California’s new four-tiered, color-coded system is based on how prevalent COVID-19 is in each county and community spread. | Image by Humboldt County Joint Information Center.
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Under California Lifornia’s new four-tiered, color-coded system to manage the covid-1p epidemic, Humboldt is one of nine counties widely classified in the state, showing a moderate spread of coronavirus. Only two counties – the sparsely populated Modok and the Alpine – fall into the yellow layer, with less spread.
The rest of the state fears a significant or widespread outbreak of the virus, and Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. “We continue to do relatively well here in Humboldt County, but it takes a lot to push us from Orange to Red, provoking more restrictions on local businesses,” said Teresa Frankovich.
“Our case rate is something we really need to look at,” Frankovich said. An average of eight new cases per day, or 60 per week, could push us to the next level, and we’ve only recently come close to that mark. In fact, August. The rate of our new COVID-19 cases between August 17 and 23 was enough to put us in the red, Frankovich told supervisors.
The “Blueprint for a Safe Economy”, unveiled by Governor Gavin News on Friday, divides each county into four levels based on two criteria: a seven-day Covid-19 case rate and a seven-day test positivity rate. (Both steps have an interval of seven days.)
For now, we live in the middle category – or, as another district supervisor Estelle Fennell said (in a possible tribute to S.E. Hinton Outsiders), While the Governor of California’s map is “the sea of purple,” here in Humboldt “We are of gold. And I wish we could keep the gold. “
Frankovic said the state’s new tiered approach to regulations is good news for Humboldt because it allows local control to some extent while allowing industries to expand and contract, rather than closing directly to the open. For example, at our current level, restaurants can provide indoor dining in 50 percent capacity or 200 people (whichever is less), and if we are to upgrade to a red “significant” level, restaurants will need to reduce capacity by 25 percent. Or 100 people.
Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass said she conducts hearings about weddings and other large gatherings of people in violation of state and local health orders.
“That’s a big issue,” Frankovich said, adding that social gatherings have proven to be a big driver of local infections. “Recently about 40 people gathered and we have a number of cases related to that,” he said. “One thing I can request is to stay in your home unit.” And if you combine, make sure it is not in groups of more than four to six. “And safer than outside,” he added.
Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsley said his office has received about eight complaints about large gatherings in the past two weeks. “We will make active phone calls,” he said. Sheriff’s tributaries have called to let people know that their planned events are against public health guidelines. “So far they’ve done a good job of trying to reduce it,” Honsley said.
Supervisors also discussed the state’s new guidelines for youth sports. Frankovich said the county’s Joint Information Center has received 15 requests from groups hoping for some organized youth sports. Ten have been approved and JIC employees are working on another five.
First District Supervisor Rex Boh said children need to stay at least six feet away under the guidelines, it just feels like two games they could possibly play, like tennis and golf. “It’s really easy to steal another base if you have to stay six feet away.”
Frankovich also agreed that youth groups can always do strength training and exercise. The guide says children shouldn’t even share equipment, he noted, “throwing balls would be nice.” County staff are seeking more guidance from the state on the rules.
Third District Supervisor Mike Wills suggested that children adopt the Kelvinball approach more. “The rules of the game are just constructions that are built over time,” he said. “We don’t even know where they came from. છે It is time to adapt. This is the creativity needed in our society to manage this. “
Employees of the county’s Emergencies Operations Center, including Frankovich and Hansel, now provide COVID-19 updates every other week, so the next September 15 meeting will take place.
