Full Notification

This afternoon, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin proclaimed the existence of a local emergency whereby conditions exist that could introduce the COVID-19 into Lake County.

Currently there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the counties surrounding Lake County, including both the Counties of Humboldt and Sonoma.

Currently there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Lake County as of the signing of this declaration, however the World Health Organization on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The prevalence of confirmed cases in surrounding counties combined with the worldwide-uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 indicate there is an imminent and proximate threat to public health from the introduction of COVID-19 in Lake County.

This declaration enables the County to more effectively respond to an imminent outbreak, seek and utilize mutual aid, potentially obtain reimbursement. Sheriff Martin will be asking the Lake County Board of Supervisors to ratify this proclamation at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday March 17, 2020.

The local Public Health official, Dr. Gary Pace proclaimed a local health emergency on March 10, 2020 and the Lake County Board of Supervisors ratified that proclamation that same day.

WHEREAS, Section 6-5 of the Lake County Code empowers the Director of Emergency Services to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when Lake County is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity and the County Board of Supervisors is not in session, and;

WHEREAS, the Sheriff, as Director of Emergency Services of Lake County does hereby find; that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within the County of Lake, caused by the potential introduction of COVID-19 in Lake County is an imminent threat to the public health within the meaning of Health & Safety Code section 101080, resulting in the possible exposure and other serious damage to the County. On March 8, 2020, there were four hundred and twenty three (423) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nineteen (19) confirmed fatalities in the United States, as well as over one hundred and nine thousand (109,578) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three thousand eight hundred and nine (3809) fatalities worldwide, and;

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 tests used in the U.S. currently have very limited availability based on current CDC criteria, and;

WHEREAS, there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the counties surrounding Lake County, including both the Counties of Humboldt and Sonoma, and;

WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020 California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to help the State prepare for, and respond to COVID-19, and;

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020 the Lake County Public Health Officer proclaimed a local health emergency and the Board of Supervisors ratified said Proclamation, and;

WHEREAS, while there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Lake County as of the signing of this declaration, however the World Health Organization on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

WHEREAS, the prevalence of confirmed cases in surrounding counties combined with the worldwide-uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 indicate there is an imminent and proximate threat to public health from the introduction of COVID-19 in Lake County.

WHEREAS, this declaration enables the County to more effectively respond to an imminent outbreak, seek and utilize mutual aid, potentially obtain reimbursement. That these conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment , and facilities of Lake County, and; that the County Board of Supervisors of the County of Lake is not in session and cannot immediately be called into session;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency now exists throughout Lake County, and;

IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of Lake County shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of the County; and that this emergency proclamation shall expire 7 days after issuance unless confirmed and ratified by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, and;

IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that said local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist until its termination is proclaimed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors.