Mammoth Mountain opens for skiing as Gov. Gavin Newsom urges Californians to stay home
COVID-19 is spiking in California at the highest rate the state has seen; California, Oregon, and Washington issue joint travel advisory to slow the spread of the virus
MONO COUNTY, Calif. -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday morning announced a travel advisory recommending 14-day quarantine before and after inter-state travel, and urged residents to avoid non-essential travel as cases of the coronavirus increase at alarming rates statewide.
“Case are on the rise here in California—we are definitely concerned,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said in a virtual press conference on Friday. “We always hope to have positive news and this is not positive news.”
The joint travel advisory issued with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee comes on Mammoth Mountain Ski Area's opening day.
“The timing of this news is, of course, difficult, however I’m not sure there would have been a good time for it as we head into the holiday season,” said Mammoth Lakes Tourism Communications Director Lara Kaylor. “With (41 million people) in California, visitation to Mammoth Lakes will most likely still remain steady.”
“This is also an advisory at this time, not a ban or a mandate, so it unclear how much it will discourage people, especially Californians, from finding their way here.”
Positive cases have increased 47.1% in California since the beginning of November, which is 20% faster than the previous peak in June and July. It the highest rate of increase the state has seen. Hospitalizations in California have increased 34.6% over the last 14 days.
“This is an immediate situation,” Dr. Ghaly said. “It is a rapidly evolving situation and we will do whatever it takes to protect the health of California.”
Dr. Ghaly said the state is not yet considering a statewide stay-at-home order at this time, but restrictions within the tiers could be modified as necessary stressing that the the state’s guideline for tightening and loosening restrictions was designed to be fluid.
He stressed the importance of not mixing households, keeping social activities short and outdoors as well as distancing, washing and covering.
Mono County health officials Friday reported that the seven-day positivity rate is 7.1% locally up from 5.8% over the previous seven day period. There are 20 new confirmed coronavirus cases over the past 14 days unrelated to the outbreak at the Marine Corp Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) in October.
That brings the total number of local cases to 215 since the beginning of the pandemic, not including 255 additional cases confirmed at the MCMWTC for a total of 470.
Cases from the MCMWTC are currently assigned to Mono County, however last week health officials submitted an application requesting the state consider the military outbreak and county separately for tier assignment. The county expects a response by Tuesday of next week.
Link: Understand California’s criteria for tier status and restrictions
Local public health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant as community spread is happening.
“I am increasingly concerned that we are seeing more cases in Mono County that are not related to the Marine Corps outbreak.” Public Health Officer Dr. Boo said last week. “Another such week and we will probably move to Tier 2 Red later this month, regardless of what happens with the adjudication request related to the Marine Base.”
It is unclear how ski operations will be affected if Mono County does, in fact, see more business restrictions. The state currently does not have criteria for ski resorts in California. According to Dr. Boo, the California Department of Public Health is reportedly working on guidelines.
Recommended Reading
Significant COVID outbreak hits Marine Corp Mountain Warfare Training Center Mono County Weekly
Mountain High delays its ski opening after four employee positive COVID-19 tests The Los Angeles Times
At dinner parties and game nights, casual American life is fueling the coronavirus surge as daily cases exceed 150,000 The Washington Post
COVID-19 Outbreak, 177 cases and 7 deaths inked to a small wedding in rural Maine The Center for Disease Control
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