City of West Sacramento
Home MenuCOVID-19 Local Emergency Ends
Yolo County News Release
(Woodland, CA) – On February 21st, 2023, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted to end the local emergency and local health emergency for COVID-19 effective February 28, at the recommendation of the Yolo County Health Officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson. The local COVID-19 emergencies were declared in March 2020, as were State and federal emergencies. California’s State of Emergency for COVID-19 is also ending February 28, and the federal emergency declaration will end May 11.
Although the declared emergency is ending, COVID-19 has not disappeared, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 continues to circulate. However, knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and the tools available to fight the virus have grown significantly since early 2020.
“We have come a long way since the COVID-19 emergencies were declared at the local, state, and federal levels,” says Dr. Sisson. “In March 2020, the world was turned upside down by a novel coronavirus that we knew nothing about, for which the only testing available took days to get results, for which there was no vaccine nor any specific treatment, and we didn’t have enough gowns, masks, gloves, or goggles to protect healthcare workers, yet alone masks for the general public. Contrast those dark early days of the pandemic with today’s COVID-19 reality: we have learned a lot about the SARS-CoV-2 virus; antigen tests are widely available and provide results in 15 minutes; safe and effective vaccines are available; safe and effective oral treatments are available; and we have enough PPE for healthcare workers along with high quality masks for the general public. We are in a very different place than we were in March of 2020, and one where it is appropriate to end the COVID-19 emergencies.”
In addition to the ending of the declared emergency after February 28, the Yolo County Health Officer has rescinded the last remaining local health officer order for COVID-19, pertaining to isolation of infected persons, effective March 1. Persons with COVID-19 should now follow the recommendations and requirements of State of California agencies, including the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Social Services, and the State of California’s Division on Occupational Safety and Health. Members of the general public are recommended to stay out of work, school, and other activities for at least 5 days if they test positive for COVID-19. State isolation requirements continue to apply employees in workplaces and persons living in long-term care facilities.
COVID-19 continues to infect persons in Yolo County. Residents are therefore encouraged to continue taking actions to protect themselves and their community from infection by getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 boosters, wearing a high-quality mask indoors, washing their hands regularly, and staying home when they are sick. While the local COVID-19 emergency is ending, many COVID-19 resources will continue to be available in Yolo County for at least the next several months, including antiviral treatments, antigen tests, and vaccines.
Free Treatments: Safe and effective treatments for COVID-19 are available for infected persons who have symptoms.
Sesame Care: Individuals without a regular healthcare provider or who aren’t able to reach their provider quickly can access free virtual COVID-19 telehealth services and medications from Sesame Care online or by calling 833-686-5051. Paxlovid or molnupiravir are free and can either be mailed or picked up at a pharmacy.
Free Antigen Tests: Individuals with health insurance can receive 8 FREE antigen tests each month through their insurance provider. In addition, FREE tests are available at:
- Local Public Libraries during business hours
- Outdoor Vending Machines (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- Davis: Mary L. Stephens Library, 315 E. 14th St
- Esparto: Regional Library, 17065 Yolo Ave
- West Sacramento: Community Center, 1075 W. Capitol Ave
- Winters: City Hall, 318 1st St
- Woodland: La Superior Market, 34 W. Court St
Free Vaccines
- Yolo County Walk-in Clinics:
- Yolo County Door Vax Program: