Fresno, Merced, Tulare Move Back to Purple Tier, Gov. Newsom Apologizes For Party

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) pulls the emergency brakes after unveiling exploding coronavirus case numbers on Monday.

Close to 10,000 new cases were reported Monday.

41-of California’s 58 counties are now in the “purple tier” – the most severe infection rating.

Fresno, Merced, and Tulare counties have moved back to the purple tier from the red tier.

The state orders all counties in purple to not allow for indoor services for restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, churches and several other business sectors.

Governor Newsom says he is even considering a statewide curfew.

“We also are considering, full disclosure, a little bit of a preview, the notion of a curfew,” said Gov. Newsom.

The 28 counties moving back into Tier 1(Purple/Widespread) include: 

The nine counties moving back into Tier 2 (Red/Substantial) include: 

The two counties moving back into Tier 3 (Orange/Moderate) include: 

Today’s action will remain in effect until the State Public Health Officer determines it is appropriate to make modifications based on public health conditions and data.

California has taken steps to prepare the state for an increase in COVID-19 cases. The state has developed additional testing capacity to allow cases to be quickly identified, recently opening a new laboratory in Valencia that is already processing thousands of tests a day. The state is averaging 164,345 tests over the last seven days.

The state has been working in partnership with hospitals, clinics and physicians on the COVID-19 response. To support California’s health care delivery system, the state has an additional 1,872 beds available at alternate care sites outside of the system that can be made available quickly if needed to respond to a surge in cases.

California will continue to update the Blueprint for a Safer Economy based on the best available public health data and science.

For more information about the Blueprint and what Californians can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit covid19.ca.gov.

Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

Governor Newsom also apologized for what he called a ‘bad mistake’ at his Monday COVID-19 news conference.

Newsom attended a friend’s birthday party in Napa Valley on Nov. 6 which was attended by a large crowd of people.

“I made a bad mistake. Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up, and walked back, got into my car and drove back,” said Gov. Newson.

The governor said he broke the same rules he has been preaching to all Californians to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

News about the party he and his wife attended broke Friday and he’s received a great deal of backlash since.

The reports were that Newsom was at a party with about a dozen friends at the pricy French Laundry restaurant in the Napa wine country.

Newsom says he recognizes that he must practice what he preaches and set a proper example.

He said there were more guests than he expected celebrating the 50th birthday of a longtime political adviser and that he should have left but didn’t.

“We’re all human, we all fall short sometimes,” he said.

Gov. Newsom says he will not let it happen again.

During the question and answer portion of the call, Gov. Newsom did have to face questions about the part.

One person asked if California residents will see this as “Do as I say, not as I do.” Gov. Newsom’s answer was to rewind the tape and hear exactly what he said.

Another wondered if people won’t take his warnings as seriously and see him less like the moral authority. He agreed and said that’s why “You have to own it and be forthright. I’m doing my best every single day,” said Newsom.

Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern that aired Friday on KMJ.

Madera County’s Tier Assignment: Purple

Due to the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in California, the Governor released tier assignments today rather than Tuesday. No counties moved forward this week in their tier assignments. In fact, 40 out of 58 counties moved backwards to a more restrictive tier including our neighboring counties of Fresno and Merced. Madera County’s tier assignment remains in the purple tier.

• • Case Rate: Madera County’s unadjusted case rate is 12.8 and adjusted is 14.0 per 100,000.
  • Positivity rate: The countywide test positivity rate continues to meet the criteria for the red tier at 6.5%. *The state’s website is currently showing an incorrect positivity rate. It will be changed to the correct number shortly.

Halloween had a substantial impact on cases. In Madera County, the cases rate was 9.9 per 100,000 the week before Halloween (ending on the 30^th) compared to the current rate of 14.0. Do your part and remember to –

• Minimize gatherings. Do not gather indoors is possible.  It is best to participate in one stable social cohort of no more than 3 households.
• Modify Thanksgiving Plans. The increase in cases after Halloween reflects family and friends gathering together. Modify plans for Thanksgiving to limit household gatherings.
• Continue to get tested regularly if you have been around others! Get tested every 4-6 weeks if working outside your home or going out, especially is gathering socially.
• Practice Prevention. Wash hands, socially distance and wear a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Isolate yourself from others if you have symptoms. Visit valleycovidhelp.com or ayudadelvalleycovid.com for more information to learn how to properly self-isolate.

See talking points attached. For more information, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/