Yolo County Reports First Confirmed Coronavirus Case, Declares Local Emergency

Yolo County confirmed Friday its first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

According to Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, the patient is an older female with underlying health conditions who acquired the disease through community transmission. Officials say she is currently hospitalized but her condition is improving. 

The county is also issuing a local health emergency and local emergency to gain access to state or federal funding.

“Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world, I am not surprised that the virus is in our county,” Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman wrote in a statement. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation driving fear in our communities.  We will continue to provide COVID-19 education, support, and advice to the community while using appropriate measures to protect the public’s health.”

The call comes in the same week California announced its first death from COVID-19, a Placer County resident. Earlier this week, nearby Sacramento and Placer counties declared local health emergencies, in addition to Gov. Gavin Newsom declaring a state emergency.

A student at UC Davis in Yolo County was tested for the disease last month and their two roommates were isolated. The student's test came back negative. The person with the first case of COVID-19 attributed to community transmission is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.