Will Merced County reopen before much of California? There’s a plan for that, officials say
As some businesses across Merced County reopened Friday, the Board of Supervisors held a special meeting to begin progressing the county through the stay-at-home order faster than the rest of the state.
Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out guidelines Thursday permitting businesses that had been shut down during the coronavirus pandemic to reopen with modifications. The guidance included an opportunity for qualifying counties to possibly open more businesses quicker by submitting a readiness plan — a process Merced County began immediately.
By approving a letter of support for Merced County to move through that process, the Merced County Board of Supervisors checked off one of several steps.
The supervisors unanimously approved the letter, but some stated it should go further. “The letter isn’t as pointed or direct as I would like it to be,” Supervisor Daron McDaniel said. Still, he noted the progress is in the right direction.
Before the county can move forward, it must also obtain a letter of support from area hospitals, complete certain forms and participate in a technical assistance call with the State Department of Health. The county has already requested this call, County CEO James Brown said.
Plus, the county must show proof of epidemiological stability — in other words, making active progress toward containing the pandemic.
This includes:
1). Having no more than one coronavirus case per 10,000 people in last 14 days.
2). No COVID-19 related deaths within last 14 days.
3). A daily test capacity of 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
4). Plans to protect vulnerable populations.
5). Regional ability to accommodate a 35% surge.
6). Skilled nursing facilities having more than 14 days supply of personal protection equipment with the ability to order more
Public Health Director Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp said at the special meeting she feels the county is “on track” to have its readiness plan approved.
Merced County residents, officials frustrated
While some retail operations and businesses were able to reopen Friday under certain parameters, a great many small businesses like hair salons, gyms and others remain shuttered.
Thus, calls from some residents and officials have pleaded for the local economy to reopen faster. Some have even asked Merced County do defy the state’s orders, as some other counties recently have.
“At what point does the cure cost more than the pandemic?” asked Supervisor Scott Silveira. “It’s a horrible position to be in.”
Multiple public comments at the special board meeting, submitted via email or voicemail, made clear the state’s recently loosened restrictions are not enough for many residents and business owners.
“COVID-19 has turned my world upside down,” said one Los Banos hair salon owner, whose business is still excluded from reopening. “The cold hard truth is my business cannot last months without me working behind the chair.”
McDaniel requested the board to either approve or discuss an emergency declaration at next Tuesday’s meeting, given the state of the economy.
“I think at this time, we are in an economic state of emergency in Merced County,” he said. “I think the whole state is.”
County officials Friday were receptive to reopening pleas, but also urged caution.
“We are in a challenging position as a county trying to meet the needs of our local businesses, while still following the direction of the state,” said Brown. The county’s resources are limited, and it should remain in the state’s good graces while looking ahead to much-needed reimbursements and supplies, he said.
McDaniel said he’s concerned about the county’s inability to protect the business licenses of those who open before receiving the green light.
Mercy Medical Center President and CEO Chuck Kassis weighed in during public comment. He said existing precautions are what have kept the community safe, and urged preventative coronavirus measures like social distancing to continue.
Updated health order
Merced County Health Officer Dr. Salvador Sandoval updated the local health order Friday to reflect recent state guidelines.
Parks and cemeteries are now permitted to reopen with limitations, although park picnic areas, playgrounds and indoor facilities in parks must remain closed. Baptisms are all allowed to resume too, with modifications.
Preventative medical appointments, including routine dental services, are now allowed statewide too.
Latest coronavirus cases
Meanwhile Merced County coronavirus cases rose to 163 Friday. Of those, 69 residents are actively sick, 91 have recovered and three have died.
“We do have some very ill patients that are hospitalized at the moment,” Nanyonjo-Kemp said. “We are not expecting positive outcomes for some of those individuals.”
Nanyonjo-Kemp said while coronavirus deaths and the number of infected persons in the county remain relatively low, a surge is anticipated.
Multiple county officials noted a surge occurred after social distancing efforts decreased over Easter weekend. They stressed caution over holding gatherings during Mother’s Day weekend. Several outbreaks clustered into households have resulted in entire families becoming infected, Nanyonjo-Kemp said.
In one case, nine people were infected in a single Merced County house, resulting in two hospitalizations and two other households being exposed, she said.
Nanyonjo-Kemp said the turnaround time for test results has lately improved. Also, following the new COVID-19 testing site that opened at the Merced County Fairgrounds on Monday, another site is expected to open in Los Banos soon.
Less than a week in to the new testing site operating though, it is having issues with registration, on-site security and a lack of awareness of who’s responsible for what duties, Nanyonjo-Kemp said. “I’ll be frank,” she said. “Our eastern side testing site has not been easy.”
Nanyonjo-Kemp said state and local Office of Emergency Services officials have stepped in to work out the kinks, at her behest.
In California as of Friday, there are 62,247 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,541 deaths.
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 7:32 PM.
