Governor Newsom: Santa Cruz County can open more businesses, 2.3 million acres burned in 2020 wildfires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION-TV)
California Governor Gavin Newsom updated the state's response to the major wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic.
WILDFIRES:
This time in 2019, Governor Newsom says the state saw 4,927 fires, burning 118 thousand acres. Right now in 2020: 7,606 fires, 2.3 million acres burned. Since August 15, 1.8 million acres have burned and 42,200 people have been evacuated.
The Creek Fire is Fresno County has grown to 143 thousand acres with zero percent containment.
Nearly 14,000 firefighters are currently battling 25 major wildfires in California, according to Cal Fire.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
As for the Coronavirus Pandemic, California has seen 737,911 cases with 13,758 COVID-19-related deaths.
3.8 percent positive test rate for the last seven days
Hospitalizations dropped 24% over the last 14 days.
ICU admissions dropped 21% over the last 14 days.
Five counties moved from purple tier to red tier, including Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County. This allows modified indoor operations at restaurants, gyms/fitness centers, places of worship, and personal care services, if the county health officer allows. Santa Cruz County announced moments later these activities and businesses can start immediately.
INITIAL POST: 11:30 a.m.
Reopening plans are tied to the state of the pandemic in each specific county. Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties are all in the most-restrictive "purple" tier. However, Santa Cruz County officials tell KION they expect to be moved to the "red" tier on Tuesday (2nd most restrictive out of four), which would allow modified indoor operations at restaurants, gyms/fitness centers, places of worship, and personal care services. When these places would be allowed to reopen is unclear.
This is a developing story.
