By Jondi Gumz
Santa Cruz County is one of 24 counties in the state to meet two of Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 criteria to reopen more of the economy, according to a May 8 analysis by the Los Angeles Times.
The criteria are: No deaths in 14 days and no more than one case per 10,000 residents in the same time period.
As of May 13, Santa Cruz County reported a total of 146 cases, up from 131 on April 30.
That included four on May 11 and three days, May 8-10, when zero cases were reported.
Of the 146 cases, one is currently hospitalized, but none are in the ICU, according to the state.
There have been two deaths, with the most recent on April 14, and none since.
The governor has more criteria:
Testing: 1.5 daily tests per 1,000 residents. With a population of 275,000, this adds up to 412.5 daily tests. The county reports 5,066 negative tests. UC Santa Cruz has begun testing, and OptumServe has opened a specimen site in Watsonville that requires a doctor referral. Quest Diagnostics in Scotts Valley does testing with the doctor referral, and Quest sites in Santa Cruz and Capitola are slated to start testing, according to https://covid19.ca.gov/testing-and-treatment/
Contract tracers: 15 per 100,000 residents, as recommended by The National Association of County and City Health Officials recommends in normal times, which means 41.25 positions.
Homeless: House 15% of homeless. The county is putting people who are homeless in three hotels, and is pursuing a plan to house 17 young homeless people and 13 others at 10 state-provided trailers at the Seventh Day Adventist property on Soquel San Jose Road in Soquel to shelter in place.
Hospitals: Can accommodate a 35% increase in COVID19 patients.
Nursing homes: Two-week supply of personal protective equipment and a supply line beyond state resources.
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For details, see www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/5.7.20-Presentation.pdf