Press Releases
Sonoma County issues health advisory due to poor air quality
Smoke from wildfires currently burning in Northern California and Southern Oregon is expected to impact the air quality throughout Sonoma County today through Wednesday, Sept. 20. The air quality is expected to be in the moderate range during this event. Read full story
Sonoma County Health Officer issues order requiring health care facility staff to wear a mask
Given the rising risk of respiratory virus-related illnesses such as COVID and flu, Sonoma County’s Health Officer today issued an order requiring health care personnel to mask when in patient care areas. The health order will be in effect throughout the respiratory virus season, which runs from Nov. 1 through April 30. Read full story
Sonoma County to transition homeless shelter sites; annual survey shows decrease in homelessness
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to replace the Emergency Shelter Site at the County campus with housing systems that are longer-term. The discussion came as the Supervisors received a report that showed the number of homeless individuals in Sonoma County decreased by 22 percent from last year. Read full story
Sonoma County’s Brittany Lobo recognized as a rising leader in public health
Brittany Lobo, a section manager in the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, has been recognized as one of the top rising public health leaders in the nation. Lobo was included in the de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health list, which was announced today. Read full story
Sonoma County issues health advisory due to poor air quality
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today issued the following health advisory: Health officials urge Sonoma County residents to limit outdoor activity due to the poor air quality caused by wildfire events throughout Northern California. People may experience adverse health effects from the smoke over Sonoma County and across the region. Read full story
Sonoma County issues Health Advisory for Tough Mudder race participants
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services has issued a Health Advisory concerning multiple reports of participants in a Tough Mudder race at Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 19 and 20 having developed rash with fever, muscle pain, or nausea/vomiting occurring about 24 hours after the event. Read full story
Sonoma County to host overdose awareness event August 31
Sonoma County Department of Health Services is inviting the public to attend an Aug. 31 event to raise awareness about the dangers of overdosing from substances. The public event, which will include food and demonstrations of overdose prevention tools, is scheduled for International Overdose Awareness Day. Read full story
Sonoma County launches new community health dashboard
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today launched a new community health dashboard to increase public awareness of local health trends and improve the community’s ability to respond to changing health needs. Read full story
Former state public health director named Sonoma County interim health officer
Dr. Karen Smith, an experienced public health official who previously served four years as director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, has been named interim health officer by the director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. A physician specializing in infectious disease and public health with a master’s degree in public health, Dr. Smith has led health departments at the state and local level. Read full story
County-funded program announces 282 youth, people with mental illness prevented from becoming homeless
The Sonoma County Human Services Department today announced preliminary results of a new program that identifies people at risk of becoming homeless and helps them obtain stable housing and supportive services to improve their lives. Read full story