Post Date: 03/18/2020 1:00 PM

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2020

FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN THE CITY OF CORONA

CORONA, CA– The Riverside County Department of Public Health announced the first case of COVID-19 identified in the City of Corona. The individual is a male over seventy years old. He is not being identified due to confidentiality.

As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, the City of Corona continues to work hand-in-hand with local, state, and federal public health agencies to slow the spread of COVID-19. The City has taken several actions to protect the health and safety of the public and employees, including declaring a local emergency and closing city-owned community facilities to the public. We are urging the community to do their part to help slow the spread by taking protective measures and following local mandates.

Cooperative action can limit the rise of new COVID-19 infections and help hospitals manage increased demand for care. Following Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser’s order cancelling all gatherings with an expected presence above 10 individuals, the City of Corona has witnessed many members of the community and local businesses doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Others are urged to do the same.

Dr. Kaiser’s March 16 order limits 10 people in a space. This applies to many businesses, attractions and houses of worship. That means restaurants can’t do dine-in: you’ll have to get take-out or drive-thru. That means services at churches, synagogues and mosques go online. That means some gyms and bars won’t be able to stay open at all. Minimize your trips, buy only what you need and stay home as you can.

If no intervention occurs, it will overwhelm our hospital’s ability to take care of people. By taking protective measures, we can help flatten the curve and slow the spread so that we never go above our health care system’s capacity to care for people. Protective measure include personal hygiene and safety measures, social distancing, and keeping surfaces clean.

Residents of Corona are encouraged to continue to take precautions to help keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19. There are simple actions that can help prevent the spread of the disease:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available;

• Do not touch your face with unclean hands;

• Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick;

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or into your elbow if a tissue is not available

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

“This moment reminds us that we are more connected than ever,” said Mayor Jim Steiner. “It’s important for us to be conscientious of those around us. By following health agency guidelines, protecting ourselves and each other, avoiding large gatherings, washing our hands throughout the day, and staying home if we do not feel well, we will each do our part to slow the progression of COVID-19.”

For more information, FAQs, and updates on COVID-19 in Riverside County, please visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus or call 2-1-1.

The City of Corona has also created a webpage to keep the community apprised of local actions. Residents can access the webpage at www.CoronaCA.gov/COVID-19.

About the City of Corona: Corona is located adjacent to Orange County California at the junction of the 91 and 15 freeways with a population of more than 160,000 residents. For more information regarding the City of Corona visit www.CoronaCA.gov.

Media Contact

Cindy Solis

Community Information Specialist, City of Corona

951-739-4948

Cindy.Solis@CoronaCA.gov

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