Parents who can’t work because of their child's school closures may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Please call the OLSE Advice Line for help in determining eligibility and assistance with applications.
As our community navigates through the impact of COVID-19 and the rapidly changing guidance from the Public Health Department and the Center for Disease Control, Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Inclusion Collaborative has expanded its Inclusion Support Warmline Services.
English, Español, Tiếng Việt
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Update March 13, 2020
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department held a press conference to issue new guidance and recommendations to protect residents from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The County Superintendent of Schools and all district superintendents in the County have decided to close schools to students for three
weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, and ending April 3, 2020. This school closure is designed to provide schools with the time needed to create long-term plans to operate in ways that align to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department Guidance.
Updated Guidance: 03-13-2020-Updated-Guidance-and-Orders-English.pdf
Information on Santa Clara County Office of Education countywide program closures to students
 English
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Update March 10, 2020
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department held a press conference to issue new guidance and recommendations to protect residents from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The recommendations include a countywide prohibition on mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people as well as updated guidance for childcare and schools.
Updated Guidance: 03-09-20-Updated-Guidance-and-Orders ENGLISH.pdf
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Update March 5, 2020
The County of Santa Clara’s Public Health Department is providing updated recommendations to the community to protect persons at higher-risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. The County is also announcing that there are now 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County.
They are also announcing new guidance designed to reduce the spread of the virus in our community. “We understand that people are very concerned about COVID-19. I want to remind the public that the vast majority of people who became infected with COVID-19 do not become seriously ill, and fully recover. We are making these recommendations to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from the virus, and slow its spread," said the County’s Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody. "We are continuously monitoring this evolving situation, and will issue new guidance if and when that is warranted."
Guidance for schools:
The County Public Health Department is not recommending closing schools at this time. If a staff member or student in a specific school confirmed to have COVID-19, the Public Health Department will consider, based on the specific facts and circumstances of that case, whether closure of that school is warranted. The reason we are not recommending school closures at this time is because children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus. As much as possible, children should be allowed to carry on with their education and normal activities.
We encourage all school officials to carefully review and follow the CDC’s guidance for K-12 schools and childcare centers, as well as our recommendations for mass gatherings and large events. We are aware that schools in our community may need to make decisions about postponement or cancelation of specific activities.
Some children have underlying health conditions, such as weakened immune systems, that put them at higher risk. Caregivers of children with underlying health conditions should consult with healthcare providers about whether their children should stay home.
For additional information including, guidance for workplaces and businesses, persons hosting mass gatherings and large community events, people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness and people who are sick, please read the following press release.
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Update March 3, 2020
New Guidance for COVID-19 in Santa Clara County
The County of Santa Clara’s Public Health Department is providing new guidance to the community to protect persons at higher-risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. The County is also announcing that there are now 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County. “Due to our almost daily increase in cases, the Public Health Department is issuing new guidance today to protect the health of vulnerable individuals,” said the County’s Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody.
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Two New Confirmed Cases in Santa Clara County
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department confirms two new cases of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County. This brings the total number of cases to nine. One case is fully recovered as of February 20, 2020. Four cases are hospitalized, and four cases are in home isolation.
Individuals need to take action to help slow down the spread of the disease. For individuals, the recommendations are simple, but very important:
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Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently, especially after you touch common surfaces, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, light switches, countertops, and tables. It is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Always cover your cough and stay home when you are sick.
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Stay away from people who are sick and stay home if you are sick.
- Work on not touching your face because one-way viruses spread is when you touch your own mouth, nose or eyes. If you do need to touch your own mouth, nose or eyes, wash your hands before you do so.
- Start thinking about family preparedness, how to take care of sick family members while not getting infected. Think about a room to isolate a sick person.
These hygiene practices will undoubtedly help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and other influenza strains.
Press Release: County of Santa Clara Public Health Department Reports Two New Cases of COVID-19
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Update February 28, 2020
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department held a Press Conference to announce that a third case of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County has been confirmed. This third case had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual (See Press Release Below). “It is important to stay home when sick and practice thorough hygiene using soap, hand sanitizers, and tissues while avoiding touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth” stated Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools.
Press Release: English, Spanish, Vietnamese
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Update February 27, 2020
At this point in time for the general American public, the immediate health risk from novel coronavirus (now named COVID-19) is low, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) representatives at a press conference on February 25, 2020. At present there are no immediate plans for school closures due to a spread of this virus. SCCOE is in daily contact with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and continues to monitor the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s’ information for updates.
