Orange County is one of 41 out of the state's 58 categorized in the COVID-19 "purple zone" by order of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
“The counties have no control over that other than controlling the numbers that the state uses in order to decide in which tier to put counties in,” Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Andrew Do said. “So, in Orange County, we have to abide by guidelines that are appropriate for the tier we have been assigned and we do our best to live within those guidelines.”
Effective immediately, purple tier restrictions include limiting indoor retailers and malls to 25% capacity while closing food courts, for instance.
“By controlling the spread of COVID-19, we help to protect our economy,” Do told journalists during a Nov. 17 press conference. “There are a lot of business owners and family residents who are suffering greatly because of COVID-19 and what it has done to our economy and our society in shutting it down.”
The California Department of Public Health reported 1,102,033 coronavirus cases and 18,676 deaths statewide, as of November 22.
“While it was expected for there to be an increase in cases as the cold weather came upon us, Orange County has adequate hospital capacity to care for patients,” Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel told the Southern California Record.
In Orange County alone, there were 69,021 coronavirus cases and 1,551 deaths as of Nov. 22.
“The residents of Orange County have remained vigilant about wearing masks, social distancing, and following health guidelines and I continue to ask them to do so,” Steel said in an interview. “We’ve done very well so far and I have faith in the residents of Orange County to continue following these health guidelines.”
Purple tier guidelines include not gathering with more than three healthy households in all activities, according to a statement online.
“Thanksgiving usually opens the holiday season and in pretty rapid succession you have, within a month, three major holidays where people tend to congregate or get together with friends and family and so there's a greater likelihood that the amplification effect will compound the challenges that we face not just with COVID-19 but also with the flu season too,” Do said. “The risk that our health system can be overwhelmed is very high. This is the time for us to really be very cognizant of what we're doing. Be very responsible. Take steps to protect ourselves and those we love.”
Do added that a local plan for comprehensive coronavirus testing would be paid for by CARES Act funding.
“We anticipate there will be another round of stimulus funds being approved in Congress,” he said. “The question is really about the amount as opposed to whether or not we will have one because I think we will. There's a great likelihood that, especially with the rise in COVID cases throughout the nation, that there will be funding for further testing initiatives.”