Imperial County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Munday has issued new rules for coping with COVID-19.

The new orders take effect at 12:00 a.m. Friday , March 20, 2020 and continue until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020. All public and private gatherings of 50 or more in a single room or single space , at the same time , are prohibited. All gatherings of any size are strongly discouraged. All bars , adult entertainment establishments , and other business establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close. All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food shall close all on-site dining. All food shall be served via delivery , drive-thru , or pick-up on site. All businesses shall enact social distancing , increased sanitation standards and environmental cleaning. Businesses shall make every effort to implement telecommuting options for employees. Dr. Munday also strongly recommended that all persons who: (a) are sixty-five years or older , (b) have a chronic illness or underlying condition , or (c) have a compromised immune system , to self-quarantine themselves. 

Dr. Munday also responded to a question about testing for the COVID-19 virus by saying that high-risk hospitalized patients are being tested and travel-related illnesses are being tested as well. He pointed out that even if you have symptoms of the COVID-19 you should just stay home and recover as there is no treatment for the disease and there is no reason to expose healthcare workers and others. He added that if you are severely ill and the symptoms worsen than you should seek medical attention. 

So far in Imperial County there have been just 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , both travel related. There are several tests pending but  all other tests have come back negative. There have NO community spread cases. 

A video of Dr. Munday's updated report is available: