City of Brea COVID-19 Community Update July 23, 2020

Orange County Health Care Agency Statistics

As of today, there has been a cumulative total of 302 Brea residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and 5 Brea residents who have passed away from the virus.  According to County statistics, there have been 32,648 confirmed COVID-19 cumulative cases county-wide, 905 of which were newly-reported today. Additionally, there has unfortunately been 543 deaths, with 22 newly-reported today. There have been 380,657 tests administered, with 6,543 reported today. Currently, 690 cases are hospitalized, 233 of which are in the ICU. The County estimates 17,091 individuals have recovered, but this number is speculative.

State Reviewing Waiver Process for Elementary School Exemption

During a press conference for the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Acting Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau shared that the new state guidelines banning in-school instruction in counties on the State Monitoring List includes a waiver provision that could allow elementary schools to open in the Fall for in-person instruction. A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested that elementary school-aged children may have a much lower transmission rate of the virus to others. The California Department of Public Health has advised the County that the State is working on a waiver process and application template. Once these items are finalized, OCHCA will review the materials.

Updated State Operating Guidance for Various Sectors

Amidst mandatory closures for a number of indoor operations and new guidelines for outdoor operations, Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health released updated guidance for Barber Shops, Hair Salons, and other Personal Care Services. The new guidance is meant to provide clarity so that the affected sectors located in counties on the Monitoring List better understand the conditions under which they can offer services. The new State guidance allows hair salons, barbershops, and personal care services (except for electrology, tattooing, and piercing services) to operate outside. Electrology, tattooing, and piercing services must not be provided in the outdoor setting because they are invasive procedures that require a controlled hygienic environment to be performed safely. The State also provided updated guidance for day camps and child care facilities.

What To Do While Awaiting COVID-19 Test Results

The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) is sharing information found here for those awaiting COVID-19 test results or who have received a positive diagnosis. While waiting, those with symptoms should stay home unless seeking medical care, wear a face covering and stay away from others while at home, and monitor their symptoms. The OCHCA suggests writing down all the places the person had been in the past two weeks and listing out who the individual was in contact with. They also state that all positive COVID-19 test results are reported to OCHCA for contact tracing purposes. The OCHCA then contacts the person who tested positive for COVID-19 to see who else might have been exposed. Calls from OCHCA will come from a caller ID that says “CA COVID Team.”

Caring for COVID-19 Positive Family Members

As a reminder, COVID-19 can spread easily when you’re in close contact with someone who is sick. If you’re caring for a family member with COVID-19, do not share dishes, plates, eating utensils, towels, or bedding. Try to also keep at least 6 ft of distance from sick family members.