Smaller gatherings are increasing the prevalence of COVID-19 in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield warned on Tuesday.
Redfield was commented on as CNN reported an increase in cases in 44 states.
“In public squares, we are seeing high vigilance and prevention measures in many jurisdictions,” Redfield told the governor.
“But what we’re seeing now as a growing threat is really getting infected by small household gatherings,” Redfield said. “Especially with Thanksgiving, we feel it’s really important to emphasize the vigilance of these continuous reduction measures in home configuration.”
The state of California has also considered the issue around small gatherings and earlier this week it released guidelines for small private outdoor gatherings with friends.
The new guidelines say attendees should be from no more than three separate homes and gatherings should not last more than two hours.
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Gatherings “should be and should be outside,” said Mark Galli. People are also expected to take safety precautions, including wearing masks, practicing body spacing, and washing hands.
In the past, the state discouraged any gatherings outside the home, but now it says gatherings are allowed if these conditions are met.
Gali said the guidelines are for the belief that many close friends and relatives have long been estranged and increasingly want to be together, especially with the holidays.
The guidelines are not intended to encourage gatherings, but to motivate them to socialize safely when they do.
“Guidance here doesn’t mean go,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we support or suggest small gatherings. We just want to provide important ways to reduce your risk so you can protect yourself, your families and your communities.”
He said, “We believe and still really support the message that spending time alone with your home is the only way we can minimize transmission.”
While cases are erupting all over the country and in many European countries. California is generally below the positivity rate %% this month and the new day’s 14-day rolling average is at 19,1193, three times lower than the July average.
“We’re not experiencing other parts of the country and other parts of the world,” Galileo said. “We don’t want to see a spike that could happen properly.”
