State places Sonoma County on monitoring list in response to rising coronavirus cases

En español

The state Department of Public Health notified the County of  Sonoma today that if the region’s coronavirus data do not improve over the next 72  hours, the County will be subject to new restrictions as part of statewide actions  designed to slow the spread of coronavirus. These restrictions would start as soon as  Monday, July 13, 2020 and would be in place until the state takes further action, which  would be no earlier than July 22, 2020

Sonoma County joins 29 other counties in the state, including Marin and Napa  counties, in being added to the state monitoring list due to sharp increases in new  coronavirus infections since early June. Sonoma County's rate of infections per 100,000  residents has increased five-fold from 20 in early June to more than 100 over the past  several days, Dr. Sundari Mase, the county's Public Health Officer, told the Board of  Supervisors on Thursday. 

Similar to action taken with other counties, the state Public Health Officer is expected  to issue a health order for Sonoma County that would restrict indoor business  operations to discourage large indoor gatherings outside of households. 

Potential State Health Order restrictions 

The following business types would not allowed to operate indoor activities: 

• Restaurants
• Wineries/tasting rooms
• Bars, clubs, breweries, brewpubs and distilleries
• Movie theaters
• Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys and arcades)
• Zoos and museums
• Card rooms

If the State restricts activities, this information is important for impacted businesses:

• Outdoor dining and take-out would still be permitted.
• Wineries and tasting rooms would likely be able to operate outdoors, and the serving of food would not be a requirement.
• Bars, clubs, breweries, brewpubs, and distilleries would be required to halt all indoor service. Alcohol may be served outdoors only in the same transaction of a meal.

“Each one of us is responsible for slowing the spread of coronavirus and protecting our  most vulnerable residents,” said Dr. Mase. “We can all do our part by continuing to  wear face coverings, keeping our distance from others, and staying home when sick  and not attending social gatherings.” 

Sonoma County health officials remind all residents there is still a local and statewide  health order in effect, and social gatherings are known places where COVID-19 is  spread. For more information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy, visit  www.socoemergency.org/novel-coronavirus.

A description of the County’s metrics being monitored by the California Department of  Public Health can be found on the Internet at:
www.oesnews.com/state-officials-announce-latest-covid-19-facts-105/​.