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Sacramento County issues order suspending in-person, public meetings as COVID cases increase

Sacramento County issued a health order Thursday requiring public meetings to happen virtually rather than in person.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento County issued a health order Thursday suspending in-person, public meetings, requiring them to be conducted virtually because of "unprecedented COVID-19 case rates in Sacramento County."

According to a press release from the county, all public boards, councils, commissions, and other similar bodies are required to follow the order. The county is also advising businesses to consider conducting meetings remotely.

Sacramento County has had an indoor mask order since July 29, 2021 and it remains in effect.

"This is a measured step that we can take that would allow us to continue providing access to public services without cutting off that access." Said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County's Public Health Officer.

This order comes as COVID-19 cases are increasing in the county, especially compared to the winter surge in 2020. Sacramento County reached a record high case rate on Jan. 4, 2022, of 80.3 cases per 100,000 people.

"The numbers have gone up a lot faster than they have in past surges, we don't know when we will hit that peak." Dr. Kasirye said.

During a press conference Thursday, Dr. Kasirye said the emergence of the contagious omicron variant coupled with holiday gatherings and travels have resulted in a sharp increase in cases. 

"We do anticipate for the next couple of weeks that we will continue to see an increase," Dr. Kasirye said. "That's why it's really import that all businesses look at their operations to see how they can continue to protect their employees."

The county's COVID-19 dashboard indicates that deaths are continuing in a downward trajectory from the previous increase in August and September.

With wait times at some testing sites in the county ranging from two to three hours, local health officials say they are adding staffing and advocating for additional supplies from the state. 

At the same time as testing sites are increasing staffing, staff members have also been calling out sick after having contracted the virus, according to Sacramento County Public Health officials.

"Even when we're adding supplies and staffing it's hard to keep up" said Liz Gomez, Sacramento County's Public Health Planner.

Dr. Kasirye says the county does not plan on any additional measures at the moment and will prioritize keeping schools open, but asks that business in the county limit risk to employees. 

"The virus is the one that determines what is going to happen," Dr. Kasirye said. "Just as we've been surprised before with previous surges and previous variants, I think it's important for us to continue to be very vigilant."

RELATED: California indoor mask mandate extended to Feb. 15

For more information about COVID-19 in Sacramento County, visit the public health website.

For a list of vaccination clinics visit the MyTurn website. Homebound residents can contact 2-1-1 to request in-home vaccination services.

View Sacramento's COVID-19 dashboard here.

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