211 is compiling up-to-date COVID-19 resources.
News & Updates
3/18/20: Healthcare professionals are needed as volunteers to assist in the fight against COVID-19
If you are a healthcare provider with an active license, a public health professional, or a member of a medical disaster response team in California who would like to volunteer for disaster service, please register at the
Disaster Healthcare Volunteers Site. Here you’ll find the online registration system for medical and healthcare volunteers.
3/18/20: Gold Country Stage and Gold Country LIFT offer free fares
To make transit easily accessible to those who need it, Nevada County Transit is offering fare free service on both Gold Country Stage fixed route and Gold Country Lift paratransit services effective March 19, 2020 through April 30, 2020. Read more.
3/18/20: Accessing Nevada County Behavioral Health Services
Nevada County Behavioral Health Director Phebe Bell shared the following information:
Our primary goal is to keep our clients, staff and community healthy and safe while also ensuring that access to critical services can continue. To that end, we want to share with you the best ways for people to access our services:
- As of 3/19, all of our lobbies will be closed to the public. People will only be allowed in by appointment (after they have been screened for symptoms of illness).
- Almost all services will continue, but will primarily move to phone and video. This includes ongoing psychiatry appointments, medication management, therapy appointments, and some case management. We recognize some people do not have access to phones or other technology and will handle these situations on an individual basis.
- We are still open to new clients. As always, clients can call our Access line at 530-265-1437 for Adult Services and 530-470-2736 for Children’s Services. Callers will be connected to a clinician who will screen them and complete an assessment through phone or video and connect them to any needed ongoing services. Individuals may be brought into our offices on an appointment basis for necessary paperwork, medical screenings, or other needs.
- Substance Use Disorder assessments for residential treatment will also happen by phone or video. Drop-in clinic hours of 9-12, Monday-Friday are now available by phone call. Please call 530-265-1437 and a clinician will provide an assessment and possible authorization for treatment by phone or video.
- All crisis assessments will continue as usual, as will related crisis services such as the Crisis Stabilization Unit, hospitalizations, and discharge planning. Our Crisis Line is always available 24 hours per day at 530-265-5811.
3/18/20: Primary Care Providers Accepting new patients
The following providers ARE accepting new patients:
Dr. Bouchier’s Office, 477-7390
Accepts Anthem Blue Cross Medicaid (ABC), MediMedi, Medicare, PPO/HMO
Does NOT accept CA Health & Wellness (CHW) or straight MediCal
Dr. Gill’s Office, 273-8452
Accepts Medicare, Medi Medi, PPO, HMO, Anthem Blue Cross Medicaid (ABC)
Does NOT accept CA Health & Wellness (CHW) or straight MediCal
Sierra Care Physicians, 272-9770
Accepts Anthem Blue Cross Medicaid (ABC), PPO, HMO, Medicare
Does NOT accept Western Health Advantage
Sierra Care Pediatrics, 272-9780
Accepts Anthem Blue Cross Medicaid (ABC), PPO, HMO, Medicare
Does NOT accept Western Health Advantage
Dr. Wallace & Dr. Lucas Ross, 477-4455
Accept PPO, HMO, Medicare, MediMedi
Does NOT accept CA Health & Wellness (CHW), Anthem Blue Cross Medicaid (ABC), or straight MediCal
Stallant Health (in Weimar), 637-4025
Accept EVERYTHING! (They have medical, dental, chiropractic)
3/18/20: County of Nevada, City of Grass Valley and City of Nevada City Limit Public Counter Services and Temporarily Close Buildings Starting March 19th
The County, City of Grass Valley and City of Nevada City continue to jointly respond to coronavirus and COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, by implementing social distancing protocols. Coronavirus continues to be an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. We thank our community partners who are making all efforts to help protect the community, from practicing social distancing to following the state and federal guidelines for gatherings. By following the best practices our community can help flatten the bell curve of those possibly contracting COVID-19, help guard against our local health care systems becoming overwhelmed, and protect those most vulnerable to coronavirus in our community. Read more.
