South San Francisco CA March 6, 2020 Submitted by Robert Riechel Reports
March 5, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. For Immediate Release:
Temporary Closure of San Bruno Senior Center
San Bruno Officials Take COVID-19 Precautions
This afternoon, the City of San Bruno became aware of a possible COVID-19 exposure at the San Bruno Senior Center. As has been previously reported, a Grand Princess Cruise Ship is currently docked off the coast of San Francisco due to confirmed COVID-19 cases and one confirmed COVID-19 death. Three individuals who were passengers on that Grand Princess Cruise Ship from February 11-21, visited the Senior Center over the past few weeks and assisted in the lunch program. One of these people reported low-level cold symptoms yesterday, which have since subsided. The other two people have not reported any symptoms at this time. All three people have been contacted by health officials and advised to self-quarantine.
In collaboration with the San Mateo County Health Department and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily close the San Bruno Senior Center, located at 1555 Crystal Springs Road. At this time, we plan to reopen the Senior Center on Tuesday March 10, 2020.
It is important to note that the City is not aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in San Bruno at this time and we are working closely with county and state officials to further investigate any potential connections between the passengers on the Grand Princess and individuals who may have visited the Senior Center.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the immediate risk to the public within the United States for contracting the virus remains low. However, the CDC and County health officials suggest that communities prepare for the possibility that more confirmed cases will be identified.
Below are a few prevention tips from the CDC:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and certainly if your commute includes public transit.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
If you or your immediate family members are not feeling well or show any signs of a common cold or flu, it is recommended that you stay home and contact a physician.
San Mateo County has established a COVID-19 Public Call Center to assist the public with nonmedical questions related to this ongoing concern. The hotline is open from 7am to 7pm and the number is (650) 363-4422. The Call Center can accommodate non-English speaking callers as well.
If you are interested in learning more about COVID-19, the following CDC website is a good resource. It contains information on how the virus spreads, symptoms, prevention tips, and FAQs. There is also an area to sign-up for COVID-19 updates from the CDC in the bottom left corner. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about.
We would like to echo the comments of the CDC in encouraging us all to remain calm and engage in the basic preventive measures listed above.