A late spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Labor Day holiday weekend caused the San Bernardino County case rate to exceed one of the two criteria needed to move into a less-restrictive designation. While the positivity rate is low enough, the number of residents who are being tested is not. Managing editor Tami Roleff says representatives from the county urged residents to get tested during a county briefing Wednesday…
“Because of activity over Labor Day, we just went right over the top.”
County Chair Curt Hagman said county numbers spiked from the Labor Day weekend, but the county is doing much better now compared to the Fourth of July spike, when the positivity rate was 22-23 percent.
Supervisor Janice Rutherford, like all the other supervisors, agreed that everyone wants county businesses to re-open as soon as possible, but the county has to first reach metrics set by the state.
“No matter what your personal beliefs about testing, no matter what your political position on COVID is, … help us as neighbors get re-opened. We need 900 to 1,000 more tests per day to make that happen.”
County Fire Chief Dan Munsey reminded residents that the county fire department depends on tax revenue to fund its services. When businesses aren’t open and collecting sales tax, the fire department will not receive the funds it needs to operate. He urged residents to get tested so that businesses can re-open.
Supervisor Dawn Rowe listed some of the businesses that could reopen if more residents got tested.
“Indoor dining, churches, weddings, movie theaters, gyms, our colleges and universities, can all resume limited indoor operations.”
Morongo Basin residents can get free, easy, and painless tests done at Copper Mountain College. Make an appointment at sbcovid19.com, or just show up.
