City of Brea COVID-19 Community Update for Nov. 12

County Providing COVID Testing for All Residents
All Orange County residents, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, insured or not, are now able to get tested for COVID-19 at a County or State test site. To schedule an appointment, please visit http://ochealthinfo.com/covidtest. Those who test positive will receive information about appropriate next steps, including self-quarantine, which will help to slow the spread of the virus.

County Releases Considerations to Celebrate the Holidays Safely This Year
This week, the Orange County Health Care Agency provided information on how to celebrate the holidays safely during COVID-19. They provided examples of lower, medium, and higher-risk holiday activities and suggestions on what types of activities are safer than others during this season. An informational graphic on this topic is available here, and further information can be found by clicking here.
 
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 630 residents who have tested positive, and 12 residents who have passed away from the virus. According to County statistics, there have been 63,460 confirmed COVID-19 cumulative cases county-wide, 251 of which were newly-reported today. Additionally, there has unfortunately been 1,520 cumulative deaths to date, with 9 newly-reported today. Currently, 251 cases are hospitalized, 89 of which are in the ICU. The County estimates 55,777 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 5.6 daily COVID-19 positive cases per 100,000 people (which is slightly lower than 6 from last week) and a testing positivity percentage of 3.3% (which is slightly lower than 3.6% from last week). The County is also reporting the testing positivity percent that pertains to the health equity metric. The health equity metric, in short, dictates that counties must ensure that the test positivity rates in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods are not significantly higher than the overall county positivity rate. The County is reporting a 5.5% positivity rate for its most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Collectively, these metrics meet the criteria for Orange County to remain in the Red Tier 2.

All of the surrounding counties neighboring Orange County are currently in the most restrictive Purple Tier 1. These counties include, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego. The Orange County Health Care Agency is closely following the metrics that determine movement through the tier system and awaits notification from the State on any future changes to its tier status.
 
State Metrics
Positivity rates have increased all across the country, including in California. If current trends stay the way they are, the State anticipates over half of California counties will move back to a more restrictive tier next week. This past Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly provided the weekly update on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including the changes in county tier status. This week’s changes are shown below:

• Counties moving back to the Purple/Widespread Tier: Sacramento, San Diego, Stanislaus
• Counties moving back to the Red/Substantial Tier: Amador, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Placer, Santa Cruz
• Counties moving back to the Orange/Moderate Tier: Modoc, Siskiyou, Trinity

Governor Newsom shared in his Monday press conference that there has been a 28.6% increase in hospitalizations and a 27.3% increase in ICU’s across the State over the past 14 days. The latest statistics show the State’s 14-day testing positivity rate is 3.9%, which has increased by 0.9% over the past 14 days. While this number is increasing, the national testing positivity rate is estimated to be much higher than California’s at 6.7%.

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, doorknobs, light switches, keys, etc.
• Physically distance from those you do not live with.