Monterey County COVID-19 incidence rate in the red zone

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) With a recent spike in cases in Monterey County over the past couple weeks, some businesses worry the county might force them to close again.

KION spoke with the county health department to find out whether or not a rise in cases would mean that some businesses may have to close again and what factors go into determining the reopening process.

There are four major indicators, including ability to test and overall 
positivity rates, the health department weighs before it gives the okay for businesses to reopen. The two most critical factors are whether the county is able to protect those most at risk of getting COVID-19–like vulnerable populations in nursing homes–and whether local hospitals have enough beds and protective gear to handle a surge.

“So in those areas, we haven’t exceeded our thresholds that we set for 
ourself,” Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno said. "So I felt comfortable allowing the businesses to reopen as the governor recommended.”

As of June 9, Monterey County's 14-Day cumulative COVID-19 incidence per 100,000 population is past the threshold for considering modifications. The overall test positivity rate for the past 7 days is also in the red at 11.2 percent.

A chart on the county's website lists the current status of the incidence rate as 69.9 but the threshold when modifications will be considered is 32 or greater.

The supply of personal protective equipment for Monterey County hospitals is also an area of concern, with 75 percent of hospitals with at least a 14 day supply of PPE. It's in the yellow zone.

But the health department said they look at all the factors together, rather than one individual indicator, before deciding whether or not county needs to rethink opening strategy is.

"We have to look at them as a group, look at where we've been, where we're at, and use this information as tools, use them as data that informs decision, doesn't drive decision," Moreno said.

But the thought of a possible shutdown in the future if the pandemic gets worse is on businesses minds.

The manager at CK Hair Design told KION that they're trying to save up and make sure to follow health and safety guidelines.

The Salinas salon on Constitution Blvd does temperature checks at the door, requires the use of hand sanitizer and wearing face coverings or masks so they can stay open during the coronavirus pandemic.

The past two months haven’t been easy.

“It has been hard, the time that we weren’t able to work, for the fact that 
all the bills just accumulate. They don’t forgive any payments or forgive 
any rents.” CK Hair Design Manager Litzy Beltran.

Money is tight, but they’ve opened their doors once again for just over a 
week now, hoping clients will return.

Beltran said they’ve raised their prices a bit to keep up with payments and clients have been understanding.

The possibility of another shutdown would be devastating for many businesses.

“It would be something really difficult to go through again for the same 
fact that bills just accumulate. Maybe if there was more help and 
 resources,” Beltran said.

But a regression would be up to the county health department.

Data from the state shows county hospitals have 66 percent of ICU beds 
available and 93 percent of ventilators available.

As for Monterey County businesses, the future remains unknown. But salon management says they’ll try to follow all the rules so another shutdown won’t happen and their doors can remain open.

More businesses, including movie theaters and gyms, will be allowed to reopen in the next couple days.  That mean more people will be 
out in the public which has health experts warning us to remember to wear face coverings and continue social distancing.