City of Brea COVID-19 Community Update, December 10

Regional Stay-at-Home Order in Effect for Southern California Region

On Saturday, December 5, the State reported that ICU capacity in the Southern California Region dropped below the 15% threshold that triggers the Regional Stay-at-Home Order. As a result, Orange County residents were placed under the State’s Regional Stay-at-Home Order at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, and it will remain in effect for at least three weeks. As of today, the Southern California Region has 9.9% ICU capacity available.

 
As a reminder, the Regional Stay-at-Home Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations, except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. This week, the Order was revised to allow outdoor playgrounds to remain open. More information on this order from the State regarding outdoor recreational facilities and playgrounds can be found by clicking here.

 
Orange County Health Care Agency Statistics

Today, the County is reporting 11 new COVID-19 cases in Brea. This brings the City’s cumulative total to 1,008 residents who have tested positive. Of the total confirmed cases, 83 children have contracted the virus. Unfortunately, 13 Brea residents have passed away due to COVID. According to County statistics, there have been 94,647 confirmed COVID-19 cumulative cases county-wide, 1,521 of which were newly-reported today. Additionally, there has unfortunately been 1,640 cumulative deaths to date, with 7 newly-reported today. Currently, 1,025 cases are hospitalized, 257 of which are in the ICU. The County estimates 64,054 individuals have recovered, but that number is speculative.

Orange County currently has an average of 30.3 daily COVID-19 positive cases per 100,000 people and a testing positivity percentage of 10.6%. The County is reporting a 16.2% positivity rate for its most disadvantaged neighborhoods, known as the health equity quartile positivity rate.

 
 
County Expands At-Home, Saliva-Based COVID-19 Testing to All Orange County Residents

The OC Health Care Agency has launched phase 2 of its at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program with Ambry Genetics for all Orange County residents. The County’s phase 1 at-home test kit program began on November 23, and approximately 12,000 kits were made available to cities hit hardest by the pandemic — Santa Ana and Anaheim. After reviewing utilization data from the initial success of phase 1, the Orange County Board of Supervisors Testing Ad Hoc Committee recommended that they make this free testing service immediately available countywide. Click here to read the OCHCA’s press release on this topic.

 
Orange County to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines

The County of Orange is expecting to receive 25,350 doses of the Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine on December 15 from the California Department of Public Health (CPDH). The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) will distribute this initial supply to Orange County hospitals for prioritization of their high-risk health care workers as part of Phase 1a of a multi-phased plan developed through the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. Click here to read the press release from the OCHCA.

 
State Launches Expansion of CA Notify

On Monday, Governor Newsom announced the statewide launch of CA Notify, a new digital tool that aims to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Starting today, Californians can opt-in to receive COVID-19 notifications on their cell phone, informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. More information on this announcement can be found by clicking here.

 
State Metrics

During Governor Newsom’s press conference this past Monday, it was stated that on top of the current surge in cases, the State is also beginning to see the initial effects of the Thanksgiving holiday, as it relates to positive COVID-19 cases. Today, California is reporting 29,677 new cases and 220 deaths related to the virus in the past 24 hours. The test positivity rate over the past 14 days is 9.0%. On Monday, Governor Newsom also shared that there was a 72% increase in hospitalizations and a 69% increase in ICU admissions over the last 14 days.

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.