“Red Flags Are Flying” As Newsom Prepares Possible Stay at Home Order

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California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a sobering assessment of the state’s coronavirus status Monday, saying in no uncertain terms that if hospitalization and ICU increases continue, some form of Stay at Home restrictions may soon impact most of the state’s residents.

Citing statistics showing rapid two week rises in the state’s positivity rates, case rates and hospitalizations, Newsom said greater restrictions designed to modify Californians’ behavior may be necessary in the next few days.

Currently projections show ICU bed capacity across much of the state could be overwhelmed by Christmas. Although the Bay Area is projected to fare better than most areas, projections show capacity here may be reached in January if changes are not made.

As cases have soared, all but a few of the state’s counties have dropped into the most restrictive purple tier in California’s COVID response system. But the governor said today that current restrictions may not be enough to bend the curve quickly, and that he will likely order a modified Stay at Home Order for parts of the state later this week.

Along with likely new restrictions, Newsom also announced additional actions designed to help small and medium sized businesses, including a deferral of sales tax payments to the state, and additional aid programs with more help coming after the legislature reconvenes in January.

And he called on the Federal Government to enact a new aid and stimulus package to help states like California weather the latest coronavirus surge.