When state officials asked for Dr. Anthony Fauci’s thoughts on imposing stay-at-home orders, his advice was simple; They “really don’t have any choice.”
Speaking with CNN on Monday, Fauci said he was consulted by California officials prior to moving forward on its most recent restrictions. He said he “absolutely” agreed with the state’s approach adding “When you have the challenge to the healthcare system, you’ve got to do something like that.”
The state’s stay-home rules, affecting more than 33 million residents, are some of the toughest in the U.S., limiting nonessential activities, banning restaurant dining and prohibiting private gatherings.
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued stay-home orders based on regional hospital capacity. Lock down restrictions would be imposed if counties’ intensive care unit capacity fell below 15 percent. On Sunday the state reported ICU capacity had fallen below 7 percent in the San Joaquin Valley and 10.3 percent in Southern California.
For the first time ever, the state reported over 30,000 coronavirus cases in one day last weekend.