Orange County Begins Reporting City-Specific COVID-19 Data
County Begins Reporting City-Specific COVID-19 Data
City of Laguna Beach, March 27, 2020, Media Release
Laguna Beach, CA — Today the Orange County Health Care Agency began sharing City-specific COVID-19 data with the Orange County community. According to the Health Care Agency, City case data is reflective of where cases live; this does not necessarily reflect where COVID-19 transmission occurred.
The County has determined that based on HIPAA laws, they cannot release independent information for cities with populations of less than 25,000. Therefore, Laguna Beach (population 22,723) will be listed in the “other” category and grouped with the unincorporated area, Laguna Woods, Coto de Caza, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Villa Park (these areas have a cumulative population just over 200,000.) As of Friday, March 27, the Health Care Agency reported to the community that 27 positive COVID-19 cases are currently reported in this cumulative reporting area.
The County has provided the following explanation around the reporting:
City numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, as COVID-19 is present in all communities in the county.
Because transmission occurs throughout the county, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by the Governor and the Orange County Health Officer regardless of case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospital and healthcare system, and protect those most vulnerable in our county.
Case counts are not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick; asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.
“I urge everyone in our community to stay at home except for the most essential needs such as going to the grocery store, the pharmacy or to see a doctor,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “The most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid contact with others. I appreciate the tremendous compliance we have had so far from our residents and businesses and I ask everyone to keep it up.”
Centers for Disease Control’s Steps to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 if You Are Sick
Stay in touch with your doctor. Call your doctor before you get medical care. If you do not have a doctor call the Orange County Health Care Agency COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline: 1(800) 564-8448. They will help you find an urgent care clinic or drive through testing facility in your area.
Stay at home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
Call 911 only if you have a medical emergency and have emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatcher that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before medical help arrives.
Additional Resources
The City is regularly updating additional information on COVID-19 on our website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/coronavirus
We are sending out regular COVID-19 Updates to the community through Laguna Beach’s Nixle Community Alert system. To sign up, simply text 92651 to 888-777.
