Orange County at risk of reverting to most restrictive purple level as COVID-19 infection rates rise

SANTA ANA, California – It’s not that Orange County reported 335 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths on Wednesday, which could send it back into the most restrictive purple level of the state’s coronavirus measures. After all, the positivity rate was actually down on Wednesday, albeit slightly.

However, the trend is troubling, particularly at the UCI Family Health Center in Santa Ana, where the infection rate has increased by 11% in one week.

Santa Ana and Anaheim continue to be the OC cities with the highest infection rate, especially among Latinos.

Dr Jose Mayorga explained that the clinic is located in the middle of a Latinx community, where many people went on to do essential jobs because they couldn’t afford not to.

An editable message board from Caltrans (CMS) is warning motorists on Interstate 5 not to crowd together as the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increases across the country. (Photo by DAVID MCNEW / AFP via Getty Images)

We asked if more people testing could explain the jump, after all there was pressure to have more people tested. While believing that this might play a role, he added that it’s no surprise that the numbers are rising, faster than usual, around 10 days after Halloween.

Contact tracing seems to indicate that more and more people are flocking together as the holidays approach – frightening health officials.

They are already expecting the trend on the East Coast, where cold weather has been one of the factors behind the dramatic increase in COVID-19 infections. Health experts believe this same trend will eventually affect our numbers in California.

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But to keep things in perspective, the number of people recovering from the virus is also increasing. The change in the three-day mean of inpatients actually decreased – from 13.7% to 16.6%. Doctors catch the virus and treat it more effectively, before and even after patients are hospitalized.

“We know a lot more about the virus,” said Dr Mayorga, quickly adding that “we don’t know much about the aftermath of COVID yet”.

He feels positive about vaccine trials, but urges people not to be complacent.

The best way to stop Orange County from going back to purple level (and shutting down indoor access to restaurants and gyms, for example), is for people to do whatever they can to stop the spread. Still, he fears Orange County will be back in the purple before the end of the year, if trends continue.

Masks, especially if people are gathering for the holidays, are important, he says.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines for Thanksgiving celebrations.

The updated CDC guidelines include considerations for slowing the spread of the virus during small gatherings, but say they are intended to supplement, not replace, local health and safety laws and regulations.

RELATED: CDC Releases Updated Thanksgiving Guidelines Focused On Small Household Gatherings

The CDC said celebrating virtually or with members of your own household posed the lowest risk of spread during the holidays. Bringing together family members or friends from different households, including returning students, presents varying levels of risk.

The organization has recommended holding Thanksgiving gatherings outside rather than indoors, and it is also encouraged to require guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking. . If you’re having an indoor rally, the CDC says to increase ventilation as much as possible by opening windows and doors.

RELATED: Stay up to date on all coronavirus related information