SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGTV) - While some California counties are seeing stable rates of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, others are seeing numbers they say raise concerns, according to the California Department of Public Health.
"We actively monitor all 58 counties and their current data," Governor Gavin Newsom said at a press conference on Monday.
According to the California Department of Public Health's website, "The state will work closely with Local Health Departments to identify action steps and timelines for addressing issues that impact indicators of concern.”
"We are providing technical assistance, we are providing resources, human resources and physical resources," Newsom said.
As of Wednesday, state officials were working with 10 counties that have impact indicators of concern.
At a Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting earlier this week, health officials explained the state's concern about hospitalizations.
Health officials told the board, they were working to find out if the increase was in Santa Barbara County residents hospitalized or people from outside the county.
"What this means is we will be meeting with the state (Wednesday), the team, to talk about the drivers of the increased hospitalization and what our next steps in addressing and monitoring a stable hospitalization," Santa Barbara County health officials said on Tuesday.
Other counties on the list are dealing with things such as elevated disease transmission potentially from public protests with large numbers of people in close proximity without face coverings and outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities and prisons.
According to the California Department of Public Health's website, "Over the past several months, California has used data and science to drive our response to COVID-19. The county data posted below is intended to give Californians insight into how their county is doing and provide some early indication of developing areas of concern."
"It is incumbent upon state and local governments, business sectors, and individuals to work together and take actions that limit the transmission of COVID-19. Only together can we make a difference," the site says. "Opened sectors should follow state guidance on how to reduce risk to the public, and individuals should continue to practice safety precautions such as wearing face coverings in public, physical distancing of at least six feet, frequent handwashing, and disinfecting surfaces. Those over 65 or those with underlying health conditions should continue to stay at home."
Health officials say if a county that is being monitored meets the state threshold criteria three consecutive days, that indicator will no longer be flagged.
