COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE

Oceanside Public Safety Officials and the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency are working closely with federal and state partners to monitor the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and are mobilized to respond in our region.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is the lead agency responsible for coronavirus response countywide. The City of Oceanside works in partnership with the County and other local, state and federal health officials to receive guidance and coordinate response.

What the City is doing:

The City is taking steps to develop its Continuity of Operations Plan, to ensure all critical functions of City government remain operational during emergency events, including infectious disease emergencies. For those individuals or businesses that need to conduct business with the City, City Hall remains open, but many services may be conducted online, such as building permits, business licenses and fee payments. Non-essential services may be curtailed in coordination with Countywide response measures moving forward.

According to the County Health Officials, the virus is not currently spreading widely in our region, and the immediate health risk to the general public from the virus causing COVID-19 is thought to be low both in the U.S. and in Oceanside. However, there are steps the City of Oceanside is taking to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread:

• Increasing cleaning/disinfecting schedules at City facilities
• Coordinating with County Health to place wash stations in areas throughout the City in community gathering spaces
• Contacting large event organizers for contingency plans
• Sharing County Health and CDC information through newsletters and social media · Updating the dedicated webpage daily
• Sharing COVID-19 messages via water bills
• Playing Public Service Announcements on preventative measures on KOCT
• Reaching out to Oceanside residential care for the elderly providers to ensure they are taking precautions
• Oceanside Police Homeless Outreach Teams providing informational handouts

The containment of coronavirus is an ever-evolving situation. Because of this, the best source for the most up-to-date information is San Diego County Public Health and the Center for Disease Control. We’ve established a coronavirus page on the City’s website that mirrors much of their information and will provide status updates on city facilities and events.

As a reminder, there are measures we can all take as the situation evolves:

• Practice everyday preventive actions such as performing frequent hand hygiene, washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol; covering your cough and sneeze; avoiding ill people; and staying home when sick (except to seek medical care). These simple actions can prevent the spread of many illnesses, including COVID-19. For more information, see CDC’s Steps to Prevent Illness
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 starts to spread in the community.
• Take steps to protect others by staying home if you are sick, except to get medical care. More info
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. More info

Information for Specific Groups:

• ​Individuals and Households
  
• Older Adults and Other People at Higher Risk
  
• Travelers
  
• Pregnant Women and Children
  
• Schools and Childcare Programs
  
• Colleges & Universities
  
• Businesses and Employers
  
• Community and Faith-based Organizations
  
• Event Organizers
  
• Healthcare Professionals

Printable Handouts from CDC:

• Share the Facts about COVID-19
  
• What you Need to Know
  
  • English
    
  • Spanish
    
• Stop the Spread of Germs flyer
  
  • English
    
  • Spanish