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UPDATE:
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As expected, the dramatic increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Humboldt County on Tuesday prompted state public health officials to place us in the most restrictive purple level, indicating a “widespread risk” As part of California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy”.
The move comes just eight days after Humboldt County was moved from the least restrictive level, or yellow, directly to the red or “substantial” level, as state public health officials pulled the “brakes” emergency ”in an effort to slow the spread.
Forty-five of the state’s 58 counties, including all of Humboldt’s neighbors, are now in the purple level while another eight are in the red. This means that 99.9% of California residents live in “substantial” or “widespread” risk counties.
Graphics via CDPH.
In a live news conference broadcast online at noon Tuesday, California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr Mark Ghaly said cases in California were increasing at a faster rate than ever. “We are in the middle of a wave,” he said.
The latest daily tally of 15,329 statewide cases is close to a record, Ghaly said. Over the past two weeks, there has been a 51% increase in the test positivity rate and an 81.3% increase in hospitalizations related to COVID-19. There are currently 5,844 California residents hospitalized with COVID-19, and Ghaly said we can expect an increase in deaths as well.
So what does turning purple mean for Humboldt County? In short, no more restrictions. With Thanksgiving just two days away, gatherings are limited to three households and must now be held outdoors only. Restaurants, gymnasiums, cinemas, and places of worship are also limited to outdoor operations below the purple level. Retail is limited to 25% of its capacity, compared to 50% in the red level.
A full list of restrictions in each level can be found on the California Department of Public Health website, at this link.
On Facebook, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said it would continue to prioritize “education and voluntary compliance, over criminal enforcement of health orders,” saying it had experienced “enormous success with this approach”.
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ADDENDUM: One thing we neglected to mention is this (as stated by the county in a press release):
Now that Humboldt County is in the purple level, the state’s limited stay at home order will go into effect locally on Wednesday. This ordinance requires residents to refrain from congregating with non-household members and from stopping all non-essential activity between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Members of the same household may leave their homes during this period as long as ‘they do not interact with other households, and activities related to “the operation, maintenance or use of critical infrastructure” are exempt, according to the state decree.
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