The state extended its stay-at-home order for the 11 county Southern California region which includes the Central and South Coasts.
Surging COVID-19 numbers mean current shutdowns like onsite restaurant dining and hair salons will likely remain in place for another three weeks.
State health officials say the spike in COVID-19 cases which has reduced the Southern California hospital intensive care unit capacity to zero led to an extension of the order.
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly says they are worried the holidays will just amplify the crisis. Ghaly says if the ICU numbers improve, the state will consider lifting the latest three week shutdown early. But, he says it isn’t like that will happen.
Officials are worried that the recent surge in new cases in our region could be complicated by get togethers over Christmas and New Years, which could create a new wave of people infected with the virus.
