SACRAMENTO, Calif. — San Joaquin Valley and Southern California stay-at-home orders extended
The San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Regions stay-at-home orders were extended on Tuesday as both regions' ICU capacity remains at 0%.
Both orders had the potential to be extended after the three-week mark ended. Dr. Ghaly said in a press conference today that because ICU and hospital demand is not decreasing in either region, both stay-at-home orders will remain until projected ICU capacity is "above or equal to 15% in four weeks."
Due to the extended stay-at-home orders, California State Parks announced on Twitter that state campgrounds in those regions will remain closed. Anyone who has a reservation should be contacted about a refund.
Latest California coronavirus numbers show cases continuing to rise, ICU bed capacity fluctuating across the state
The most recent update to the state's coronavirus numbers shows cases and deaths are continuing to rise. 31,245 new cases were reported on Tuesday statewide.
At the same time, an update on ICU bed capacity suggests different things are happening in different parts of the state. While San Joaquin Valley and Southern California remain at zero-percent capacity, the Greater Sacramento Region is trending upwards at 19.1% (up from 16.6%), as is the Bay Area.
Here are the most recent coronavirus case numbers:
Total cases: 2,187,221 total
31,245 today
1.4% increase from prior day total
Total deaths: 24,526 total
242 today
1% increase from prior day total
Total tests: 32,374,471 total
245,955 today
0.8% increase from prior day total
Here are the most recent ICU capacity percentages:
- Bay Area: 10.4% (up from 9.5%)
- Greater Sacramento Region: 19.1% (up from 16.6%)
- Northern California: 27.9% (down from 29.3%)
- San Joaquin Valley: 0% (static)
- Southern California: 0% (static)
California puts $500 million in grants toward helping small businesses amid pandemic
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in late November the creation of a $500 million COVID-19 Relief Grant program aimed at helping small businesses through the pandemic. The website for the program is now live.
Small businesses and non-profits can apply for grants of up to $25,000 beginning Wednesday, Dec. 30 through Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. A second round of applications will also happen, though that timeframe has not yet been determined.
The program partners businesses with a local association or center—for example, the California Small Business Development Center or the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Several of these partners are offering online tutorials and Q&A sessions on the relief grant for people in need. Get more information or apply for a grant here.
ICUs in San Joaquin County are operating at 145% of bed capacity
COVID-19 hospitalizations are taking a toll on San Joaquin County's hospital system, with the county's Emergency Medical Services Agency reporting that adult intensive care units are operating at 145% of bed capacity.
San Joaquin County reports that 58% of those ICU patients are COVID-19 positive, and 7 patient deaths have occurred due to the virus in the last 24 hours.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris receives the first dose of the Moderna vaccine
Harris encouraged others to get the vaccine upon receiving her first dosage, saying that it was relatively painless, quick and safe.
"It is literally about saving lives," Harris said. "I trust the scientists."
Sacramento among prisons with fewest active cases in California State Prison system
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is reporting new case numbers among prison inmates and staff.
Sacramento is seeing a relatively low case count among inmates with 215 total confirmed cases, 61 cases being in the last 14 days. Sacramento is also reporting zero deaths. Employee and staff total 74 active cases, with 72 of those having been reported in the last 14 days.
Total inmate cases:
- 38,380 total confirmed cases.
- 6,800 new cases in the last 14 days.
- 8,288 active in-custody cases.
Total inmate deaths: 120 deaths.
Total employee cases:
- 11,537 total confirmed cases.
- 4,051 active cases.
Total employee deaths: 11 deaths.
California Professional Firefighters President breaks down vaccine distribution
As first responders, some California firefighters could be receiving the coronavirus vaccine soon.
President of the California Professional Firefighters Brian K. Rice said in a video message that the state considers firefighters to be part of Phase 1-A for receiving the vaccine, meaning counties could soon be distributing doses to these frontline workers.
"This is a treacherous virus that has taken too much from too many of our families, and now there is finally a ray of hope with a vaccine that is being distributed to the frontlines now," Rice said.
Rice urged fellow firefighters to follow local union and department protocol when it comes to getting the vaccine. He also spoke of misinformation regarding the vaccine, noting that firefighters and other frontline workers can educate the public on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine technology.
CORONAVIRUS AND VACCINE RESOURCES AND ANSWERS:
- San Joaquin County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Yolo County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Stanislaus County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Sacramento County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Q&A: Why wear a mask after you've been vaccinated?
- Can my employer require the COVID-19 vaccine? | Q&A with workers rights attorney
- Q&A: How do the COVID-19 vaccines work? Are they like the flu vaccine, will there be side effects?
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WATCH MORE: 'Self-evident' that stay-at-home orders likely to be extended San Joaquin Valley, most of California
Stanislaus County is still expecting a spike in COVID-19 cases followed by a spike in hospitalizations after the holidays.