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Governor Gavin Newsom provided an update on COVID-19 in California. Watch the full video above and read the highlights below.
LATEST CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS
There was 29633 new COVID-19 cases in California in the last Sunday reporting period, but Gov. Newsom noted they appear to be low, a potential result of delays caused by the holiday season. The seven-day average is still 37,845 new cases of COVID-19 per day.
The average number of daily tests led fell to 285,500 over the past week, but 421,000 tests were performed on Saturday and 314,000 on Sunday. the positivity rate is at 12.4% over the past two weeks.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 develop more slowly, with a 18% increase over the past two weeks. However, Newsom noted that this is likely a lull before a “skyrocket” due to new cases and hospitalizations associated with the holidays. There was one 22% increase in intensive care admissions over the past two weeks.
Newsom noted that in the past two months, hospitalizations have increased by a multiple of seven, while the number of intensive care units has increased by a multiple of six.
Meanwhile, ICU capacity remains at 0% at a time Southern california and the San Joaquin Valley, which means these areas are using their surge capacity.
There was 97 dead due to COVID-19 in the last reporting period, but it’s likely low due to delays in weekend and holiday reporting. There was one average of 336 deaths per day over the past week, with 3,959 deaths from COVID-19 in the past two weeks. The disease is currently deadlier than it has been at any time during this pandemic, Newsom said.
Nearly 1,300 state and federal personnel have been deployed to local areas of the state to assist in the response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 VACCINE PLAN
The governor said California is actively working to speed up the pace of vaccine administration. The plan to achieve this is to involve the health system more directly.
The plan includes the distribution of the vaccine by:
- Dentists
- Pharmacy technicians
- Members of the National Guard
- Pharmacies
- Clinical and physician partnerships
The state received nearly 1.3 million doses of vaccine so far, with 611,500 more doses arriving this week. The state gave 454,306 of those doses of vaccine to people to date.
Newsom said the state has had more difficulty distributing the Moderna vaccine than the Pfizer vaccine.
The state continues to work through Phase 1A immunizations, which affects about three million people, which includes healthcare workers and long-term care residents. Phase 1B is about eight million people, while Phase 1C is expected to be a much larger group.
Phase 1B level one includes people aged 75 and over, education and child care workers, emergency services, food and agriculture. Further details on this next level will be announced on Wednesday.
Phase 1B level two includes those aged 65 and over, as well as workers in transportation / logistics, industrial, residential and commercial accommodation facilities / services, critical manufacturing, incarcerated and homeless people.
Phase 1C includes 50+, 16-64 year olds with underlying medical conditions and / or disabilities, as well as workers in water / waste management, defense, energy, communications and computing, financial services, chemicals / hazardous materials, and government operations / community services. While this phase is being discussed on Wednesday, full details will not come until later.
The Community Vaccine Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss Phase 1B, 1C deployment, and operational details of vaccine administration. You can find this discussion at covid19.ca.gov.
COVID-19 VACCINE BUDGET
Newsom said the state’s current budget includes a proposal of more than $ 300 million for vaccines. This includes funding for:
- Information technology: end-to-end vaccine management CALVAX
- Logistics and commodities: transport containers, dry ice, freezers, etc.
- Public awareness campaign: involve the public and key stakeholders through a “culturally competent” campaign
Newsom noted that storage of dry ice continues to be an issue for both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, although Moderna does not need to be stored at such a cold temperature in distribution facilities.
Newsom is expected to send its 2021-22 budget to the legislature this week, with more details coming Friday.
EXECUTION OF THE HOME STAY ORDER
Mobility over the New Year’s Eve weekend was down 23% from the traffic volume in 2020 before the pandemic. It was similar to the numbers seen at the end of March after the initial stay-at-home order.
But the state is also stepping up enforcement of the regional home support order, particularly in LA County. The goal is to reduce super-spreader events / parties and to ensure bars and restaurants are in compliance with orders. In LA County, efforts have been focused on closing residential gatherings.
MORE CONTAGIOUS COVID STRAIN IDENTIFIED IN CALIFORNIA
The new strain was detected in California, with four people identified in San Diego, including one hospitalized. There were two other people identified with the strain in San Bernardino. Contact treatment and disease investigations are currently underway. Newsom said more should be identified by this afternoon, thanks to ongoing genomic testing.
The first data shows that this new strain may be more contagious, but is not more severe. The CDC believes that current COVID-19 vaccines will still protect against the new strain.
Newsom stressed that the same tactics that are already in use must continue with this new variety: masking, not mixing, not traveling, keeping your distance and washing your hands.
CALIFORNIA’S OXYGEN STRATEGY
Governor Newsom said the state’s oxygen strategy has five parts, necessary because of potential shortages due to the large amount of oxygen needed to help patients with COVID-19:
- Mitigation / awareness
- Technical assistance
- Bulk oxygen support
- Home oxygen assistance / Hospital discharge assistance
- System provision
The state has established a state oxygen team as part of its efforts. The US Army Corps of Engineers has been deployed to provide oxygen to several regions, including five facilities in Los Angeles County.
CALIFORNIA PHONE EXPOSURE NOTIFICATIONS
So far, eight million Californians have activated the CA Notify service on their phones, indicating that 20% of the state is participating. Newsom encouraged Californians to add your phone to the effort.
SMALL BUSINESS SUBSIDIES
Newsom said thousands of small businesses have already applied for public funding to support them during the pandemic, with $ 500 million in grants to small businesses. The first round of applications has been extended until January 13, with grants ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 25,000 and daily webinars available in multiple languages. You can apply on CAReliefGrant.com, with Grants Open to Small Businesses, which Newsom says includes nonprofits and cultural institutions.
More details on small business support are expected to be released on Friday, such as the removal of fees.
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