LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer said Monday that the state has delayed by one week moving the county into the most restrictive tier in its Blueprint for a Safer Economy following a spike in local COVID-19 cases and several more deaths in recent weeks.
Dr. Gary Pace said last week that, based on information from the state, Lake County was set to be moved fully into the purple tier, the highest when assessing COVID-19 transmission risk, as early as Tuesday, as Lake County News has reported.
For the weeks of Sept. 6 to 12 and Sept. 13 to 19 Lake County’s case and positivity rates put it in line for greater restrictions.
However, Pace said many of those cases were associated with a single outbreak, referring to the situation at a skilled nursing facility, Lakeport Post Acute.
The California Department of Public Health reported the outbreak has resulted in 37 residents and 22 staffers testing positive, with Lake County Public Health confirming seven residents have died.
Pace said Monday that the state agreed to grant Lake County another week – Sept. 20 to 26 – to observe whether the case rate in the general population stays high.
“Data for Sept. 20 to 26 is still coming in, but it is probable we will move to the purple tier Tuesday, Oct. 6, with businesses having three additional days to comply. Business owners are encouraged to plan for this,” Pace said.
If the county is moved into that higher tier, Pace said businesses and enterprises considered high-risk must move all services outdoors. That includes restaurants, movie theaters, worship services and gyms/fitness centers, etc.
Select a purple tier county (such as Butte) to see all restrictions on the state website.
Pace said schools that have opened for on-site learning prior to the county joining the purple tier can stay open.
Schools offering remote learning only will have to wait until the county returns to the red tier – which has to be sustained over two consecutive seven-day reporting periods – to offer on-site instruction, Pace said.
“We are all tired and frustrated by how long the COVID-19 pandemic has endured, but rising cases mean we all must observe recommended and mandated precautions. COVID-19 can be serious, even fatal. If it continues to spread, we will be forced to further limit activities. The state will get increasingly involved in local affairs,” Pace said.
“We all want to be free to live our lives. Right now, we promote that when we wear a mask, keep a safe distance and avoid gatherings, particularly indoors, with people outside of our households,” as well as by taking special care if working with vulnerable people, Pace said.
“Our actions make a difference,” he said.
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State gives Lake County one-week reprieve from increased COVID-19 restrictions
- Elizabeth Larson
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