3/17/20: Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Now at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital will begin drive-through Covid-19 testing from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday (3/17 & 3/18).
If you are symptomatic and meet criteria for testing, Nevada County residents should call their primary care doctor. If the doctor agrees that an individual needs to be tested, the doctor can fax an order to the hospital.
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital will call the patient to set up an appointment drive-through time. Please do not attempt to go to the testing drive-through without a previously set-up appointment.
3/16/20: Nevada County Public Health Reports First Confirmed Case of COVID-19
The CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual. Read more.
The news conference included the following:
Directives for Bars and Restaurants
- Bars/brew pubs/wine bars/pubs: Closure.
- Restaurants: reduce occupancy by approximately 50%. Maintain social distancing for those at the restaurant, specifically the 6’ distancing guidance.
- Restaurants may want to consider food deliveries in lieu of onsite dining.
Directives for Individuals who are 65+
- The governor’s guidance is that people 65+ should self-isolate starting immediately.
- Self-isolation means staying inside your home as much as possible.
- Do not leave home unless necessary, such as to seek medical care.
- As much as possible, limit your contact with other people.
- You should avoid having visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food and supplies.
- Where possible, contact a friend, family member or delivery services to carry out errands like supermarket shopping on your behalf.
At this time, the restrictions included in these directives will not be enforced by law enforcement or others. The Governor is asking for these restrictions to be socially, voluntarily adopted.
3/15/20: All Nevada County Libraries Temporarily Closed through April 12, 2020
Beginning March 16th, all Nevada County Library locations will be closed to the public through April 12th in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus in our community. Various programs are being developed into virtual formats to be accessed from home. Learn more.
3/14/20: Homeless Plan and Fact Sheet for Community Service Providers
The County of Nevada has created a website with a Homeless Plan and Fact Sheet for community service providers. The plan follows guidance from local, State, and Federal resources. View the Plan and Fact Sheet.
3/14/20: The Bear River Library is closed until April 13, 2020.
All other Nevada County Library locations will remain open. However, as a precautionary measure all special programming will be canceled until April 13, 2020. Learn more.
The Nevada County Public Health Department (NCPHD) is offering this resource to provide general information about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 (the illness caused by the virus), recommend strategies for employers to use to prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including novel coronavirus, and to guide the management of employees who have recently returned to Nevada County from an area with known transmission of the novel coronavirus or who have had a known exposure to a laboratory confirmed case. This guidance is based on directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who are charged with the management of the response to the novel coronavirus across the UnitedStates. Read the full document.
3/13/20: Nevada County Superintendent of Schools announces transition to distance learning.
Nevada County public schools will implement processes to transition all in person/face-to-face instruction to “distance learning,” This directive is effective as of Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. and will run until Monday, April 13 (pending further notifications).
The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District announced it will close its schools, effective March 16 through April 3, following Placer County Public Health announcing the closure of all county schools due to concerns over coronavirus. Read more.
3/12/20: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Releases Guidance on Gatherings
“To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, gatherings as described below should be postponed or canceled across the state of California for at least the remainder of the month of March.
The California Department of Public Health finds the following:
- Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled.
- This includes gatherings such as concerts, conferences, and professional, college, and school sporting events.
- Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled.
- This includes gatherings in crowded auditoriums, rooms or other venues.
- Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people.
- This includes gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions.
- A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.”
Read the full document here.
3/11/20: Nevada County has had ten persons under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus, nine of whom have tested negative for COVID-19. The one that is currently under investigation for COVID-19 is being tested, and there are still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nevada County.
Listen to KVMR’s interview with Nevada County Public Health Nursing Director Cindy Wilson and County staff discussing how we can all help slow the spread and how local agencies are responding. The interview starts at approximately the 8-minute mark. (Recorded on Friday, March 6, 2020)
Update 3/6/20: Placer County Public Health confirms 3 new COVID-19 cases.
