Berkeley: As Cases Surge And Hospital Capacity Shrinks, State Extends Restrictions

Berkeley CA

12 January, 2021

9:31 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Berkeley: January 08, 2021 Press Contact: Matthai Chakko, (510) 981-7008 Taking action to stay home for all but essential activities will help region recover faster Berkeley, California (Friday, January 08, 2021) - COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly escalate in Berkeley and throughout the region, straining hospitals and keeping state "stay home" restrictions in place until intensive care units are freed up. The impact in the region is broad: hospital intensive care units only have 3 percent of capacity remaining. But the impact of the staggering surge can be seen in Berkeley alone: There have been a thousand new cases in the last two months - equaling the tally of the previous eight months combined. There have been 6 reported deaths in the last two weeks - compared to 9 deaths in almost all of 2020. The City had 68 reported cases on Tuesday, the highest single day tally of the pandemic. The nature of the virus means that the worst is yet to come. The impact of holiday and New Year's gatherings are not yet completely felt. The narrow path forward - and one required by the state's Stay Home order - is that everyone stay home for all but essential tasks. "The virus silently travels with the movements of people," said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. "The quicker we act, the faster we recover as a community and region." The emergency, temporary measures outlined in the state order affect industries ranging from restaurants, which are limited to take-out and delivery, to hair salons and personal care services, which will remain closed. Everyone who can telecommute must do so to protect those who cannot. ICU capacity is one of the final impacts of a cascading set of events set in motion by this virus. Many infected people have no symptoms, making it seem benign, but nonetheless account for 50 percent of all COVID-19 infections nationwide. This quick spread casts a net so wide that just those with severe illness now leave the entire state's ICU capacity at 0 percent capacity. We each may be unknowing carriers and spreaders. We also each hold the power to control the spread. Take action now as full impact of surge not yet known The state is lifting regional stay at home orders when a four-week projection of ICU capacity is at least 15 percent across all the counties in the region: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma. ICU capacity projections for regions that are eligible to exit the order are calculated daily based on four factors: current estimated regional ICU capacity available, measure of current community transmission, current regional case rates and the proportion of ICU cases being admitted. This surge does not yet reflect the full impact of holiday travel and gatherings. It can take two weeks for the virus to be detectable by a test or for symptoms to emerge after an exposure. Hospitalizations typically follow two to three weeks later. "With more cases than ever, the need to take precautions is more urgent," said Dr. Hernandez. "Doing so not only protects you and your loved ones, but it lessens the spread that requires these local restrictions." Keep up with City of Berkeley news via our News page, email or Follow @CityofBerkeley . This press release was produced by the City of Berkeley. The views expressed here are the author's own.