COVID-19 State Policy Update 04.14.20

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom held his hour- long daily briefing to “lay out parameters and tools needed before the state would modify California’s stay-at-home orders and other broad COVID-19 interventions.”

The Governor began his remarks by stating, “Our strategy of containment began with repatriation flights from China.  Then mitigation strategies with stay-at-home orders, physical distancing.  We then started to move to phase three, surging our hospital and alternative care systems to meet potential demand.  This included protective gear and staff.  The next phase, the phase I will speak about today, is the phase I would frame as an optimistic phase.  We move from surge and we transition into suppression, ultimately on our way to herd immunity, then a vaccine/immunizations.  We do see light at the end of the tunnel.

As the Governor was speaking, his press office issued a release detailing California’s six indicators for modifying the stay-at-home order. A copy of the Governor’s Office press release can be found here.  The indicators include: 

  1. The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed;
  2. The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19;
  3. The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges;
  4. The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand;
  5. The ability for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and
  6. The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.

Dr. Sonia Y. Angell, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer, offered additional information on the six indicators using the attached visual slides.  In terms of what is in store next, she said things will not look the same.  For example, face coverings will become more likely in public.  Restaurants might have fewer tables.  Intervention programs to help “contact tracing” will be enhanced.

In terms of when this will this happen, Governor Newsom said everything depends on whether the state can answer those framework questions.  Further, local governments will get a greater say about what is best for their community.  “We have a state vision. But it will be realized at the local level, local governments, local counties,” he said. 

Additionally, he said before the statewide stay-at-home order is limited hospitalization numbers need to flatten.  Specifically, the intensive care unit (ICU) numbers need to come down.  In terms of the latest figures, the Governor reported that the total ICU numbers declined yesterday by 0.1 percent, 1,177 individuals total.  Further, there was a modest increase of 3.6 percent in hospitalizations.  Additionally, the number of PUIs – person under investigation – has also start to come down. The Governor said this combination of factors is encouraging.  

In two weeks, at the start of May, he said California will be “in a very different place where we can be more prescriptive with a timeline.”  However, the Governor warns  “Normal? It will not be.  Until we have herd immunity or a vaccine….  We’re going to have to get used to ordering from a waiter with gloves on, where we might have to get our temperature taken when we enter an establishment.”   He went on to say that schools may have to stagger schedules/start times, make arrangements to have fewer students outside at recess/PE and in the cafeteria for lunch/breakfast, but the details are still in the works, including talking to the teachers unions. He also said that deep cleaning will be necessary before opening, cleaning everything, parks, schools, and other places.

It was also stated that a new economic team will be announced later this week.  The Governor promises we will hear more about how the state will work to jumpstart our economy soon.

During the Q&A, he was asked about mass gatherings.  He said in June, July, August, it is not likely that we will see big social gatherings.

In responding to questions regarding President Trump’s insistence yesterday that he’ll make the decision on re-opening efforts, he said “I’m not going there…We just want to get stuff done in the state of California.”

On testing, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services (HHS) Dr. Mark Ghaly said at the end of the month, the state wants “tens of thousands” of tests per day.  He hopes serological testing will be available soon.  

Following yesterday’s daily briefing,  the Governor’s office issued a press release referencing Child Abuse Prevention Month and outlining additional details regarding the $42 million new investments to protect younger Californians who are at heightened risk for abuse and mistreatment due to COVID-19.  The Governor is making more than $27 million available to help families stay together, nearly $7 million to support social workers and $3 million to support Family Resource Centers.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19, there are a total of 22,348 confirmed positive cases and 687 deaths in California.  As of April 12th, local health departments have reported 2,501 confirmed positive cases in health care workers.  This includes on-the-job exposures, and other exposures, such as travel and close family contact.  More information regarding the most recent COVID-19 statistics can be found here.

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