Mono County Encourages Using Proven Public Health Protocols as Summer Event Season Approaches

May 19, 2022 – Following an uptick in positive COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases, and an anticipated influx of visitors, the Mono County Health Department is encouraging event planners and event attendees to employ proven public health protocols while enjoying indoor and outdoor events this summer.

“Our community has made great strides in the fight against COVID-19, and as we flex for the summer season, we simply ask residents and visitors to remain vigilant and consider using mitigating practices that have proven to reduce spread of infection,” said Dr. Caryn Slack, MD, MPH, Mono County Health Officer.

Actions to consider prior to attending and during an event:

  • Avoid attending if you feel sick.
  • Test yourself prior to attending, and again following the event.
  • Wear a face covering.
  • Practice proper hygiene, including washing your hands properly and/or using hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid shaking hands, body contact, etc.
  • Maintain your distance from others.

Following an event, or if you have come in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, the Mono County Health Department urges symptomatic residents and visitors to test, and then report their results via the “At Home COVID-19 Reporting Portal.”  Asymptomatic residents and visitors who have attended large events are encouraged to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and test accordingly.

Last month, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its “Safe and SMART Events Playbook” providing best practices and recommendations for event operators to produce safe and smart live events.  The CDPH encourages event operators to remember the following:

  • Outdoors is lower risk.  Indoor gatherings are higher risk.  If food is being served, consider serving outdoors, especially since masks can’t be worn while eating or drinking.
  • Events where attendees are vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry are always safest.  Events that have persons whose vaccine or testing status is unknown are higher risk.
  • Train all vendors and staff working the event on protective measures and protocols in place, including how to properly wear well-fitting masks with good filtration.
  • Encourage all persons (staff and attendees), to monitor their own health and stay home if sick or have symptoms.

The CDPH’s Safe and SMART Events Playbook can be accessed here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVI....

Providing antigen testing at large indoor events prior to entrance is also highly recommended. 

“Testing and isolating remain the best defense against community spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Slack.  “With the uptick in local cases, as well as the new variants identified globally and in the United States, it’s important that we capture local data and continue to be vigilant about containing spread whenever possible.”

The At Home COVID-19 Reporting Portal can be accessed here: https://my.primary.health/l/monocounty.

COVID-19 TESTING

Both OptumServe and Mono County Public Health provide free COVID-19 testing clinics in Mono County (pending weather-related issues). In addition, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order three (3) sets of at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests from the federal government at no charge.  The tests are completely free, and orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.  The tests can be accessed here: https://www.covid.gov/tests.

About the tests:

  • The at-home tests are rapid antigen tests, not PCR
  • Can be taken anywhere
  • Results in 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
  • The tests will work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms
  • The tests will work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines

When to test:

  • If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
  • At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
  • When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines

Mono County Public Health offers testing in other locations throughout the county at various times throughout the week.  While both OptumServe and Mono County Public Health accept walk-ins at their COVID-19 testing clinics, pre-registration is strongly encouraged as walk-ins will only be accommodated pending resource availability.

The COVID-19 testing schedule can be accessed here: https://coronavirus.monocounty.ca.gov/pages/health.

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