#SBCountyTogether Daily Update - May 11, 2020

San Bernardino County, California sent this bulletin at 05/11/2020 04:52 PM PDT

May 11, 2020 - Daily Update

This Daily Update (Monday through Friday) will share important news, information and resources related to how we are battling and getting through the coronavirus pandemic. We are here for you. #SBCountyTogether

For Latest Statistics and a complete list of upcoming Testing Locations and links, scroll to the bottom of today’s Daily Update

Testing Now Open to Any Interested Residents

All public testing locations are now open to any residents, regardless of whether you are experiencing current symptoms. Appointments, however, are still required. A list of current testing locations can be found at the bottom of this Update, or by visiting http://sbcovid19.com/community-drive-through-events/.

Face Masks Are Now Optional, But Still Strongly Encouraged

A new health order issued by the Board of Supervisors last Friday repeals the April 23 health order requiring face coverings and certain social distancing mandates. However, County leaders are still strongly recommending wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The example set by grocery stores and other Phase 1 essential businesses these past several weeks provide the model for other businesses to imitate moving forward. Specifically, that means requiring masks when indoors or interacting with workers or strangers, keeping safe distances, and frequent hand washing or sanitizing.

Supervisors are also reminding residents and businesses that the County is still under California’s “stay-at-home” order that prohibits gatherings and short-term rentals.

“The County strongly urges everyone to continue wearing face coverings in public to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and businesses should still require face coverings and physical distancing for customers and employees,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “But repealing the local health orders will allow the County to reopen businesses more quickly as the governor continues to relax standards.”

The Board of Supervisors decided to rescind the April 23 omnibus health order to permit some flexibility as Phase 2 businesses gradually reopen.

“We prefer avoiding using a heavy hand in mandating restrictions on residents and businesses,” said Hagman. “But at the same time we are trusting people to take the steps necessary to keep their friends, neighbors, employees and customers healthy."

Many types of businesses were allowed to open on Friday under certain conditions (curbside only), and the Board adopted a Business and Reopening Plan providing guidelines to help businesses operate while keeping staff and customers safe.

Also, Chairman Hagman is looking to partner with other Southern California county board of supervisors chairs on seeking a dialogue with the governor on the criteria for safely reopening additional business sectors.

Phase 2 San Bernardino County Businesses Can Open Curbside ONLY

Unless designated as a Phase 1 “essential business,” San Bernardino County businesses designated as early Phase 2 can re-open as curbside pickup until further notice. The early phase of Phase 2 are “lower risk” workplaces, including but not limited to bookstores, jewelry stores, clothing and shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, sporting goods stores, antique stores, music stores, and florists.

Supply chains supporting the above businesses can also open under this early stage of Phase 2, specifically in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. All businesses will need to modify operations to reduce contact, ensure proper distancing, and ensure proper PPE and sanitation equipment for all employees, preferably with outdoor breakrooms and physically distant seating.

“This is a key step in reopening our economy responsibly and safely,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “By beginning with mostly curbside operations for early Phase 2 businesses, we are giving business owners an opportunity to begin the process of ramping up their operations and ramping up our economy while ensuring the safety of their employees and patrons.”

The ability to continue opening workplaces in Phase 2, and eventually higher risk Phase 3 businesses, will rely on several criteria. First, businesses must demonstrate their adherence to safety and social distancing guidelines. Second, county residents should also continue to practice accepted safety guidelines, such as the use of face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Third, and most importantly, is the county must continue to demonstrate a flattening curve. Combined COVID positive and suspected cases must continue to go down (COVID positive has been relatively flat for the past month). Hospitalizations and ICU utilization have been well below projections. The use of ventilators has remained stable, and our hospitals still have significant capacity to accommodate a surge.

“We are confident that our residents and business owners will recognize that keeping the rate of COVID-19 cases and related deaths flat is a shared responsibility,” said Hagman. “We have it within our collective ability to act responsibility, whether you are working in a store or looking to visit one. We are asking all our residents to please respect safe distances and wear face coverings when indoors around other people. If we can support one another during this reopening, we can thrive within this new normal until a vaccine is found that will end this forever.”

High-risk individuals, and anyone who is sick, should continue to follow strict safe-at-home guidelines until further notice.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Wednesday, Not Tomorrow

The Board of Supervisors last Thursday announced plans to meet tomorrow morning. That meeting will instead take place on Wednesday, May 13, at 9 a.m.

Residents Respond to Neighbor2Neighbor Campaign with Hundreds of Applications

When the County called for volunteers to help in the fight against COVID-19, our County residents responded in a big way!

The recently announced Neighbor2Neighbor Program, which recruits volunteers to help relieve pressure on our health care system during the crisis, has already received applications from almost 350 individuals — 208 of whom have medical expertise or credentials.

“We’re thrilled with the response we’ve received. It shows that San Bernardino County residents are community-minded people,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.. “Retired doctors, nurses and nurses assistants are among the people who have already volunteered to contribute.”

Hagman stressed that non-medical personnel are also welcomed into the Neighbor2Neighbor ranks.

“The County has instituted a variety of programs to help residents cope with the pandemic and the resulting shutdown,” he said. “Volunteers play a key role in many of these programs, ranging from delivering meals to elderly residents to assisting with our homeless support initiatives.”

If you have time available and are looking for ways to help, please consider serving as a volunteer with the County of San Bernardino’s Neighbor2Neighbor Program. To learn more or sign up, please click here.

Mental Health Monday with Dr. Veronica Kelley

Here’s another informative video from Dr. Kelley, director of Behavioral Health for the County of San Bernardino. In this tip, she gives great advice on how to reduce anxiety and stress, especially for those who are more susceptible to the coronavirus.

https://youtu.be/VgMo8Ya4hDE

Latest Stats

3,015 Confirmed Cases (up 1.7% from previous day)

115 Deaths (up 0.9% from previous day)

31,784 Tested (up 3.8% from the previous day)

For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.

Testing Locations for Weeks of May 11 and May 18, 2020

Monday through Friday – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

400 N. Pepper Ave., Colton

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call 1-855-422-8029

Monday through Friday – SAC Health Systems (IEHP Members only)

250 South G Street, San Bernardino

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call (909) 771-2911

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – MCH Rural Health Clinic

29099 Hospital Road, Lake Arrowhead

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointment ONLY, call (909) 336-9715

Tuesday, May 12 – Auto Club Speedway

9300 Cherry Ave., Fontana

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY, all appointments are filled

Wednesday, May 13 – Apple Valley Civic Center Park

14999 Dale Evans Pkwy., Apple Valley