Thursday, June 18, 2020

County Reports 36 New COVID-19 Deaths

1,051 new cases confirmed on Thursday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

County health officials confirmed 36 new deaths along with 1,051 new cases of the Coronavirus on Thursday.

To date, 78,227 cases have been reported and 3,027 deaths.

“To the many families who are mourning loved ones lost to COVID-19, please accept our heartfelt sympathies,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health. “COVID-19 has impacted everyone across the county, and we are all feeling exhausted by the safety requirements, yet we still have to find it within ourselves to do our part to protect each other from the spread of the virus. As more sectors re-open, we risk losing all the progress we have made in slowing the spread, if we don’t take every precaution possible to prevent exposing others and ourselves to the virus.”

A modified health officer order and directives for the reopening of additional businesses is being issued today with an effective date of June 19.
The health officer order will allow for the following sectors to reopen once they implement the required protocols for infection control and distancing:

– Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks with no spectators.
– Personal care services including: esthetician, skin care and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading and permanent make-up; and piercing shops; and massage therapy
– Bars, wineries, breweries and tasting rooms

The Health Officer Order contains protocols for all businesses that are permitted to reopen to ensure it is done as safely as possible for employees, customers and residents. Employees and visitors to these businesses will need to wear a cloth face covering when around other people and practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet at all times. Some employees may be required to wear face shields.

It is important for everyone to follow the directives and to do their part every day to keep everyone as safe as possible. Businesses should take the time to put all of the protocols in place before reopening. The directives will be available online and are contained in sector-specific protocols that inform all re-openings.