads to a questionnaire that helps with the contact tracing process. If you receive a text and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate, call (530) 225-5591 and say you are returning a call or text from a contact tracer.
MAYERS IS PREPARED

MMHD is prepared to provide care for COVID positive patients. The hospital is equipped with negative pressure isolation rooms and has a COVID procedure plan in place.

Our staff is trained in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and takes every precaution with potential COVID patients.

The hospital has established very strong protocols to keep our patients, residents and staff. safe.

Shasta County hospitals have emergency plans in place for situations such as COVID-19. Shasta County hospitals have been preparing contingency plans that are specific to this situation. Teams at the hospitals are collaborating on a daily basis to ensure that the most up-to-date recommendations are followed.

When Do I need to See a Doctor?

It depends on the severity of your symptoms. If the symptoms can be managed at home, we encourage you to do that. If your symptoms are severe enough that you need to seek medical care, or if you have underlying healthcare conditions, please contact your primary care provider or seek care wherever you would normally seek care. Either way, if you are sick, it is important to isolate yourself from others whenever possible.
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Mayers Memorial Hospital District
www.mayersmemorial.com