Update 3/6/2020: Governor Newsom, State Health Officials Announce More than 22 Million Californians Now Eligible for Free Medically Necessary COVID-19 Testing.
Update 3/4/2020: Nevada County Declares Local Health Emergency to Increase Coronavirus Response Resources
Nevada County is declaring a local health emergency and local emergency in response to the emerging, rapidly evolving situation and increasing spread of novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. There are no known cases of coronavirus in Nevada County currently.
“Nevada County Public Health has ramped up preparedness activities as we’ve seen COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, spread in California, and diagnosed most recently in Placer County,” said Jill Blake, Nevada County Public Health Director. “These declarations enhance Nevada County’s ability to proactively respond to local needs if or when a confirmed coronavirus case happens in Nevada County.”
The emergency declarations allow the County access to additional resources such as mutual aid, financial reimbursement and increased coordination with state and local partners. The local and health emergencies will be considered for ratification by the Board of Supervisors at their March 10th meeting next week.
“In addition to increasing our resources with emergency declarations, our Emergency Preparedness Program has been reaching out to their health care coalition partners, such as skilled nursing and residential care facilities, daily if not more frequently,” added Jill Blake. “We are making sure our community partners have the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus and are thinking about their Personal Protective Equipment resources and preparedness plans.”
Following the recent death of an elderly adult who contracted coronavirus in Placer County, Nevada County encourages the community to prepare for the possibility of local, sustained community transmission.
“We know that being elderly and having underlying health conditions greatly increases the risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 and of dying from this illness, whereas healthy, younger populations might only experience mild flu-like symptoms,” continues Jill Blake. “Like Placer, we are encouraging our residents that are healthy and not at a higher risk to reach out to those more vulnerable and help them plan for the possibility of transmission of coronavirus in Nevada County. We are calling on all our community partners, from our in-home care facilities to those who have elderly neighbors, to help slow the spread and think through their own preparedness plans.”
The community can help slow the spread of coronavirus by:
- Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
- Coughing into a tissue or your elbow if a tissue isn’t available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth especially with unwashed hands.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. Nevada County Environmental Health has created recommendations for homes with known or suspected coronavirus infections (PDF).
- Keeping your distance from people who are sick, especially if they have a respiratory virus. If you think you are exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and have been exposed to the coronavirus, call your local health care provider. Contacting them in advance will make sure that people can get the care they need without putting others at risk.
Since there are no diagnosed local cases currently in Nevada County, now is a great time to prepare for an actual event. Public Health is asking the community to consider how they might adjust if daily routines are disrupted by an outbreak:
- Can you work from home/remotely?
- What are your transportation plans if public transportation is disrupted?
- If schools are closed, do you have an alternate plan for childcare?
- Do you have enough food, medications and other necessities to sustain you and your family if you needed to stay home?
Find local coronavirus resources and updates at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus. Public Health has activated Connecting Point’s Call Center to answer community questions. Connecting Point can provide callers up-to-date information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and connect residents to other resources. Dial 2-1-1 or 833-DIAL211 (833-342-5211) to talk with a call center representative. Residents are also able to subscribe to receive related media releases at www.mynevadacounty.com/stayinformed by following the subscription directions to subscribe for “Public Health – Coronavirus” under the News Flash category.
Update 3/4/2020: Patient With COVID-19 Has Died, Placer County Says
Placer County Public Health is reporting that a resident has died of COVID-19. The person, an elderly adult with underlying health conditions, was the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county and is now the first to die from the illness in California.

Update 3/1/20: Still No Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus in Nevada County
There are no known cases of coronavirus in Nevada County currently. However, with nearby confirmed cases in Solano County there continue to be rumors about the possibility of local cases in Nevada County. We want to assure our Nevada County community that there are no confirmed cases currently and local health care providers are partnering closely with Nevada County Public Health to be able to quickly respond if a possible coronavirus case were to happen here. Nevada County Public Health will inform the public if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus in Nevada County.
