Riverside County, State, CDC Urge Against Big Holiday Gatherings

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Neither California nor Riverside County has ever been in "lockdown" or "quarantine" amid the coronavirus pandemic. While many businesses and sectors have undergone major changes like serving patrons outdoors or, worse, closure, Riverside County residents have been asked to follow three basic safety protocols — face masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing.

Rising coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across the county indicate fatigue may have set in. While most businesses and sectors (not all) are complying with the protocols, it can be a mixed bag when it comes to private citizens. Nearly everyone wears a face mask inside grocery stores, but many people are gathering on weekends and many have upcoming Thanksgiving party plans — and this has health officials nervous.

On Thursday, Riverside University Health System - Public Health issued an advisory urging residents to keep holiday gatherings "smaller, shorter, and safer."

"With the recent rise in coronavirus cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations, state health officials are urging residents to limit possible exposure to the virus by reducing the number of people they have contact with during Thanksgiving," the RUHS advisory read.

"If you are going to meet during the holiday, keep the groups small and separate, even within a household," the advisory continued.

RUHS said people should avoid large gatherings and keep get-togethers to no more than an hour or two. In addition to the basics of face masks, social distancing and hand-washing, RUHS advised that people should eat and socialize outdoors with household members seated together, away from other households. Keeping plenty of hand sanitizer on hand for guests and not sharing utensils were also advised by RUHS.

“We understand the desire to celebrate the holidays with loved ones, so consider these three steps [smaller, shorter, safer] that could help reduce the chance of virus spread if you decide to get together,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of the Riverside University Health System - Public Health. “Smaller, shorter, safer could really help slow the spread of the virus.”

Riverside County, like the rest of California, has seen a jump in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and the use of ICU beds over the last few weeks.

“Coronavirus is unfortunately rising rapidly in Riverside County, and around our state and nation,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Let’s be careful and protect ourselves and our loved ones and follow these public health messages.”

Adding its voice to those local officials, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday officially urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving and avoid traveling.

The federal agency noted in guidance released Thursday that more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States over the past week, stressing that amid such an increase, "the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with."

The CDC's guidance states that traveling "may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19," adding that "postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year."

The state of California last week issued a travel advisory, urging residents to avoid traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. It also urged people who do travel to quarantine themselves for 14 days upon their return. It also urged people who visit the state from other states and countries to do the same.

As of Thursday morning, the total number of coronavirus infections recorded in Riverside County since the public health documentation period began in early March was 77,636, compared to 76,724 on Tuesday, according to RUHS.

Officials said the number of Riverside County deaths tied to COVID-19 now stands at 1,383.

The number of hospitalizations related to the virus was 338, which includes 81 ICU patients.

For California Department of Public Health holiday guidance, click here. For guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.

This article originally appeared on the Temecula Patch