Health

San Benito and Santa Cruz counties extend shelter-in-place order

By Aaron Groff

March 31, 2020 9:21 PM

Published March 31, 2020 8:15 PM

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION)

San Benito and Santa Cruz counties both announce they are extending their COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders through midnight, May 3.

The shelter in place order from the Monterey County Health Officer remains open-ended, in line with the "stay at home" order issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In a release Tuesday night, San Benito County Health Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib says, “extending the stay-at-home order should reduce the number of sick patients seeking care at one time, giving us time to acquire more medical supplies for providers who will be providing care to people sick with COVID-19.”

As for Santa Cruz County, Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel says, “my first priority is to protect the life and safety of Santa Cruz County residents, and we have some early indications that the Shelter-in-Place order is helping reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus." He adds, “I expect the weeks ahead will be challenging, and it is imperative that we not let down our guard as we work together to reduce the impacts from this disease.”