Stanislaus County to cooperate with state's new coronavirus order. Cases hit new high.

Jul. 4--Stanislaus County will comply with a state order that closes restaurant dining and family entertainment centers in an attempt to slow the resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak, its chief executive officer said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has usually expected voluntary compliance with state efforts to combat coronavirus, but his new order Wednesday came with a threat of regulatory enforcement and fiscal measures for any defiant counties.

Closing certain business operations for at least three weeks, the rollback applies to Stanislaus and 18 other counties that have seen spikes in COVID-19 illness since a reopening process began in May.

The state's coronavirus orders have met with some resistance here; county leaders at first said they wouldn't tell non-essential businesses to close after Newsom's original stay-home order March 19. County supervisors in May said they wouldn't stop businesses from reopening, when it looked like criteria for a state variance were impossible.

Faced with possible state enforcement and impacts for hospitals, the county is falling into step.

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Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county health officer, issued a county health order Thursday that mirrors the new state directives. It orders the closure of indoor restaurant dining, winery tasting rooms, movie theaters, arcades, museums and card rooms.

In addition, bars and brewpubs are expected to close indoor and outdoor services immediately.

Jody Hayes, county chief executive officer, explained that cooperation with the state requires a separate order from the local health officer. The sentiment of local officials is that law enforcement won't enforce the new health orders, Hayes said. Rather, code enforcement officers will be responsible for making contacts if any local businesses don't comply.

Code enforcement typically can lead to revocation of a business license or permit.

The governor has said he prefers education first and then enforcement action if needed. At a press conference Wednesday, he said licensing bureaus such as Alcoholic Beverage Control and enforcement strike teams were ready to take regulatory action in six regions of the state if necessary.

State funding tied to compliance

County supervisors have a special meeting scheduled Tuesday to hear an update on the coronavirus emergency and discuss the possible fiscal measures. The state budget includes $1.3 billion through the federal CARES Act to help counties with costs of responding to the pandemic and the funds are contingent on county compliance with state executive orders.

The county could presumably lose the funding if it does not cooperate with the state's pandemic strategy.

Stanislaus County's allocation is estimated at $12.7 million, which can cover costs related to health effects of coronavirus and certain economic impacts. The county might also receive from $10.5 million to $14 million in what's called realignment backfill from the state.

Hayes said county code enforcement in line with Newsom's order would focus on the unincorporated areas. Cities also play a role, he said, because most of the restaurants and other affected businesses are within municipal boundaries.

Modesto is eligible to receive $2.7 million in coronavirus relief funds from the state. Tuesday, the City Council will consider an agreement for the funds that obligates the city to comply with state health orders, according to a city staff report.

Modesto Councilman Bill Zoslocki said Friday that public health is the county's responsibility. He said the council has not discussed how the city would deal with a restaurant or bar that's violating Newsom's order.

"We have not had a chance to discuss the alternatives," Zoslocki said. "We need to do that and make the determination."

The councilman said he has mostly seen business owners cooperative with efforts to combat the outbreak and many suffered financial losses in complying with the state stay-home order in the spring. "We have to beat this thing and beat it as fast we can," Zoslocki said.

Daily COVID-19 count hits a new high

The county Health Services Agency reported a record 140 new coronavirus cases Friday, pushing the grand total to 2,531 since March.

There is growing concern about impacts on hospitals in the county, which are caring for 133 patients confirmed with COVID-19., a 32 percent increase in seven days.

Close to 70 percent of intensive care beds are in use. If the trend is not reversed, it's feared the hospitals could run out of space for critically ill patients in a matter of weeks.

According to the state health department, indoor dining was targeted by Newsom's order because it's the kind of business that encourages mixing of people outside their homes. Customers don't wear masks while eating and are exposed to the indoor environment for some time, raising the chances of an asymptomatic person spreading the virus to nearby diners.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention investigated a restaurant-related outbreak, finding that a single customer passed the virus to half the people at that table and three-fourths of people at an adjacent table downwind of the eatery's ventilation system. In addition, two other customers in the restaurant were infected.

With outdoor dining, people are not in a confined space and are considered less prone to infection.

County tries to reduce infections among Latinos

Stanislaus County public health is expanding outreach to local Latino residents, who account for 70 percent of cases. That percentage is an extreme example of a trend in California of coronavirus taking a disproportionate toll on people of color. More than 400 people who've tested positive live in largely Latino neighborhoods in west and south Modesto.

Erica Inacio was recently appointed as the county's liaison to Latino community groups and businesses.

The goal is promoting face coverings, hand-washing and distancing that are the proven measures in slowing the spread of COVID-19, as well as advice to reconsider family gatherings. The effort has started with digital traffic signs on Crows Landing and Hatch roads urging the public to wear masks and take other precautions.

The owner of La Favorita radio in Modesto will have DJs talk to listeners about COVID-19. Masks are being delivered to community resource centers and a webinar is planned for Latino-owned businesses.

The county also is working to bring mobile testing to hard hit neighborhoods.

"It is a known fact that communities of color and underserved neighborhoods are impacted and there's a need for more tools and resources," Inacio said. "That is what we are trying to do. We are hoping it will eventually flatten the curve in the community."

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