County Launches ‘Education/Engagement/Enforcement Plan’ to Boost Compliance
Intensifying its efforts to combat COVID-19 and diminish spread of the coronavirus, the County is implementing a COVID-19 Compliance Education/Engagement/Enforcement (EEE) Plan in coordination with local cities. The new campaign is designed to encourage compliance with federal, state and County public health mandates.
“Our County remains on the state’s Monitoring List, which restricts our ability to continue reopening our economy or allow schools to provide in-person instruction,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Getting off the list requires us to show tangible success in reducing new positive cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions — and that requires strict compliance with various public health mandates.”
Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the creation of Strike Teams comprising 10 state agencies working in conjunction with local officials. The Strike Teams, which are focusing on businesses that continue to defy safety mandates, include such agencies as the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the California Highway Patrol. The Education, Engagement & Enforcement Plan was established to support these Strike Teams.
“Our primary emphasis is on educating high-risk businesses about the critical need to comply with these directives, while offering guidance to assist them in these efforts,” Hagman said. “That includes engaging with business owners to make sure they’re aware of the resources we’ve made available. We prefer to avoid punitive actions but will have no other choice if businesses continue to disregard public health ordinances.”
Initial focus on high-risk operations
The plan’s initial focus will be on identifying high-risk businesses such as bars, restaurants and gyms; the County will also respond to citizen reports of companies flouting public health mandates. The County will work with cities to coordinate efforts and share lists of these businesses, while allowing cities to take the lead in contacting businesses within their borders.
The County Fire Marshal and County Environmental Health Services Division will field a team of 30 inspectors who will be tasked with visiting businesses, confirm reported violations, and offer assistance to help them come into compliance. They will also share details of the industry guidelines developed by the state and encourage them to participate in the County’s COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program.
Enforcement as a last resort
Businesses that continue to operate while ignoring public health requirements will be reported to the state Strike Team and/or local authorities for follow-up. Business owners or residents interested in reviewing the details can find a PDF of the EEE Plan on this webpage within the County’s COVID-19 website.
“Since our initial response to the pandemic, our goal has been to gain voluntary compliance from County businesses and residents, many of whom have suffered from COVID-19 and the resulting economic lockdowns,” said Sheriff John McMahon. “We want to help them survive and prosper — while doing everything possible to halt the spread of this disease. But we need their cooperation if we are to succeed in this effort.”
Working the Frontline of a Pandemic
Dr. Pennington’s fight against COVID-19 is both professional and personal
Dr. Troy Pennington, an emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), has been on the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak from the start. A lifetime of emergency response training has prepared him for the toughest challenge in his career.
His passion for emergency medical problem-solving all started from an initial career as a firefighter and paramedic. This eventually led him to pursue medical school and a career at ARMC where he is double board certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services.
As the grandson to the fire chief in Flint, Michigan, Dr. Pennington started out at the young age of 15 as a volunteer firefighter in a small town in Texas. Fast-forward and he is now a respected medical expert in our County continuing a lifelong career as a first responder; although he never anticipated he would be on the frontlines of a pandemic or that it would hit so close to home.
In May, Dr. Pennington’s wife Loren suddenly began experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. She was a healthy, active 31-year-old with no underlying health conditions, but nonetheless was suddenly knocked down by an intense fever. Dr. Pennington remembers the day he received the call while at work.
“It was really frightening -- it never occurred to me that she would be the one to get it,” said Dr. Pennington. “My wife was now a statistic on the dashboard I filled out, and I had to explain to our 5-year-old that he couldn’t be with his mom.”
She was admitted to the hospital because her oxygen saturation levels dropped below normal, but she was able to move back home under treatment by her husband physician.
She spent three weeks in a makeshift hospital bed and for two weeks she was on oxygen. “Once at home, she was quarantined in a bedroom and the rest of the house was deep cleaned. We set up security cameras in the bedroom to monitor her from a distance and our son would Facetime with her regularly,” added Dr. Pennington.
In all, Loren fought COVID-19 for 26 days, in what Dr. Pennington said was a “scary and difficult time.” His wife is now seemingly recovered and Dr. Pennington is back on-call in the emergency room as COVID-19 cases spike. Hospitals throughout the County are filling back up and the County has prepared an Alternative Care Site to possibly address overcrowding.
Speaking from both professional and personal experience, Dr. Pennington urges all residents to be cautious, wear masks, and practice social distancing because “while we don’t know who will get it, we do know what we can do to slow the spread.”
Starting next week, Dr. Troy Pennington will be featured in an upcoming series of informational videos on a variety of topics important to all County residents.
Young SB Woman with No Underlying Conditions Dies from COVID
A 25-year-old San Bernardino woman died on July 15, becoming the youngest person to die from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County. The woman had no underlying health conditions.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this young woman,” said Acting Public Health Officer, Dr. Erin Gustafson. “This devastating loss is a reminder that this virus can be deadly to anyone, regardless of age or medical history. We urge citizens of San Bernardino County to continue to take this virus seriously and abide by public health recommendations.”
Wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and wash your hands frequently to help control the virus from spreading. As of today, 358 County residents – our friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors – have died from COVID-19.
Her passing is a reminder that this virus can hit all ages. As of today, 43% of COVID-19 cases in San Bernardino County are those between the age of 20 and 39, and the median age of COVID-19 cases is 38 years old.
Nine Inmates and 20 Sheriff’s Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Nine County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Four inmates are at the West Valley Detention Center, three are at the Central Detention Center, one is at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, and one is at the High Desert Detention Center.
A total of 210 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. One hundred and sixty-seven inmates have recovered from the illness.
All inmates continue to be provided with face coverings, cleaning supplies, soap, and are urged to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day. They are routinely reminded of the need to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Twenty department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home. A total of 138 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Ninety-five employees have recovered from the virus; other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
26,796 Confirmed Cases (up 2.3% from the previous day)
372 Deaths (up 3.9% from the previous day)
226,027 Tested (up 1.4% 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.
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