Government Gavin Newsom has delivered an update on COVID-19 in California. Watch the full video above and read the highlights below.
LATEST CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS
There was 29,633 new COVID-19 cases in California in the most recent reporting period as of Sunday, but Government Newsom noted that it appears to be low, possibly due to delays caused by the holiday period. The seven day average is still up 37,845 new COVID-19 cases per day.
The average number daily tests executed dropped to 285 500 last week, but 421,000 tests were done on Saturday and 314,000 on Sunday. The positivity rate is by 12.4% the last two weeks.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 grows more slowly, with a 18% increase the last two weeks. Newsom, however, noted that it is likely to be a silence ahead of a ‘boom on top of the boom’ due to new cases and hospitalizations related to the holiday. There was a ICU increase by 22% the last two weeks.
Newsom noted that hospitalizations have increased by a multiple of seven over the past two months, while ICU numbers have increased by a multiple of six.
Meanwhile, it ICU capacity remains at 0% in both Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley, which means these areas use their training capacity.
There was 97 deaths due to COVID-19 in the most recent reporting period, but it is likely to be low due to delays in weekends and holidays. There was a average 336 deaths per day last week, with 3,959 COVID-19 deaths in the past two weeks. The disease is currently more deadly than it was at any previous stage in this pandemic, Newsom said.
Nearly 1,300 state and federal personnel have been deployed to local areas across the state to help with the response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 BELKSTOFPLAN
The governor said California is aggressively speeding up the administration of vaccines. The plan to do so is by directly involving the healthcare system.
The plan includes distributing the vaccine through:
- Dentist
- Pharmacy technologies
- National guards
- Pharmacies
- Clinic and doctor partnerships
The state almost received 1.3 million doses of vaccine so far, with another 611,500 doses arriving this week. The state gave 454,306 of the vaccine doses so far to humans.
Newsom said the state had more trouble distributing the Moderna vaccine than the Pfizer vaccine.
The state is still working through phase 1A of vaccinations, which are about three million people, which includes health workers and long-term caregivers. Phase 1B includes about eight million people, while Phase 1C is expected to be a much larger group.
Phase 1B Tier 1 includes people aged 75 and over, workers in education and child care, emergency services, food and agriculture. Further details of this next level will be announced on Wednesday.
Phase 1B Level Two those over 65, as well as employees in transport / logistics, industrial, residential and commercial shelter facilities / services, critical manufacturing, prisoners and the homeless.
Phase 1C includes 50+, 16-64 with underlying medical conditions and / or disability, as well as workers in water / waste management, defense, energy, communications and IT, financial services, chemicals / hazardous substances and government activities / community service. While this phase will be discussed on Wednesday, full details will only appear later.
The Municipal Vaccine Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss Phase 1B, the implementation of the 1C and operational details on the administration of the vaccine. You can find the booking at covid19.ca.gov.
BUDGET FOR EXHIBITION COVID-19
Newsom said the state’s current budget includes a proposed $ 300 million for vaccines. This includes funding for:
- Information Technology: CALVAX end-to-end vaccine management
- Logistics and commodities: transport containers, dry ice, freezers, and more
- Public education campaign: involve public and key stakeholders through a culturally competent campaign
Newsom noted that dry ice storage is still a problem for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, despite the fact that Moderna does not need to store in such cold temperatures in distribution facilities.
Newsom will send its budget for 2021-22 to the Legislature this week, with more details coming Friday.
THE APPLICATION OF THE HOME ORDER
Mobility during the New Year’s Eve weekend decreased by 23% compared to the traffic volume in 2020 before the pandemic. This was similar to numbers seen at the end of March after the original home order.
But the state is also increasing enforcement of the local home order, especially in LA County. The aim is to reduce events / parties in the super spreader and to make sure that bars and restaurants meet the orders. In LA County, efforts are focused on stopping residential gatherings.
MORE INFECTIOUS GENERAL TRIBES IDENTIFIED IN CALIFORNIA
The new strain was detected in California, with four people identified in San Diego, with one admitted to hospital. There were two others identified with the tribe in San Bernardino. Contact detection and investigation of diseases is currently underway. Newsom said others are expected to be identified this afternoon, thanks to the genomics tests.
Early data show that this new strain may be more contagious, but not more serious. The CDC believes that current COVID-19 vaccines will continue to protect against the new strain.
Newsom stressed that the same tactics already used should continue with this new kind: masking, not mixing, not traveling, keeping distance and washing hands.
CALIFORNIA’S OXYGEN STRATEGY
Government Newsom said there are five parts of the state’s oxygen strategy needed due to the possible shortage of oxygen needed to help COVID-19 patients:
- Mitigation / awareness
- Technical assistance
- Great oxygen support
- Home Oxygen Support / Hospital Discharge Support
- System acquisition
The state has created a state oxygen team as part of its efforts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been deployed to assist oxygen in various areas, including five facilities in Los Angeles County.
CALIFORNIA TELEPHONE EXPOSURE NOTICES
To date, eight million Californians have activated the CA Notify service on their phones, indicating that 20% of the state participates in it. Newsom has encouraged Californians to add your phone.
SMALL BUSINESS CONDITIONS
Newsom said thousands of small businesses have already applied for government funding to support them through the pandemic, with $ 500 million in grants for small businesses. The first application round has been extended to January 13, with grants ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 25,000 and daily webinars available in multiple languages. You can apply at CAReliefGrant.com, with the grants available to small businesses, which Newsom noted include non-profit organizations and cultural institutions.
More details on support for small businesses appear Friday, such as waiving fees.
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