Although there is currently no immediate risk to our communities, we must be prepared for it to spread in our communities and across the U.S. School districts are taking steps to review their Safety Plans, testing lines of communications, and thinking about how they would ensure that students would be supported in such an emergency.
CDC’s 2/26/2020 update, repeated the simple things one can do to help keep healthy:
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Update February 19, 2020
Dear Community Partner:
The following is a novel coronavirus update from Sara Cody, MD, County of Santa Clara Health Officer and Director of Public Health:
Current status of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
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Since February 18, 2020, there have been 2,000 additional cases of COVID-19. Cases continue primarily in mainland China and globally it is estimated that there are nearly 75,000 cases with about 2,000 associated deaths.
- To date there are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and California has a total of 8 cases.
- Santa Clara County remains at 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the Public Health Department is currently monitoring over 300 travelers who have returned from mainland China within the last 14 days.
- As of this week, public health officials have cleared the five health care workers from Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. These individuals never tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
- While the situation in China is unprecedented, public health departments in the US are working to prevent the spread of the disease. Measures being taken include disease surveillance, case identification and contact tracing. To support this work and other activities in response to the outbreak, the Medical Health Joint Operations Center has been and continues to be activated.
- Currently, there is not an increased risk to the residents of Santa Clara County, and the novel coronavirus is not circulating in our community. Since this is a new virus, we cannot predict how long the virus might continue to spread in mainland China or if it may spread in other locations.
What You Can Do
Practice these common infection control practices to help lessen the spread of all viruses:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Stay home if you are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Further Information
FAQs in additional languages will be posted soon.
To stay informed, visit the
Public Health Department website regularly for the latest information.
County of Santa Clara, Public Health Department
976 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose CA 95126
www.sccphd.org
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Update February 12, 2020
Dear School Partner,
See attached updated guidance for students and staff regarding novel coronavirus.
Please note that there have been reports of students and others being stigmatized. We urge schools to ensure student and staff privacy to help prevent discrimination.
Students and staff returning from mainland China arriving in the United States since February 3, 2020 should be excluded from school for 14 days, beginning the day after they left China. This is a change from previous guidance.
The Public Health Department Novel Coronavirus Widget is available! This widget is an icon that can be embedded on your school's webpage. It will connect your website visitors to the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department's Novel Coronavirus webpage.
Once you've added the widget, there's no technical maintenance. The Public Health Department will update the content automatically. The Novel Coronavirus widget is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese.
If
you have not already done so, please provide the following link: www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/ncov-widget.aspx to your IT staff. The link includes instructions on embedding the widget on your school's website page content.
Adding the Novel Coronavirus widget to your page means that your school community will have up-to-date, credible health and safety content on your webpage.
For the latest updates on Novel Coronavirus, visit: www.sccphd.org/coronavirus.
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department
2.10.20 School Guidance - English.pdf
2.10.20 School Guidance - Chinese.pdf
2.10.20 School Guidance - Spanish.pdf
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Update February 4, 2020
As a clarification to yesterday’s update, the section that instructed students & staff returning from mainland China to remain home for 14 days only applies to students & staff who returned on February 2 or later.
For students & staff who came back to the U.S. before February 2, they may wish to consider staying home for 14 days after they left mainland China, but it is not mandatory, and they should continue monitoring themselves for symptoms until the end of the 14 days.
Please note that mainland China does not include Hong Kong.
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Update February 3, 2020
February 3, 2020
Administrators:
I am writing to provide an update regarding the no vel coronavirus in our county, and to share updated guidance for students and staff who have recently traveled to China.
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department has now received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of two cases of novel coronavirus, one on Friday January 31, and the second on Sunday February 2. Both of these cases had traveled to Wuhan, China in the 14 days before they became ill. Both have been self-isolating at home. The cases are not related to each other. We are reaching out to anyone who may have been in close contact with either case to determine whether they were exposed to the novel coronavirus. All exposed close contacts are being quarantined at home and monitored for symptoms.
To date, we do not have any evidence to suggest that that novel coronavirus is circulating in Santa Clara County or the Bay Area, and public health departments are working hard to keep it that way. As we have all been communicating, the situation is evolving rapidly, and we anticipate this pace of change to continue.
One change is that a recent published report has documented asymptomatic transmission of the virus.
Asymptomatic transmission is when a person who does not yet have symptoms nevertheless spreads infections to others. How often this occurs is not known, but if asymptomatic transmission does occur, it would likely occur in the day or two before the infected individual starts showing symptoms.
