Public health officials announced the first two cases of COVID-19 in Napa County on Sunday, offering the county’s residents an indication that the highly contagious disease had finally reached their community.
“This is Napa County’s first case and evidence that COVID-19 is in our community,” Karen Relucio, Napa County’s Public Health Officer, said in a statement. “I understand this may be concerning to the community, but this is why I, and the State of California, have issued Shelter-At-Home orders to slow the spread of illness and not overwhelm the local health care system.”
“It is imperative that the local community comply with these orders.”
At 4:55 p.m., officials confirmed a second case, saying the first one came Sunday morning and the second Sunday afternoon.
County officials issued legal orders for both patients, who live in the cities of Napa and St. Helena, to self-quarantine, according to a news release.
“With the increase in testing, finding additional cases is not unexpected,” Relucio said. “It is critical that people who develop respiratory symptoms stay at home and isolate themselves from others, even if they still feel well enough to go out. As a community, we need to act now to slow the spread of the virus.”
Public health officials are investigating the case but are not releasing any additional information at this time due to medical privacy requirements, according to a statement from the county.
For more information, visit the county’s COVID-19 page at https://www.countyofnapa.org/2739/Coronavirus.
Check back for updates.
Staff writer George Kelly contributed to this report.