San Francisco’s director of public health said Thursday the amount of the region COVID-19 cases remain at a dangerous level, with an average of at least 242 new infections per day – an increase of 27% in the past week. Dr. Grant Colfax also said the Bay Area will face a “catastrophic situation” in the coming weeks if the spread of the coronavirus does not stop, warning that the number of ICU beds in the area is running low.
“We’ve had a significant increase (in COVID cases) since Thanksgiving,” Colfax said, adding that the number of daily cases has increased 15% since the end of November. “We still have time to turn this dire situation around.”
“An increase during this next holiday season could put us over the edge in a truly catastrophic situation,” said Colfax. “We cannot afford a further increase in the number of cases.”
The Bay Area region has 13.1% remaining ICU capacity with a total of 286 ICU beds available to San Francisco, Colfax said, adding that 207 ICU beds are occupied with patients.
“The availability of beds and adequate staff and nurses and doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system … and this status is under serious threat,” he said. Imagine not having a hospital bed for your mother or your father, your grandmother or even your child. Imagine they are receiving non-optimal care. I know none of us want our city to be in that situation. ‘
Overall, the remaining ICU capacity in California was just 3%, with the Southern California region at zero, the San Joaquin Valley region at 0.7%, and the Greater Sacramento region at 11.3%.
Meanwhile, much of the Bay Area – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, along with the city of Berkeley – already passed the state housing decision on December 7, well before the region subsides. the 15% ICU capacity threshold set by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month.
Wednesday’s drop in ICU capacity meant that other areas – Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Solano counties – that did not follow the tighter restrictions would now be covered by the tighter rules.
Health officials in Solano, San Mateo and Napa counties have issued statements saying they would enforce the state-imposed regional home obligation starting at 11:59 p.m. local time Thursday.
The stay-at-home order has the following restrictions:
- Close indoor and outdoor private gatherings of all sizes
- Close industry activities, except for critical infrastructure and retail
- Requires 100% masking and physical distance
- Prohibits non-essential travel
- Close all diners inside and out at restaurants (delivery and takeaway meals still available)
The order remains in effect for at least three weeks. After the three weeks, the order can be canceled if the expected ICU capacity of the region is 15% or more.
Also on Thursday, officials announced a mandatory 10-day quarantine for anyone traveling out of town. CBS San Francisco reported that the travel order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, December 18. It is currently scheduled to end on Monday, January 4, 2020 at 12:01 AM.
