City of Brea COVID-19 Community Update for October 15

State of California Releases Guidance for Outdoor Gatherings and Upcoming Holidays

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released new guidance for private outdoor gatherings, which now allows up to three households to gather in a social situation at the same time in a single place. In general, the more people from different households a person interacts with at a gathering, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with a COVID-19 infection, symptomatic or asymptomatic, may spread it to others. Public health studies have also shown that the risk of transmission is increased in indoor spaces, particularly when there isn't appropriate ventilation. Unlike indoor spaces, wind and air in outdoor spaces can help reduce spread of the virus from one person to another. The full guidance can be found by clicking here.

CDPH also released guidance this week for safer Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations during COVID-19. The guidance strongly discourages traditional trick-or-treating and encourages families to plan safer alternatives. Suggestions include a candy scavenger hunt at home, scheduling online activities like pumpkin carving and costume contests, and car-based tours of Halloween displays. Click here to review the guidance in full.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau recommends individuals follow the State’s guidance, which strongly discourages trick-or-treating and Halloween parties, stating that they pose a high risk of spreading the virus. Dr. Chau also recommended parents buy candy for their own children and not to hand out edible goods to children outside of their household. Instead, he suggested that adults who decide to celebrate provide non-edible goods such as pencils, small toys, and books in place of candy. Since the onset of the pandemic, Brea has been following State and County guidance to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

 
Orange County Health Care Agency Statistics

Today, the County is reporting 3 new COVID-19 cases in Brea. This brings the City’s cumulative total to 533 residents who have tested positive, and 9 residents who have passed away from the virus. According to County statistics, there have been 56,436 confirmed COVID-19 cumulative cases county-wide, 153 of which were newly-reported today. Additionally, there has unfortunately been 1,391 cumulative deaths to date, with 31 newly-reported today. Currently, 164 cases are hospitalized, 64 of which are in the ICU. The County estimates 50,459 individuals have recovered, but that number is speculative.

 
Orange County Remains in Red Tier 2 of State Re-Opening Framework

Orange County remains in the Red Tier 2 of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy re-opening framework. In the following metrics that determine movement through the State’s re-opening framework, Orange County currently has an average of 4.6 daily COVID-19 positive cases per 100,000 people and an average testing positivity percentage of 3.5%. The next less-restrictive tier, Orange Tier 3, requires counties to have between 1 – 3.9 daily COVID-19 positive cases per 100,000 people and a test positivity percentage between 2 – 4.9%. Therefore, Orange County remains in the Red Tier 2. The County needs to maintain both metrics of the Orange Tier for 2 consecutive weeks, as well as meeting the new health equity metric, prior to officially moving into the next tier. 

Keep Yourself and Our Community Safe

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, we encourage the community to continue complying with all State and County health orders, as well as using best health practices. Stay vigilant and follow the best practices listed below.

• Wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
• Wear a face covering.                                      
• Disinfect commonly-touched surfaces, such as cell phones, door knobs, light switches, keys, etc.
• Physically distance from those you do not live with.