Fourth of July Reminder: Coronavirus is Still Prevalent
OXNARD – June 30, 2020 – As we near the Fourth of July holiday, St. John's Hospitals want to remind our community how to stay safe and protected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises individuals to minimize exposure and the spread of coronavirus as communities begin to hold events.
While we may be growing tired of the disruption coronavirus has on our daily lives, the COVID-19 pandemic is not behind us, and we urge community members to continue to make their health and safety a priority. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and spreading the virus to others.
We are prepared and ready to provide for the health and safety of our patients, and want to remind our community members to take the proper steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. The only successful remedy for slowing the spread of the virus is by taking appropriate precautions. We urge community members to continue to make their health and safety a priority by:
- Wearing a face covering when outside your home and coming into contact with others.
- Keeping a distance of six feet between you and others outside your home.
- Washing your hands often.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Staying home when you are sick.
“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our communities, we are calling on individuals to follow the guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC, and county public health departments,” says Dignity Health Central Coast Chief Medical Officer, Scott Robertson, MD. “While they are simple steps that community members can take, they are life-saving and are proved to minimize exposure to the virus. During holiday weekends such as Independence Day, we are asking people to follow these precautionary measures.”
The CDC states that the risk of spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:
- Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.
- More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area.
- Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
- Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.
Dignity Health St. John's Hospitals have taken extensive measures to ensure the continued safety of our patients and staff, and if we all do our part to stay safe, together we can make an impact on reducing COVID-19 cases in our community.
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About Dignity Health St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John's Regional Medical Center
St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety, and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet our communities' growing health care needs. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/pleasantvalley and dignityhealth.org/stjohnsregional.
Publish date:
Tuesday, June 30, 2020