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Press Releases
November 12, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County Health Officer issues order requiring health care facility staff to wear masks
Given the rising risk of respiratory virus-related illnesses, such as COVID and flu, Sonoma County’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has issued an order requiring health care personnel to mask when in patient care areas. The health order will be in effect throughout the remaining respiratory virus season, from Nov. 18 through April 30. Read full story
October 22, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County approves Microenterprise Home Kitchen program
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to establish a local program to permit small-scale residential retail food facilities, known as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, or MEHKOs, which are authorized by state law. Read full story
October 22, 2024 | Department of Health Services
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 appointed as Sonoma County’s interim health officer. Read full story
October 02, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County Health Officer extends health advisory concerning heat wave
County of Sonoma Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has extended a health advisory in response to the National Weather Service’s Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county through 11 p.m. Thursday. The Excessive Heat Warning was extended through 11 p.m. Thursday for Sonoma County Interior and Coastal Ranges. Interior temperatures will range from the mid-90s to low 100s, regions close to the coast will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s, and regions directly along the coast will range from the upper 60s to mid-70s. Read full story
August 28, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County’s higher-than-average suicide rates to be focus of September 7 ‘Connection is Prevention’ event
Sonoma County has a problem: Suicide rates are high here. On average, there are 73 deaths by suicide each year in Sonoma County, making it the ninth leading cause of death. The Sonoma County suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 residents is considerably higher than the California rate of 10.5. Read full story
July 23, 2024 | Department of Health Services
St. Vincent de Paul selected to run two Sonoma County homeless shelters
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today authorized St. Vincent de Paul to provide interim shelter support services and site management at County shelter sites Mickey Zane Place and Eliza’s Village. The contract will be effective Aug. 1 and will last for three years with an option to extend. Additionally, the Board authorized an amendment with St. Vincent to cover current services at Los Guilicos Village through Aug. 31, 2024 or until all Los Guilicos Village guests and operations are transitioned to Eliza’s Village. The budget for the two actions together amounts to just over $5 million. Read full story
July 10, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County Health Officer extends heat advisory through Friday
In response to the National Weather Service’s extension of the Excessive Heat Warning for the North Bay interior mountains and a Heat Advisory for the North Bay interior valleys, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has extended the countywide Heat Advisory in place since Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, July 12. Read full story
July 05, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County Health Officer extends Heat Advisory
In response to the National Weather Service’s extension of the Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has extended the countywide Heat Advisory that began Tuesday, July 2 to Tuesday, July 9. The Advisory had been expected to end today. Read full story
July 01, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Cooling centers to open during high heat event this week
Cooling centers, where residents can escape the heat, will be available at several locations in Sonoma County beginning Tuesday as the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management activates its extreme temperature response. Read full story
July 01, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County Health Officer issues Heat Advisory
County of Sonoma Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares has issued a Heat Advisory in response to the National Weather Service’s Excessive Heat Warning for much of the county from Tuesday morning, July 2 through Friday evening, July 5. Concurrently, a red flag warning is also in effect from Monday at 11 p.m. through Wednesday at 5 p.m. Read full story