This evidence of asymptomatic transmission is in part why the federal government has made the decision to formally quarantine all travelers returning to the US from Hubei province (where Wuhan city is located), China, and to ask people returning from other parts of China to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days since their last day in China.
Because of the concern of asymptomatic transmission, especially from travelers who returned from Hubei province, we are now asking schools to do the following:
1. If you have students or staff who have been in Hubei province within the last 14 days, please ask them to immediately return home and call the public health department during regular business hours (408-885-3980, M-F 8-5) so that we can provide guidance on monitoring themselves carefully for symptoms for the 14 days since their last day in China.
a. Family members of travelers who visited Hubei province within the last 14 days do not need to quarantine at home, but they should also monitor for symptoms and avoid attending large gatherings.
2. Students or staff who have been to other areas of mainland China (this excludes Hong Kong) within the last 14 days should also not come to school. They should monitor themselves for symptoms for the 14 days since their last day in China. Per federal guidance being released today, they should also call the public health department during regular business hours (408-885-3980, M-F 8-5) for further guidance.
In either case, if they become symptomatic within 14 days since their last day in China with fever (including chills or night sweats), cough, or shortness of breath, they should call a healthcare provider and let them know their travel history and symptoms.
Please do not require a physician's clearance to return to work or school for students, employees, and other staff who have returned from traveling and are not sick. We are receiving communications that this is happening, which is impacting the medical system and preventing doctors from seeing patients who are ill.
We encourage all students and staff to take common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases, including common illnesses like colds and flu:
- Encourage all students and staff to stay home when they are sick.
- Those who have a fever at school should go home immediately and stay there for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- Separate sick students and staff from others in a separate place, until they can be picked up to go home.
- Promote hand hygiene through education and availability of soap, hand sanitizers, and tissues.
- Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Encourage proper cough etiquette—cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve, or arm. Do not use your hands.
- Perform routine surface cleaning, particularly for high-touch surfaces.
- Consider not attending or hosting large gatherings. This is where cold, flu, and other respiratory viruses are often spread.
The Public Health Department has a webpage dedicated to novel coronavirus in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese at sccphd.org/coronavirus. We will keep the webpage updated as we know more. We will monitor the developing situation and inform you of any additional public health recommendations. We deeply appreciate your partnership in communicating this information to students and families. We also greatly appreciate everyone's efforts in staying informed, calm, and thoughtful as we all do our part to help keep our communities safe.
All the best,
Sara H. Cody, MD, Health Officer and Director
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department
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Update January 31, 2020
Latest documents provided by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Santa Clara County health officials Friday afternoon said that a man who resides in Santa Clara County has tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus. County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the man recently traveled to Wuhan, returned January 24 to the Mineta San Jose International Airport and then became sick after getting home.
He has been “self-isolating" at home since returning and only left to seek outpatient medical treatment on two occasions. Dr. Cody mentioned the patient has not been sick enough to require hospitalization and that county Health Officials are investigating/monitori ng health officials, airline, and home contacts.
Dr. Cody reiterated the importance of common-sens e precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases:
- If you're sick, stay home.
- Wash your hands and don't touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Recommends to get your Flu shot.
Dr. Cody emphasized that there is no evidence that the virus is spreading anywhere in the county, Bay Area or Northern California. The two other confirmed cases in California are in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, are being monitored closely.
Federal Health and Human services declared a public health emergency and announced significant entry restrictions due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Americans returning from China will be allowed into the country, but will face screening at select ports of entry and required to undertake 14 days of self-screening to ensure they don't pose a health risk. Those returning from Hubei province, the center of the outbreak, will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
View the Press Conference
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Update January 29, 2020 Message from the Health Officer
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is working closely with our local, state, and federal public health partners to closely monitor novel (new) coronavirus developments. We are preparing locally because this is a new and rapidly evolving situation. We have staffed our public health emergency operations center to coordinate our work. This includes working actively with healthcare providers, schools, and many other partners.
We know people are anxious and concerned about this new virus. Because it is so new, there is still a lot we do not know, including exactly how it is spreads, how easily it spreads, and whether people with no symptoms can spread the virus.
One thing we do not know is whether masks will protect you from this virus, mainly because there is no evidence of person-to-person spread in our community right now. Our best advice right now is you don’t need to wear a mask since there is little risk of getting the illness.
The one exception is if you are sick with respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath – wear a mask to protect others. Simple surgical masks can help prevent spreading the flu and other viruses to your family, friends, colleagues, and community.
People who have traveled to where virus is circulating should closely monitor their health for 14 days after they have returned. If you begin to get sick with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and wear a mask around others in your household. Call your healthcare provider and let them know your travel history and your symptoms.
