Covid-19
(From Press Release – Yolo County) – Yolo County is announcing an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) at a nursing home. At this time, there are 35 confirmed cases (23 residents and 12 staff) and 1 resident death at the facility, although COVID-19 testing is still ongoing for all facility staff and residents. Not all the confirmed cases are Yolo County residents.
The nursing facility is working closely with Yolo County staff and emergency responders and have received additional support and resources. All positive cases have been isolated and staff and residents are being appropriately monitored. Residents and their families have been notified of the outbreak. To protect patient privacy, the name and location of the nursing home are not being 
provided. It is important that everyone continues to stay at home and practice public health measures to protect the health of their loved ones and community.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about another COVID-19 death and an outbreak in a nursing home,” said Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman. “Nursing homes are at very high risk for COVID-19 outbreaks. In most nursing home outbreaks, the virus is introduced from visitors and staff. Unfortunately, this means that people need to stay at home and not visit their loved ones. In Yolo County, prior to starting a work shift, all nursing home staff are required to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and have their temperatures taken to prevent viral spread.”
To date Yolo County has 93 confirmed cases and 3 deaths from COVID-19. In response to the increasing transmission of COVID-19 in the community, Yolo County issued a countywide health order on March 18 for residents to shelter in place that was extended through May 1.
“Our hearts go out to the patients and their families during this difficult time,” said Yolo County Board Chair Gary Sandy. “The response to this crisis has been extraordinary. From healthcare workers to local restaurants, the outpouring of care and concern is heartening and encouraging. Our strength and resiliency as a community is making a huge difference in battling the further spread of this virus. Everyone can make a difference.”
Residents are encouraged to continue to follow guidance from public officials to prevent the spread of illness. These measures include:
- Staying home if you are sick.
- Following the health order to shelter in place.
- Practicing social distancing.
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cleaning all “High-Touch” surfaces every day, following use instructions on the label.
At today’s Board of Supervisors meeting the issue arose of maintaining the medical privacy of those directly affected with the community right to transparency. This has been an ongoing source of concern since the beginning of the outbreak. I would like to again reiterate the need to balance HIPAA privacy regulations (legal) with the community’s need for information for purposes of safety, not just curiosity. One valid point made was that the location information is frequently found out through private channels and distributed via the press as happened in the case of the Kirkland Washington outbreak. However, this maintenance of privacy can also lead to false rumors distributed widely through social media. Personally, I feel that Yolo County is striking an appropriate balance in accordance with current law, however frustrating this may be to those seeking information for legitimate purposes, such as knowing if the skilled nursing facility housing a loved one is involved, a determination best made by calling the facility of concern and inquiring directly rather than through county publication.
Since there are only a handful of nursing homes in the county, it wouldn’t take much work to figure it out.
Was not HIPAA brought about because of privacy regarding AIDS in the 1980’s? Could not the provisions of HIPAA be revisited in light of the current situations?