05/20/2020
5/19/2020 (Tuesday) Daily Covid-19 update from Supervisor Lynn Compton.
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1. Today the Board of Supervisors moved forward and submitted our regional variance package to the State, under a new and different set of criteria, that was recently updated by the State. Dr. Borenstein, the Board of Supervisors (unanimously), and our two hospital CEO's "attested" to the fact that we meet the State's criteria. This packet basically attested to the fact that we are ready to open our County back up under a phased plan.
The new criteria were:
a. Stable or downward trending hospitalizations. The new metric is stable hospitalizations of COVID-19 individuals on a 7 day average of daily percent change of less than 5%, OR no more than 20 COVID-19 hospitalizations on a single day in the last 14 days. This is an either/or criteria, but we meet both aspects.
b. The second new criteria relates to cases/population count and Test Positivity Rate. So, less than 25 new cases per 100K residents in the past 14 days, OR less than 8% testing positives in the last 7 days. Again, either/or, but we meet both aspects.
All of the other metrics we met the last time, and continue to meet this time.
We have flattened the curve, prepared for additional hospital capacity in the event of a surge, and are tracking and tracing all cases. Additionally, we are meeting the State's requirements mandating testing of the general population at the required levels. We have demonstrated, by our low numbers and low hospitalization rates, that we are in good shape as we move forward, in a science based, and cautious manner.
We expect to hear back in the next day or two. If approved, we can move forward in the State's Phase 2 portion of the plan. Basically, for us, that means we can re-open retail in-store shopping, and in-restaurant dining, with mitigation measures in place such as social distancing, sanitary practices, plans to train employees, etc. Once we get the approval to move forward, it is important we support all these businesses who have sacrificed so much....let's support them in every way we can so that we can get our community back.
It has been a long, two month road to get to this place, with many twists and turns. I appreciate ALL the sacrifices everyone has made to get us to this point. Businesses have been pushed beyond all normal limits, as have parents, and families. Kids are suffering and want to get back to their routines and see their friends. Employees want to go back to work. People want their lives back.
I will update you all the minute I hear anything, and I am certain there will be a press conference announcing any update.
2. We had regular board business today, at our Board of Supervisors meeting. Much of it focused on the upcoming budget gap related to the Covid-19 situation. The gap could range between $30-56M...which is about 5-10% of our entire General Fund...a staggering number for two months of sheltering at home. We cannot save our way to prosperity, and depend on revenues to make our numbers. This budget shortfall will likely impact all county departments, and today we spent a substantial amount of time discussing the shortfall we foresee in our Parks Department. We unanimously approved more than $12M in budget adjustments, $7M of which came from our general fund. In the next few months we will put forward plans to meet these new financial challenge caused by Covid-19. There will be extreme budget shortfalls. Our budget will also be affected by the State's budget. I have always said that the best way to close this gap is to get our businesses back into operation!
3. Cases - 247 positive cases thus far in SLO County. 3 currently in hospital (2 of those 3 are in the ICU).
Short update today, but important information about moving forward. As always, call with questions, or email our office at [email protected]. 805-781-4337.
Respectfully,
Lynn Compton