If you have mild symptoms like a cough, runny nose, or sore throat, you do not need to go to a hospital emergency department. Please do not go to an emergency department unless your symptoms are more severe, such as having difficulty breathing.
If you are at home sick, please wear a mask and separate yourself from others to protect them from your illness. If your symptoms get worse, contact your healthcare provider again to determine what treatment may be needed.
With any virus, we know they spread easily in large groups people. If you can, avoid large gatherings, especially if you do not feel well. And if you have a fever, cough, or trouble breathing, please do not attend Super Bowl parties this weekend. Whether it’s the flu or another virus, you can help us limit the spread of many illnesses by staying home when you are sick.
Responding to outbreaks like this one is what public health departments do. It is our responsibility to take action to limit the spread of disease and protect the public's health, and we thank you for doing your part.
Dr. Sara Cody
Health Officer
County of Santa Clara
Translations hyperlinked: Chinese Spanish Vietnamese
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Update on Novel Coronavirus, January 29, 2020 from County Public Health
The County of S anta Clara Public Health Department and other local health departments, are working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to closely monitor the novel (new) coronavirus, which originated in China.
To date, there are no cases of this novel coronavirus reported in Santa Clara County.
Travel and Novel Coronavirus
The CDC has issued a Level 3 travel alert to China: People should avoid all nonessential travel to China.
FAQ
Vietnamese
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Novel Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is happening?
There has been an outbreak of new illness called "novel coronavirus". While the illness started in China, the situation is quickly changing.
What do we know about novel coronavirus?
People with the virus have been confirmed in a number of countries including the United States. Since this virus is very new, health authorities are carefully watching the situation and how this virus spreads. This situation is quickly changing, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) provide updated information as it becomes available.
What is the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department doing?
Public health officials are taking action to protect the public. The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are closely monitoring the outbreak. Public health departments, including at County of Santa Clara, are working to identify anyone who might be infected to prevent further spread of the outbreak. To date, no confirmed cases have been identified in Santa Clara County.
Is my family at risk of getting novel coronavirus?
At this time, the general public in Santa Clara County is at low risk for the new coronavirus. However, public health officials are still learning about this virus. It is important that everyone take preventative measures to help decrease the spread of the flu and other viruses that are in our community. Stay away from people who have signs of a respiratory tract infection, such as runny nose, coughing, and sneezing, and try to avoid gatherings with lots of people.
What should I do now to protect my family?
- Get your flu shot to protect against flu, which can produce symptoms similar to novel coronavirus.
- Wash your hands with liquid soap and water, rub for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, sleeve or arm. Do not use your hands.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home if you are sick with any respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and are feeling tired.
- Try staying away from large groups of people.
- CDC recommends against traveling to China.
Should we avoid going to public events?
Please remember that flu and other respiratory viruses are very common right now, and large group gatherings are places where viruses often spread. Remember, if you are not feeling well or are experiencing cold, flu or other symptoms, stay home to avoid spreading germs.
What happens if someone has traveled to China and they are now sick?
If someone who has travelled from Wuhan, China and has symptoms of respiratory illness, they should be sent home from school/work and the school should immediately contact Public Health.
What are the symptoms of novel coronavirus?
Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, cough, or shortness of breath. Some people may have pneumonia or more serious illness.
I'm sick. How do I know if it is coronavirus or something else, like flu?
If you have traveled to Wuhan, China in the 14 days before your symptoms started or have been in close contact with someone ill who has been there, please contact your doctor.
How is novel coronavirus spread? Are my children and family at risk?
It is unclear how easily or frequently this virus may spread from person to person, so it's important to practice good hygiene (e.g. cover your cough and sneeze, and wash hands, avoid touching your face). We are still learning about this new virus, but at this time the risk is low to Santa Clara County residents.
Should we cancel travel plans to Asian countries?
At this time, the CDC has issued a Level 3 warning, recommending to avoid all nonessential travel to China. Please check the CDC website for current advisories to other countries.
I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed, who can I talk to?
•Anonymous crisis line is available 24 hours, 7 days a week including holidays: 1-800-704-0900 (Mental Health Services) and/or SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline 24 hours at 1-800-985-5990
• Text TALKWITHUS to 66746 (Press 2 for Spanish).
County Pub lic Health has information about novel coronavirus for clinicians
Who can I contact if I have questions?
County Public Health have a call center available open Monday through Friday, from 8am-5pm: (408) 885-3980
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January 24, 2020 - Resources for Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
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