| Sutter County News for April, 2009 |
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Swine Flu Information
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| April 27, 2009 |
Swine Flu Information
Dr. Michael Kinnison, Public Health Officer
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
The Sutter County Public Health Department is prepared for the possible outbreak
of Swine Flu in our community. Swine Flu is caused by a new virus (H1N1).
There are no reported cases in Sutter County at this time.
There have been 149 deaths attributed to Swine Flu in Mexico. Forty-three non-fatal
cases have been confirmed in the United States, including 11 in California. The closest
case is in Sacramento County. On Sunday, the U.S. Government declared a National Health
Emergency as a precaution and to enable flexibility in moving resources around the country.
While there are no known cases of Swine Flu in Sutter County, there is a potential for the
new strain of flu to reach Sutter County. The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to those
of regular flu -- fever, cough, fatigue, lack of appetite.
The Public Health Department has established an Operations Center within the department to
monitor the situation and coordinate communication with the public, and with local medical
and emergency personnel. Sutter County Public Health officials have been training for the
potential of an influenza pandemic for five years.
The current series of flu shots WILL NOT protect anyone from contracting Swine Flu.
A vaccine for Swine Flu will take months to become available for mass distribution.
Anti-viral medication is available to mitigate symptoms if your doctor feels it is
appropriate for your condition.
If you have recently become ill after travel to or from Mexico (since April 1) or have
recently become ill after exposure to someone who has recently traveled to or from Mexico,
see your doctor immediately.
Individuals should wash hands frequently, cough into a tissue or their arm, and not into
their hands. If they become ill with respiratory symptoms they should stay home and see
their health provider.
The following links contain important information about Swine Flu, about how to prevent the
spread of flu, and what to do if you contract the flu.
A phone bank has been established at the Public Health Department and is operational from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. The number is 822-7215.
 This an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. You can download a free PDF reader from Adobe. |
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29 Passport Applications Issued During Passport Day USA
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| April 23, 2009 |
Sutter County Clerk Recorder Donna Johnston was pleased with the response to ‘Passport Day’ - a special Saturday opening of the Clerk-Recorder’s Office in March - to help residents get prepared for major changes in the laws about traveling outside of, and returning to, the United States.
The Clerk-Recorder’s Office issued 29 passport applications in a five-hour period, or about three times the average number of applications for a typical eight-hour weekday.
“Last year, we issued about 2,400 passports, which worked out to about nine a day, so we were very pleased with the response to opening up for a few hours on a Saturday,” Mrs. Johnston said.
The Clerk-Recorder opened the office on a Saturday, in cooperation with the U.S. State Department’s “Passport Day In The USA”. This promotion was implemented to remind United States citizens that beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government, in order to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean - at land borders and sea ports of entry. [More] |
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Business Speaker Recognizes Sutter County Public Health For Outstanding Customer Service
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| April 22, 2009 |
Sutter County's Public Health Department was recently recognized for outstanding customer service during an event sponsored by the Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium.
The County’s Public Health Department was mentioned as an example of an organization that provides good customer service during a presentation by Patricia Fripp, a nationally recognized customer service trainer and public speaker. Mrs. Fripp was speaking March 25 during a special program hosted by the Business Consortium.
According to Dana Garcia of the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corp., the Sutter County Public Health Department was included in a list of examples of organizations with outstanding customer service in the Yuba-Sutter area. Specifically mentioned was the drive-through flu shot clinic in November in which more than 400 people received flu shots. Mrs. Fripp became aware of the event because of a letter to the editor of The Appeal-Democrat praising the Health Department’s outreach.
The Y-S Business Consortium is a 10-member organization of private and public organizations that promote the growth of small businesses, including the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, Yuba College, the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, the California Employer Advisory Council, North Central Counties Consortium, the Sutter County One Stop, the Yuba County One Stop, and the Small Business Development Center. |
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Low Debt Burden For County
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| April 09, 2009 |
Of 33 counties surveyed by private financial advisor company Stone and Youngberg, Sutter County had the highest reserve ratio and the lowest debt burden, a reflection of years of conservative budgeting by the Board of Supervisors. The attached document is referenced in an Opinion-Editorial by Board Chairman Jim Whiteaker scheduled to run on Sunday, April 12 in The Appeal-Democrat newspaper.[More]  This an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. You can download a free PDF reader from Adobe. |
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Assistance for People Affected by Drought
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| April 08, 2009 |
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If you have been affected by drought, a number of programs are available to you.
A new brochure has been made available by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) outlining various assistance programs available to individuals affected by drought. Categories include tax advice, programs for farmers, food assistance, health and education programs, and more.[More] |
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