San Joaquin Valley To Remain Under Stay-At-Home Order Indefinitely

The regional stay-at-home order has officially been extended for the San Joaquin Valley due to a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations and continued lack of ICU capacity.

The decision was announced in a state-wide update by California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

The regional stay-at-home order for the San Joaquin Valley was scheduled to expire after three weeks on Monday, January 4, 2021. In order for a region to have its stay-at-home order lifted after three weeks, the ICU capacity must be at or above the 15% threshold.

According to Ghaly, four-week projections for the region show the demand in the San Joaquin Valley exceeding the ICU capacity.

Many were expecting an extension as the Valley currently has the least available ICU space out of all the California regions. The ICU capacity is currently at 0% and is not projected to improve anywhere near the 15% threshold within the next four weeks.

There are currently 13 ICU beds open in Fresno County as of 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 29.

Dr. Ghaly said the stay-at-home order will remain in effect in the San Joaquin Valley until the ICU capacity reaches 15%.

Southern California's stay-at-home order has also been extended indefinitely.

The stay-at-home order requires bars, wineries, personal services, hair salons, and other nonessential businesses to temporarily close.

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