Anyone who visited Rumiano Cheese Company’s retail store in Crescent City on Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, according to the Del Norte Public Health Branch.

An employee at the store tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, last worked at the store on Nov. 9 and is currently recovering at home. Those who visited the store between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 and between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 may have been exposed to the virus, according to a Public Health news release. They are asked to follow self monitoring guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to contact their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms.

The Rumiano Cheese retail store at 511 9th Street in Crescent City will be deep cleaned and disinfected before reopening to the public on Monday, according to the Public Health Branch.

Meanwhile, with 22 active cases currently and more than 14 active COVID-19 cases for the past two weeks, Del Norte County has moved into the red tier, also known as the Substantial Tier or Tier 2 on California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, according to Public Health Officer Dr. Warren Rehwaldt.

In a letter to the community Monday, Rehwaldt said though the Public Health Branch will appeal the decision to the California Department of Public Health, the county’s status is not likely to change due to spiking cases around the state and nation:

As of November 16, 2020, Del Norte County has moved into the Red Tier, also known as Substantial Tier or Tier 2. Del Norte has had more than 14 active cases for the last two weeks. We are currently at 22 active cases and we have received over 50 confirmed reports of positive cases during the month of November alone. We have made contact with all reported positive cases within 24 hours of receiving the report and active contact tracing efforts are ongoing to identify close personal contacts to known positive cases and provide timely next-step information for those who have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

With the Red Tier classification, there may be some changes in activities for local businesses, and these changes can be found online. Any changes will go into effect on November 17, 2020. We will be releasing further details in the coming days but wanted to inform the community of this information today. We recommend that all interested persons and business owners check the Blueprint for a Safer Economy website to learn what is different with respect to their businesses under the new tier. The website is very easy to use and can be found at: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.

We will make an attempt to appeal the decision to the state health department, but given current circumstances around the state and nation, it is not likely to be granted. Regardless of that outcome, it is imperative that all residents and visitors in Del Norte County follow recommendations for social distancing, masking, and handwashing at all times when in public space or workspaces indoors, and for self-isolating when you are feeling ill. We are especially cautioning residents to exercise caution in interactions outside of your immediate household. Please contact your primary care physician if you are having COVID-19 symptoms and think that you may need testing.

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