Nevada County continues to be under the State’s Stay Home Order along with neighboring counties in the Greater Sacramento region. According to the State’s latest COVID-19 facts, the Greater Sacramento region’s daily current ICU capacity numbers have been relatively consistent at approximately 14%, however early projections over the next four weeks show ICU capacity is likely to drop. Therefore, the order will likely be extended for the Greater Sacramento region. The Greater Sacramento region’s official ICU projections and status under the Stay Home Order will be known and posted tomorrow, January 2nd based on the January 1st projections that will be run today. The ICU capacity projections are based on four factors: current estimated regional ICU capacity available, measure of current community transmission, current regional case rates and the proportion of ICU cases being admitted. Decreasing community transmission and increasing the health system capacity can help a region’s projected ICU capacity so they can exit the order.
The Stay at Home Order means that gatherings of any size are prohibited. Bars, wineries, personal services and hair salons must close temporarily. Retail can stay open with a cap of 20% capacity and restaurants must stop all on-site dining and only provide take-out or delivery services. Critical infrastructure and schools are allowed to stay open. Non-essential travel is not allowed across the state of California and the travel advisory to quarantine after any out of state travel is still in place. Masking and physical distancing are mandatory. In Nevada County, there are many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Local recreation with members of the same household is encouraged. Learn more about the regional Stay at Home Order at COVID19.ca.gov.
To protect our essential and healthcare workers, first responders, vulnerable residents and businesses, please stay home except for essential needs. A few weeks after a holiday, Nevada County typically sees a spike in new COVID-19 cases. Individual action leads to collective mitigation and we thank Nevada County residents who remain diligent about wearing a mask, social distancing, avoiding gatherings and staying home when sick. We can stop the spread together. Thank you for keeping Nevada County Strong.
Upcoming Business Resource Opportunities
Nevada County is hosting a COVID-19 Business Task Force meeting at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, January 6th. Get an update on COVID-19 and learn about federal, state, and local relief funding available to businesses. Hosted by Supervisors Dan Miller and Ed Scofield, with speakers from Nevada County and the Sierra Business Council. Register on Zoom at www.mynevadacounty.com/COVID19BusinessTaskForce..
The Nevada County Relief Fund is currently accepting applications from for-profit small businesses who are complying with public health guidelines to protect their customers and staff through January 6th. For-profit businesses may apply for micro-grants up to $5,000 that may be used for rent relief or other critical business expenses needed to stay open this winter. Apply at www.nevcorelief.org.
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant opened December 30th and will close on January 8th at 11:59 p.m. A total of $475 million will be available in two rounds. Round one will distribute $237 million. Find more information at www.careliefgrant.com. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will provide a daily webinar at 11:00 am through January 4th. Webinar topics will include updates to the program including eligibility requirements, application process, required documents, and who to contact for assistance. Register for an upcoming Small Business Grant Webinar on SBDC’s website at www.sierrasbdc.com/events/state-california-covid-19-small-business-grant-webinar.
More Information
For more information visit www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus or speak with a local call center representative at 211 Connecting Point by calling 1-833-DIAL211. For more information on local immunization efforts and weekly vaccine updates visit www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus/vaccine.