Hospitals in San Joaquin County report having 143 COVID positive patients admitted for care. Demand for intensive care services remains steady with adult intensive care units (ICU) operating at 105 percent of licensed bed capacity as of Monday, Nov. 30. San Joaquin County hospitals also reported four patient deaths due to COVID in the 24-hour period from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

In the past seven days, hospitals in San Joaquin County have experienced a 23 percent increase in patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19.

On Monday, officials learned of a possible ‘stay at home’ order, which could be enacted for Purple Tier counties if numbers continue to increase. San Joaquin County is among those in the ‘purple’ classification, along with neighboring Stanislaus County.

San Joaquin County health officials, however, remind residents to not delay seeking care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke, difficulty breathing or altered mental status contact 911 to activate the EMS system. If you are ill or sick, contact your physician or healthcare provider.

As a way to help slow the spread of coronavirus, the county also advises the following measures. Stay home; avoid people outside your household; wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; wear a face mask when out in public; cover your cough or sneeze; frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces; maintain physical distance of six feet whenever outside of the house; stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

With the Thanksgiving four-day weekend period now passed, officials said they will watch the numbers closely to see if the holiday corresponds with an increase in reported cases.