Residents Invited to View Livestreaming County COVID Update
On Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., the County of San Bernardino will host a special Facebook Livestream COVID-19 Update video briefing that will breakdown our status on the state’s Tier system. We learned today that due to a Labor Day holiday spike, we are unable to move from our current purple tier status to red.
Tomorrow’s Livestream can be accessed on the County Facebook page and will feature Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman, other members of the Board of Supervisors, Public Health Director Corwin Porter and County Fire Chief Dan Munsey. They will break down what is keeping us from advancing to the red tier and what the County and its residents can do to keep COVID cases down and reopen more businesses.
County’s Move into Red Tier is Delayed
We are deeply disappointed to share the news that a late spike in cases due to the Labor Day holiday weekend caused the San Bernardino County case rate to exceed the criteria for achieving a red-tier designation. Specifically, our positivity rate of 5.67% was low enough to make the cut; unfortunately, we reported 7.75 cases per day per 100,000 residents, which is well above the figure the state requires to proceed to the less restrictive tier.
Moreover, because the state requires a county to maintain supportive numbers for a full two-week period (and continue those numbers to remain in the favorable tier), we are forced to “reset the clock” and begin a new 14-day tracking period. Where we stand with the State can be clearly seen on their county status webpage.
The problem? Though our county has made excellent progress since July, when COVID-19 infections peaked, we recently experienced a notable spike in new cases — which our analysis shows was largely due to social gatherings over the Labor Day weekend. Specifically, data presented to the Board of Supervisors earlier today from Director of Public Health Corwin Porter showed a spike in cases in persons age 18-34, and that 58.3% of the reported cases the last 28 days stemmed from gatherings of friends or family members.
Today, members of the Board of Supervisors vowed to continue pressing the state to adopt less-restrictive criteria and allow the county’s economy to reopen.
“We share in the disappointment in this news, but at the same time, we know we continue to be very close to breaking this threshold,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “With a little more effort, we can enable restaurants and other businesses to serve customers indoors, theaters to open, churches and synagogues to expand worship services, and schools to provide in-person instruction.
“The bottom line is that this means continuing to wear face coverings and maintaining social distancing, and most of all, resisting the temptation to gather with friends,” Hagman continued.
Hagman also noted that the County is working with the state to identify areas where restrictions may be relaxed, for example by allowing the county’s vast rural areas to reopen while public health officials focus on reducing infections in more densely populated urban areas.
Porter stressed the need for greatly expanded testing, and encouraged all residents, including those showing no signs of the disease, to get tested at their earliest convenience.
“We need to increase the number of tests performed by at least 1,000 a day to avoid state penalties,” Porter said. “Testing quickly identifies infected individuals, including the asymptomatic, so the County can use its Contact Tracing system to notify and reduce the chance of passing the virus to others. And remember, expanded testing will increase the number of residents producing negative results, which lowers the county’s positivity rate.”
San Bernardino County has made the process of getting tested as easy as possible. Combined with state, local and retail partners, there are over two dozen testing locations, and that includes weekend testing, after-hour sites and even the ability for employers to establish on-site testing for their employees.
Though scheduling an appointment is encouraged, most sites will accept walk ups. Readers can click here for more information on testing, including locations and hours of operation.
State Announces New Guidelines for Reopening Playgrounds
It has been a common site for anyone visiting a county or city park: yellow caution tape closing off playgrounds. Last night the California Department of Public Health released guidelines that allow for the reopening of outdoor playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities.
“This is certainly welcome news for all parents, caregivers and their families,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “The new guidelines are consistent with what has become smart, common-sense guidelines as we get through this pandemic, and we’re all confident that families will be very conscientious in creating a safe atmosphere for our children.”
Central to the new guidelines, which can be found here on the CDPH website, is the consistent practice that face masks are required for everyone 2 years of age or older, and that there is a conscious effort by families to keep a safe (six-feet) distance between households. It is expected that families and caregivers will be sensitive to overcrowding, and try to avoid a playground if overcapacity or impossible to maintain a safe distance from other households.
Also, the guidelines reinforce that a playground should absolutely be avoided by the elderly or persons with an underlying health condition, if children are present.
The guidelines also state that children should refrain from eating or drinking while using playground equipment, and visits should be limited to 30 minutes or less when others are present. And of course, the use of hand sanitizers and frequent hand washing remains very important when using playground equipment.
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
As of today, a total of 363 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. A total of 346 inmates have recovered.
A total of 195 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19; with 191 having recovered from the virus. The other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
54,849 Confirmed Cases (up 0.7% from the previous day)
952 Deaths (up 2.9% from the previous day)
621,526 Tests (up 0.6% 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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