Hospital ICU capacity dips below 15%

Regional hospital ICU capacity dips below 15%, Governor’s Stay At Home Order goes into effect Monday, Dec. 7

The state of California reports our Southern California region has dipped below 15% remaining hospital ICU availability, which means the Governor’s new Stay At Home Order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 7.

Currently, Riverside County’s ICU capacity is now at 13.1%.

The new order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes business sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. The order remains in effect for at least 3 weeks. After that period, it will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed weekly after the initial 3-week period.

The Stay At Home Order requires the following sectors must close:

• Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
• Indoor recreational facilities
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Personal care services
• Museums, zoos and aquariums
• Movie theaters
• Wineries
• Bars, breweries and distilleries
• Family entertainment centers
• Cardrooms and satellite wagering
• Live audience sports
• Amusement parks

The following sectors have additional modifications with 100% masking and physical distancing:

• Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
• Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity and no eating or drinking in the stores. Special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Offices: Allow remote work only, except for critical infrastructure where remote is not possible.
• Hotels and lodging will be restricted. More details are expected from the State of California soon.
• Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up or delivery.
• Places of worship and First Amendment activities continue to be allowed outdoors.
• Guidance for schools remains in effect and unchanged.

More information is available by clicking here.

To view the new Regional Stay At Home Order from the California Department of Public Health, click HERE.