Mono County COVID-19 News and Updates: April 1
Mono County reports first COVID-19 death; Mammoth resident talks about experience with the coronavirus; Dr. Burrows on altitude and lung…
Mono County reports first COVID-19 death; Mammoth resident talks about experience with the coronavirus; Dr. Burrows on altitude and lung infection
By Monica Prelle
Mono County Public Health confirmed the first death in the county attributed to COVID-19 on Tuesday. The name of the deceased will not be published out of respect for the family. He was a Mammoth resident in his mid-60s, had underlying health conditions, and was transfer to another hospital in critical condition.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the patient’s family and loved ones during this time of loss,” said Mammoth Hospital CEO Tom Parker said in a statement. “This loss is deeply felt by our entire community.”
An outpouring of love and support for the man’s family was evident on social media yesterday. Anyone who needs someone to talk to can call (760) 924–1740 for support. English and Spanish speaking counselors are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s Secretary of Human Health, today reminded Californians that the most important thing we can do right now is stay home to save lives.
“We have a brand new virus to the globe,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We’ve been watching it and tracking it over weeks and months now, and we know that we don’t have treatment, we don’t have treatment at scale, we don’t have a vaccine.”
The state continues to monitor data and is continuously working to procure protective equipment to address hospital surge capacity. He pointed out that models are highly variable, but the latest University of Washington Health Data projections predict California hospitals will reach peak resources April 28.
“We could cross this surge line sooner, and we need to do everything in our power to ensure that we keep this line as flat as we can and continue to support our communities in that effort,” Dr. Ghaly said.
Last week, Mono County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Boo issued a statement with his concerns of increasing cases. Four critically ill patients within a week is alarming, he said. If things get worse in Mono County and the hospital feels the pressure on capacity, the community can expect even stricter orders to close all businesses and residents to curtail their activity.
The latest group of tests from Mammoth Hospital returned within four days, according to Mammoth resident Allison McDonell Page, who got her result back sooner than expected. The positive was unsurprising though, she said.
“What is wrong with me, why am I going crazy?” she had wondered. “I knew something was wrong with my energy level. I run and have a lot of energy, and I didn’t have any. At some point my smell went.”
McDonell Page, 49, who is a real estate agent at Snowcreek Properties, woke up with a fever on Thursday, March 19 and immediately isolated herself in her home. She and her family had already been on self-imposed stay-at-home orders starting on March 14. She suspects she was exposed to the virus sometime between March 5 and 14.
McDonell Page said the symptoms fluctuated, but what was most concerning was a constant feeling of wooziness, or vertigo, something she had never experienced before and had a hard time describing. She eventually went to the hospital on Wednesday, March 25, because of shortness of breath, feeling like she was going to faint, and worried about getting enough oxygen.
“Our hospital is awesome,” she said. “It is good to know we have great doctors, but it’s all about the numbers. We all need to do everything we can to not get sick, so we don’t cause the death of someone else because they need oxygen they can’t get.”
Dr. Boo previously said that oxygen, or the lack of ventilators and oxygen concentrators, will be the biggest concern if the hospital reaches capacity. Mammoth Hospital only has four ventilators. The altitude in Mono County is also a concern, especially for people who are not acclimated.
At sea level you are breathing 21% oxygen, Mammoth Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Craig Burrows explained. In Mammoth, at 8,000 feet, you are breathing 15% oxygen, about 30% less than at sea level. The symptoms of COVID-19 may be more pronounced here because of the thin air.
“When you are ill with a lung infection, the problem becomes more pronounced, and what you may have been able to contend with at sea level now becomes much more problematic,” Dr. Burrows said. “Many previously healthy patients now require supplemental oxygen both in the hospital as well as upon discharge until they are able to return to sea level.”
Mono County Public Health officially launched a nurse triage line to provide information and guidance to anyone who is sick and may be currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Residents can call (760) 924–1830 or 2–1–1 for nurse support.
The hospital’s community drive for personal protective equipment continues. The most needed items are masks, shoe covers, and head covers, which a team of people are sewing. Volunteers can contact Lily Olvera at lidia.olverayanez@mammothhospital.com with sewing questions.
Mono County is currently reporting one death from the coronavirus, 13 positive cases, 55 negative, 14 tests pending; a total of 82 tests have been administered. Inyo County, which includes Toiyabe Indian Healthcare Project, is currently reporting no deaths, 9 confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus, 63 negative, 19 tests pending, and 90 total tests administered.
The next regularly scheduled Mono County virtual community meeting is Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. Residents can join the meeting online or call in to listen.
Updated: The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center has suspended forescating for the season. Watch this message from ESAC President Nate Greenberg.
Monica Prelle is a Mammoth Lakes-based freelance journalist.