California’s Bleak Reality

California is reeling from the long expected surge in COVID-19. In Los Angeles, 421,881 cases had been recorded as of last Friday — 7854 new cases since Thursday and 44 deaths in the past 24 period. 2572 persons are hospitalized across the county of more than 12 million. The county’s positivity rate is inching toward 8% — and it is expected to increase in coming days. Los Angeles recorded more COVID-19 cases in one day Thursday than 44 states combined.

The new California stay at home order starts tomorrow.  It is not as sweeping as what the state through in March, but the order prohibits gatherings and requires people to stay home and minimize our interactions with other households as much as possible. The stay at home order is triggered when any of California’s regions intensive care units (ICU) capacity falls below 15%. There are now 5 regions: Southern California, San Joaquin Valley, the Bay Area, Greater Sacramento and rural Northern California. No region has yet hit 15% capacity, but but they all getting very close. Here’s where each of the state’s five regions stood as of Friday:

• Northern California:  18.6%

• Bay Area:   25%

• Sacramento:  22%

• San Joaquin:  19.7%

• Southern Cal :  20.6%

When any region’s ICU capacity hits 15%, further restrictions will be invoked. Hair salons, nail salons, barber shops and other personal care services will have to shut their doors. Hotels will shut down to all non-resident guests. Retail will stay open at 25% capacity. Museums, zoos, aquariums and movie theaters must also close. Grocery stores are limited to 20% capacity. Restaurants are limited to take out or curbside delivery only. Playgrounds will be closed as well. The only open areas include beaches and parks, but mask wearing and social distancing are mandatory. The latest order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom will stay in place for three weeks.