City of Brea COVID-19 Community Update for Nov. 20

State of California Reverts Orange County Back to the Purple Tier
On Monday, Governor Newsom announced that 28 counties, including Orange County, were required to move back to the most-restrictive Purple Tier as part of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy Reopening Framework. This is due to the large increase in California's COVID-19 cases in the last 10 days. Governor Newsom’s press release on these changes can be found here.
 
In the Purple Tier, indoor operations must close for restaurants, churches, gyms/dance studios, museums, movie theaters, and more. Capacity limits for retail, including malls and shopping centers, reverts back to 25% maximum. Gatherings may occur outdoors only (with modifications) and are limited to a maximum of three (3) households. Schools that have already re-opened do not have to close. However, if a school had not already re-opened for in-person instruction, it may not re-open until the county moves back to the Substantial (Red) Tier for 14 days. The complete chart showing what and how sectors may operate in each tier can be found here or visiting the State's website.
 
Governor Newsom Issues a Limited Stay-at-Home Order
In addition to Governor Newsom’s announcement on Monday moving 28 California counties into the Purple Tier, yesterday he issued a limited Stay-at-Home Order, requiring that non-essential work, movement, and gatherings stop between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for counties in the Purple Tier. The Order will take effect at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21 and remain in effect until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 21. This is the same as the March Stay-at-Home Order, but applies only between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and only in Purple Tier counties that are seeing the highest rates of positive cases and hospitalizations. More information on this Order is available here.

California Issues Travel Advisory for Non-Essential Travel
Last Friday, the State issued a Travel Advisory for Non-Essential Travel. Persons arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Californians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Avoiding travel can reduce the risk of virus transmission and bringing the virus back to California.
 
State Metrics
Positivity rates have increased all across the country, including in California. Since November 3, there has been a 52% increase in the State’s 14-day positivity rate; it jumped from 3.3% on November 3 to 5.0% as of yesterday. California also saw 11,478 new daily COVID-19 cases yesterday, and has a 7-day average of 9,665. For reference, California’s highest number of new cases per day totaled 12,807 on July 21, 2020. Additionally, there has been a 63.6% increase in hospitalizations, and a 40.5% increase in ICU’s across the State over the past 14 days.

Orange County Health Care Agency Statistics
Today, the County is reporting 11 new COVID-19 cases in Brea. This brings the City’s cumulative total to 704 residents who have tested positive, and 12 residents who have passed away from the virus. According to County statistics, there have been 68,336 confirmed COVID-19 cumulative cases county-wide, 1,169 of which were newly-reported today. Additionally, there has unfortunately been 1,540 cumulative deaths to date, with 3 newly-reported today. Currently, 333 cases are hospitalized, 102 of which are in the ICU. The County estimates 57,556 individuals have recovered, but that number is speculative.

Partial Street Closure in Downtown Brea to Facilitate Outdoor Business Operations
In efforts to assist Brea businesses operating under the Purple Tier, a portion of Birch Street in Downtown Brea is now being utilized for businesses to expand their operations outdoors into the street. Birch Street, from Walnut Avenue to Madrona Avenue, is now closed to through traffic until further notice. Because the Purple Tier requires restaurants to provide outdoor dining, the City hopes this closure assists Brea businesses and residents by providing additional outdoor operational space in Downtown Brea.

Orange County Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program
The County Board of Supervisors launched the Orange County Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program to support local restaurants providing outdoor dining as required by the State’s Purple Tier guidelines. The Program has made funds available to award $1,000 grants to 1,000 eligible restaurants through CARES Act federal funding. Applications are being accepted and are available on the County’s website.

Keep Yourself and Our Community Safe
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, we encourage the community to continue complying with all State and County health orders, as well as using best health practices. Stay vigilant and follow the best practices listed below.

• Wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
• Wear a face covering.                                      
• Disinfect commonly-touched surfaces, such as cell phones, door knobs, light switches, keys, etc.
• Physically distance from those you do not live with.