General Contact Number: (530) 621-5567

Health and Human Services

About Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)



What is COVID-19:

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms (add link to CDC) but some people can become severely ill. Most people who become ill from coronaviruses that circulate in the U.S. recover on their own. Some people, particularly those with underlying medical conditions may require more intensive medical care.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • The best ways to protect yourself and others from any virus, including seasonal flu and coronaviruses, are:

    • Get Vaccinated (link to our updated vaccine info)
    • Wear a mask
      • Those not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older should wear a mask in indoor public places
      • In general, masks are not needed in outdoor settings
      • For more information (link to either CDC or CDPH)
    • Stay 6 feet away from others
    • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
    • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
    • Monitor your health daily
    • Stay home from work or school if you're sick and contact your primary care provider if you have questions
      • COVID-19 testing options (link to our testing information)
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes
    • If you work in an office, you can post this flyer (English Spanish) as a good prevention reminder for everyone

What is El Dorado County Doing for its Residents:

Since February 2020, El Dorado County Public Health and agency partners have actively monitored reports about COVID-19, and have taken steps to respond to cases identified in the county. Public Health and partners participate in a variety of statewide conference calls, receiving updates and guidance from CDPH; share guidance and resources with healthcare providers, other County agencies and organizations; review emergency preparedness plans and coordinate with neighboring counties by participating in regional meetings to ensure a coordinated response. 

Local partners include the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Emergency Services, Emergency Preparedness and Response, local hospitals and health care facilities, schools and others. 

Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID):

Some people have new, returning, or lingering symptoms weeks to months after having COVID-19. This condition can be called many names including post-COVID conditions, long COVID, long haul COVID, and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). People with these conditions are sometimes called “long-haulers.” Since July 2021, post-COVID conditions have been considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


  • What are post-COVID conditions?


Post-COVID conditions are a range of new, returning, or lingering symptoms that usually happen weeks to months after having COVID-19. While most people with COVID-19 recover in a few days or weeks, some people may experience ongoing symptoms, commonly known as long COVID.


People may experience one or a combination of symptoms in different parts of the body, such as the lungs, heart, nerves, and brain.  Post-COVID symptoms may go away on their own, but people should see a healthcare provider if their symptoms are not going away.  


Adults and children of any age can have post-COVID conditions, including people who had COVID-19 with mild or no symptoms. 


People with post-COVID conditions no longer have the live or infectious coronavirus in their body, usually test negative for COVID-19, and are not contagious anymore. 


  • What are the symptoms of post-COVID conditions?

Common symptoms may include any combination of*: 

  • Tiredness or fatigue 

  • Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities (also known as post-exertional malaise) 

  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as "brain fog") 

  • Stomach pain 

  • Headache 

  • Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations) 

  • Muscle pain 

  • Pins-and-needles feeling 

  • Diarrhea 

  • Sleep problems 

  • Cough 

  • Fever 

  • Dizziness on standing (lightheadedness) 

  • Rash 

  • Mood changes 

  • Change in smell or taste 

  • Changes in menstrual period cycles 

*Symptoms are not limited to this list; many other symptoms have been reported.


  • What causes post-COVID conditions?

The cause(s) of post-COVID conditions is still unknown. Research is ongoing to understand what causes post-COVID conditions. Existing studies suggest that there are various viral factors, immune system responses, and risk factors that may lead to post-Covid conditions. There is some evidence that some people with long COVID may have conditions similar to Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)


  • When should people seek care for post-COVID conditions?

​Seek medical care for post-COVID conditions if you have a fever over 100.4 F, if you cannot take care of your symptoms at home, and/or if you are not recovering from your initial COVID-19 illness. In general, it's important to talk to a medical provider when your symptoms make your daily life harder, for example, if you can't focus, sleep, or do your normal activities. Since many symptoms of post-COVID conditions are like symptoms of other diseases, it is also important to see a medical provider to rule out other illnesses.  


  • How can I prevent post-COVID conditions?

The best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is to prevent COVID-19 infection in the first place. You can prevent COVID-19 by: 

  • Getting vaccinated & boosted. There is evidence that vaccinated people who get COVID-19 have a lower chance of getting post-COVID conditions. 

  • Wearing face masks. Read our face coverings Q&A

  • Staying home and getting tested if you're sick, even if you're fully vaccinated. Read our testing fact sheet (PDF). 

  • Ventilating indoor spaces and socializing outdoors when possible. Read our ventilation fact sheet (PDF). 

  • Sign Up for CA Notify, California's COVID-19 smartphone exposure notification system so that you can take appropriate actions if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. 


Learn more about protecting yourself and your family from COVID-19 (PDF).


Anyone who had COVID-19 can develop a post-COVID condition, including people who had COVID-19 with no symptoms or very mild symptoms. People in any age group can develop post-COVID conditions, but they appear to be less common in children compared to adults. There is still a lot we do not know about post-COVID conditions, and this is an area of active research. 


For Resources for People with Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID), refer to the CA Department of Public Health flyer


Currently, El Dorado County Public Health has two teams of investigators who are assisting us in our Recovery & Vaccine Outreach. The outreach is to help identify individuals in our Community who are still recovering from a post-COVID condition and need to still receive a dose of the COVID Vaccine. 


Our purpose is to reach out to patients who were never reached during the last winter surge of 2021. If they are identified as still having a post-COVID condition, we provide recommendations as well as connecting them with any resources they may still need. If we identify patients who are not or partially vaccinated, the Teams will provide education and resources on current vaccines available. 


Community members may see a call from CA COVID Team (916) 262-7553, months after having COVID. We encourage the Community to answer if they are called.


Testing:

Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. El Dorado County has two State sponsored community sites available for residents wanting to be tested. For more information click here 

Contact Tracing:

Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by

  • Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
  • Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested
  • Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19

Managing Anxiety and Stress:

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Some people may be fearful or anxious about COVID-19. Taking care of yourself, your friends and family can help you cope. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. These things can help you support yourself:

  • Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. Repeatedly hearing about COVID-19 can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row

 For additional self-care tips, visit the CDC's website

COVID-19 and Pets/Animals 

The virus can also affect animals. See more information from the CDC about PetsAnimals and Service & Therapy animals.