The California Department of Public Health has a new commercial, both in English and Spanish, advocating for families to stay home for Christmas this year. We know from Thanksgiving and other major holidays in 2020 that family gatherings significantly increased the spread of COVID-19 leading to record hospitalizations and even deaths.
Since December 1, 2020, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Cathedral City has increased by 60% going from 2,403 cases to 3,856 cases. The number of fatalities from COVID-19 has increased 20% since December 1st going from 39 deaths to 47 deaths.
In Riverside County, we have a record number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at 1,239 patients and 229 of those are in ICU beds. We have 0% capacity of ICU beds and hospitals have engaged their surge plans. The county’s positivity rate is 18.5%, 10% over the threshold for being placed in the Widespread Purple Tier which creates the most lockdowns of businesses.
The commercials presented are asking for families to stay home and communicate with extended family members and friends this Christmas via video technology such as Zoom, Facetime, or a platform of your choice. By doing so, you may save the life of a family member or your own.
For more information, go to: https://www.discovercathedralcity.com/covid-19-info or
