SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19, including data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity across the state. Based on today’s ICU data, the Greater Sacramento Region newly met the criteria for a Regional Stay at Home Order (RSHO). This RSHO will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on December 10.
The San Joaquin and Southern California regions have already met this criteria and are under a RSHO. These two regions will be eligible to exit from the order and return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on December 28 if ICU capacity projections for the following month are above or equal to 15%. The Greater Sacramento Region will become eligible to exit the RSHO on January 1, 2021.
Under the terms of the order, when ICU capacity drops below 15% in a region, a certain sectors must close by 11:59 p.m. the next day. In addition, a number of sectors in these regions, including restaurants, retail and shopping centers and hotels and lodging, will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing. Critical infrastructure, schools and non-urgent medical and dental care can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures. Details on sector closings or modifications can be found in the frequently asked questions.
Read the full Regional Stay Home Order and Supplement to the Order.
Update on Playgrounds
Playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise. The CDPH guidance on playgrounds remains in effect. Playgrounds located on schools that remain open for in-person instruction, and not accessible by the general public, may remain open and must follow guidance for schools and school-based programs.
Current available ICU capacity by region:
- Bay Area: 20.9%
- Greater Sacramento Region: 14.3%
- Northern California: 27.1%
- San Joaquin Valley: 4.2%
- Southern California: 9.0%
See region map.
Statewide COVID-19 Data as of December 8:
- California has 1,420,558 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed.
- There were 30,851 newly recorded confirmed cases Tuesday. Numbers do not represent true day-over-day change as these results include cases from prior to yesterday.
- The 7-day positivity rate is 10.0% and the 14-day positivity rate is 8.8%.
- There have been 26,042,071 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 252,296 over the prior 24-hour reporting period.
- As case numbers continue to rise in California, the total number of individuals who will have serious outcomes will also increase. There have been 20,243 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
