In the state's new COVID-19 regional designations, Greater Sacramento dropped below 15% ICU availability Wednesday, with capacity of 14.3%.
This triggered the state’s new stay-at home-order, set to take effect Thursday night.
The counties in the NSPR listening area affected by the order are Butte, Colusa, Plumas, Sutter, and Yuba.
The modified stay-at-home order bans outdoor dining at restaurants, indoor church services, hair cuts and additional activities outlined on the state’s website.
It will remain in effect for at least three weeks. Yuba County spokesperson Rachel Rosenbaum said the county is taking an educational approach to enforcement.
She encouraged residents to take the stay-at-home order seriously.
“We all have the power to stop the spread and to break the chain of transmission. We’re seeing many cases. Right, because that’s what's important. We’re seeing many cases from asymptomatic folks who later become symptomatic,” Rosenbaum said.
Yuba and Sutter County share one hospital — last Friday all of its ICU beds were full.
“It’s not an issue of facilities, we could stand up multiple facilities, it’s staffing that’s an issue. So, unfortunately, our plans, our previous plans for surge capacity are no longer feasible,” Rosenbaum said.
The remaining counties included in the NSPR listening area are in the Northern California region. That region is at 27% ICU availability and would need to drop below 15% before triggering the new restrictions.