Alameda and Contra Costa are among five Bay Area counties to announce a new health order to take effect in the coming days, getting out ahead of the state's hospital ICU capacity-based plan to instead implement similar restrictions sooner on the local level.
The new restrictions on businesses, gatherings and other activities will be similar to those outlined by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, which under the governor's plan would've been triggered Bay Area-wide once ICU capacity dips below 15%.
But health officers in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties and the city of Berkeley see that threshold -- and associated restrictions -- as "inevitable" in their jurisdictions, so they have opted to implement a localized state-at-home order sooner rather than wait until ICU capacity reaches that critical level.
Locally, the health order will take effect Sunday in Contra Costa County and on Monday in Alameda County. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until Jan. 4.
"Rising hospitalization rates across the region threaten not only our community members with severe COVID-19, but anyone who may need care because of a heart attack, stroke, accident, or other critical health need," Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said in a statement. "By acting together now we will have the greatest impact on the surge and save more lives."
"We are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations here in Contra Costa County and across our region," added Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Farnitano. "The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our county has doubled in just the past couple of weeks, and we are at risk of exceeding our hospital capacity later this month if current trends continue."
Editor's note: Read the full story here
Comments
Registered user
Val Vista
on Dec 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Registered user
on Dec 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm
I don't think so. It's not gonna happen again,
Registered user
Val Vista
on Dec 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Registered user
on Dec 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm
[Post removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Dec 4, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Registered user
on Dec 4, 2020 at 3:01 pm
We have been unbelievably lacking in following simple rules, like wearing masks. This shift, although tragically early given our hospital bed counts, is not a surprise. They are trying to get ahead of the numbers, and this is important, to protect us. Getting a vaccine is in the not too distant future, but it won’t get to most of us for months. In the meantime, stay home, wear a mask when you are out, wash your hands, and be kind to each other.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Dec 5, 2020 at 8:32 am
Registered user
on Dec 5, 2020 at 8:32 am
"Getting a vaccine is in the not too distant future, but it won’t get to most of us for months. In the meantime, stay home, wear a mask when you are out, wash your hands, and be kind to each other."
And how long after that are we going to have to wait for the so called "equity index" (the politically correct benchmark that Newsom wants) to be satisfied before the state is finally allowed to reopen? Somehow, I don't think "being kind" is going to count toward this.
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Dec 5, 2020 at 9:25 am
Registered user
on Dec 5, 2020 at 9:25 am
It’s a pandemic. Until people are willing to do what is necessary, we are going to rock and roll to normal. Being kind is just a human thing to do.
Registered user
Birdland
on Dec 7, 2020 at 9:36 am
Registered user
on Dec 7, 2020 at 9:36 am
We are still talking about masks, when they have already been debunked. If you feel the need to wear a mask then by all means do so. If wearing a mask makes you feel safe then forcing others to wear a mask contradicts your argument. To blame us for allegedly not following the rules of Dr. Fauci is offensive, disingenuous, and medically not proven. Unless you get outside yourself and listen to the medical communities (censored by social media) around the world you will be subjected to the mass hysteria created by mainstream media.
Secondly, you better think long and hard, and explore the vaccine before you take it. Do your due diligence. More then likely, you won’t take one inoculation, it will be continual. Web Link
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Dec 7, 2020 at 10:39 am
Registered user
on Dec 7, 2020 at 10:39 am
If you haven't already gotten your flu shot, they are still available. Be sure to get one. Slowing the spread of the flu will help keep the load off health care workers needed for treating COVID-19 cases.
Be sure to follow the advice of qualified doctors and health care professionals. Examples in the Tri-Valley area would be Kaiser Permanente or Stanford Health Care ValleyCare Web Link Be sure to stay away from scams.
COVID-19 vaccines are on the way! This is great news. In the meantime, keep social distancing, wear your mask, and wash your hands. If you haven't already, you can still get your flu shot -- Talk to your doctor.
Small businesses are getting slammed right now, so if you can afford it, please order take out from a local restaurant and buy something from a local retailer.