California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned of a “drastic” escalation in government-levied restrictions if coronavirus numbers keep surging across his state.
During a press conference on Monday, the Democrat announced that hospitalizations are increasing at an alarming rate and that estimates show that the state will run out of ICU beds before Christmas Eve. Newsom also said a new stay-at-home order could come as soon as this week.
“This is the tipping point,” he said in an accompanying tweet. “CA has worked hard to prepare for a surge — but we can’t sustain the record high cases we’re seeing.” The governor also encouraged Californians to “stay safe & stay home as much as you can for next few weeks.”
This is the tipping point.
CA has worked hard to prepare for a surge—but we can’t sustain the record high cases we’re seeing.
Current projections show CA will run out of current ICU beds before Christmas Eve.
Please stay safe & stay home as much as you can for next few weeks. pic.twitter.com/5NJYzHokhE
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 30, 2020
On Monday, according to the Mercury News, California set a record with 7,415 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a single day.
“If these trends continue, we’re going to have to take much more dramatic, arguably drastic action,” the governor said during the press conference.
In recent days, almost all Californians have seen their counties reverted to the “purple tier” of coronavirus restrictions. Restaurants have been forced to close their indoor dining, and retail establishments are required to operate at 25% capacity. A curfew for nonessential travel has also been issued for most of the state between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, residents were encouraged to limit family gatherings.
The governor’s last stay-at-home order was issued in March, calling on Californians to stay home except to perform essential jobs or to purchase essential items.