In the meantime, it is highly encouraged for the community to prepare for the possibility of coronavirus transmission in Nevada County. The best way to help to slow the spread of germs is to:
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water (pro tip: sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself to make sure you are washing long enough).
- Cough into a tissue or your elbow if a tissue isn’t available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth especially with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Nevada County Environmental Health has created recommendations for homes with known or suspected coronavirus infections (PDF).
- Keep your distance from people who are sick, especially if they have a respiratory virus. If you think you are exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and have been exposed to the coronavirus, call your local health care provider. Contacting them in advance will ensure that you can get the care you need without putting others at risk.
To help keep the public informed, Public Health is working continually to update the www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus website with new information, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
UPDATED FAQS
I am exhibiting symptoms like one would have with COVID019 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and may have been exposed. What should I do?
If a person develops symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough or shortness of breath, and has reason to believe they may have been exposed, they should call their health care provider before seeking care. Contacting them in advance will ensure that you can get the care you need without putting others at risk. Please be sure to tell your health care provider about your travel history. You can also take the following precautionary measures:
Nevada County Environmental Health has created recommendations for homes with known or suspected coronavirus infections (PDF).
Who do I contact if I don’t have a primary care physician or regular health care provider?
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) like Western Sierra Medical Clinic (in Grass Valley and Kings Beach), Sierra Family Medical, and Chapa De Indian Health can be called if you do not have a primary care physician or regular health care provider. Remember that if you feel you have been exposed or are exhibiting symptoms, contacting them in advance will ensure that you can get the care you need without putting others at risk.
How does the coronavirus test work?
The California Department of Public Health announced on February 28, 2020 that new CDC test kits used to detect Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are now available in California can be used to do diagnostic testing in the community. California will immediately receive an additional shipment of kits to test up to 1,200 people. This means California public health officials will get test results sooner, so that any patients will get the best care (source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx).
How do I get tested for coronavirus?
If you think you are exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and have been exposed to the coronavirus, call your local health care provider. If your health care provider has reason to believe a test is needed, they will work with Nevada County Public Health (or your local public health department) about providing testing through the California Department of Public Health or the CDC.
I don’t have any symptoms, but I think I may have been exposed to coronavirus. What should I do?
If you have recently traveled to an area under travel advisory or have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19, first contact your local health care provider. You can also let Nevada County Public Health (or your local health department) know by emailing public.health@co.nevada.ca.us.
Are there medications I should keep on hand?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended to treat this specific illness at this time. Appropriate care for those diagnosed with COVID-19 will depend on the severity of symptoms and will include steps to relieve those symptoms. Make sure you are taking care of yourself by drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest. Like with other respiratory illnesses, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers may help with symptoms and could be good to keep on-hand.
For More Information
Nevada County Public Health has activated Connecting Point’s Call Center to answer community questions. Connecting Point can provide callers up-to-date information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and connect residents to other resources. Dial 2-1-1 or 833-DIAL211 (833-342-5211) to talk with a call center representative.
Residents are also able to subscribe to receive related media releases at www.mynevadacounty.com/stayinformed by following the subscription directions to subscribe for “Public Health – Coronavirus” under the News Flash category.
The Nevada County Public Health Department continues to work closely with County departments such as the Office of Emergency Services and Environmental Health, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to closely monitor the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 (the illness caused by the virus), which originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. This includes preparing with the community for the possibility of local, sustained community transmission.
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Please look to sources such as Nevada County Public Health, CDPH, and the CDC for the most accurate information. Nevada County Public Health will provide local, updated information as it becomes available at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus. Residents, businesses and local agencies can find recommendations on how they can help slow the spread of illness like COVID-19 and how we can all prepare for the possibility of local transmission in our community.