By 
Spencer Custodian The |
The number of Orange County coronaviruses is increasing as businesses open and various city and county officials seek to restart the local economy in an effort to recover millions of lost tax revenue.
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The increases are particularly impacting Anaheim and Santa Ana. While OC’s two largest cities represent nearly 22 percent of the county’s population, they account for 40 percent of cases.
Although the virus is sweeping both cities, there have been different responses from the two mayors.
The mayor of Santa Ana, Miguel Pulido, highlighted the growing cases of viruses.
“Unfortunately, we lead the county in a category that we don’t want to lead … and we’re moving up fast.” Pulido said in a June 25 video tweeted by the city. “I am going to do much more in the next few days, not just more messages, we are going to have a mask contest. By having people design masks, we will try to raise awareness. We are going to ask people to make videos about the masks and to wear them, why they are important. “
Mayor Miguel A. Pulido and the City of Santa Ana urge everyone to cover their faces while in public. Click on the video for more information.
– City of Santa Ana (@CityofSantaAna) June 18, 2020
Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu has not spoken about the growing number of people in the city.
“Anaheim has faced the challenge of the coronavirus with an unprecedented closure of our city, providing thousands of meals to our older adults and families with loans so that the smallest companies can survive. And eviction and rent aid for those struggling with the crisis, “Sidhu said on a June 15 Facebook video.
Instead of increasing the number of coronaviruses, Sidhu focused on the city’s economic recovery.
“Now we are entering a new stage. We begin our economic recovery while continuing to fight the coronavirus, “said Sidhu. “The closure has impacted many workers and companies. You can help by visiting your favorite restaurants and shops and soon theme parks and hotels. ”
While Sidhu has not recognized the increase in cases, Pulido has.
“We need to keep the curve flat because right now it is a very large peak. I’m working hard with the County, trying to get them to get contact trackers. ” Pulido said in a June 17 video.
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel A. Pulido offers an update on COVID-19. VIDEO IN ENGLISH # SantaAna #CityofSantaAna @SantaAnaPD pic.twitter.com/uOZwGmHDSf
– City of Santa Ana (@CityofSantaAna) June 26, 2020
Sidhu has not said much about the virus in the past two weeks and has instead promoted new development plans unveiled for Angel Stadium and the Honda Center.
When Anaheim City Councilman José Moreno presented data from the OC Health Care Agency showing that the west side neighborhoods were most affected, Sidhu did not ask questions or raise concerns at Tuesday’s council meeting. .
The working-class neighborhoods of West Anaheim are home to a large Latino community, which the virus disproportionately affects not only in OC, but across the country.
“We have a high concentration of overcrowded housing conditions,” said Moreno, who lives in West Anaheim.
“I am not sure where to go with this conversation because you are not surprised, shocked or angry,” Moreno told Sidhu. “Mayor Sidhu says we are fine, Anaheim … and repeats that false narrative tonight that it is because we are a big city with skilled nursing facilities.”
The data Moreno presented leaked nursing home cases, he said.
“Do we have a city public health plan to stop the spread of COVID?” Moreno asked. “I ask you that question, Mr. Mayor, you have been silent throughout this conversation.”
Sidhu finally cut Moreno.
“I’m going to move on. Sorry, Councilman Moreno, you have enough time to discuss this … you can discuss this in your own time, “said Sidhu.” Councilman Moreno, we are done with you. ”
OC Acting Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau had a virtual meeting with Moreno, Councilwoman Denise Barnes and some community organizations about zip code data last week.
Sidhu did not participate in the virtual meeting, while Pulido did.
Meanwhile, the virus has now killed 323 people out of 11,960 confirmed cases, including 17 new deaths reported on Friday, based on updated county numbers.
There were also 451 people hospitalized, including 166 in intensive care units as of Friday.
Approximately 6,800 people have recovered from the virus and nearly 208,000 tests have been conducted across the OC, which is home to approximately 3.2 million people.
During the last 14-day period, the County’s case positivity is also increasing, which is the number of people who test positive for the total number of tests performed at that time.
According to county data, the positivity rate is 8.5 percent and 38 percent of ICU beds are available.
If the county’s positivity rate exceeds 8 percent, state officials can close deals.
The increase in cases in OC and the state causes Governor Gavin Newsom to stop considering Disneyland’s reopening plans, indefinitely delaying the reopening.
We have delayed those guidelines. Disney, to his credit, recognized that and made it public, ”Newsom said at a press conference on Friday. “And there is nothing to suggest … based on those trend lines … that we will move in the short term by pushing even more with those protocols and those announcements.”
Here’s the latest on virus numbers across Orange County from county data:
Spencer Custodio is a reporter for the Voice of OC staff. You can contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio
