City of Menifee urges adherence to public health orders

News release from the City of Menifee:

MENIFEE, CA – It has been eight days since Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order, N-33-20, directing all residents to immediately comply with State public health directives to stay home, except as needed in order to continue the operations of essential critical infrastructure industries, with additional ones being identified if they pose issues to the health and well-being of residents and businesses.

Riverside University Health System–Public Health (RUHS-PH), or more commonly known as Riverside County Department of Public Health, announced in a press release yesterday a forecasted model of significant impacts that are expected to occur in Riverside County if the rate of COVID-19 confirmed cases continues along the same trajectory as shown today. The situation is evolving and changes daily as testing becomes more accessible, as seen today in the latest release of confirmed COVID-19 case. The latest list of confirmed cases depicts nearly all Riverside County cities with confirmed COVID-19 cases, showing Menifee with 8 cases, and a total of 185 confirmed cases in Riverside County.

The model provided by RUHS-PH demonstrates COVID-19 confirmed cases are doubling every 4-5 days throughout Riverside County. Assuming the model does not change, as forecasted by RUHS-PH, the following scenarios will occur:

-- All hospitals across Riverside County will reach capacity by April 12 to April 21 (including ICU beds); and

-- All hospitals across Riverside County will be out of ventilators by April 22 - May 5; and

-- By the beginning of May, there will be 1,000 deaths and 50,000 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County;

To end the temporary and painful shutdown of our local economy (which provides many needed jobs and resources required to provide the essential and vital services in cities and regions), residents and businesses need to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and take stay-at-home orders extremely serious.

City of Menifee’s Code Enforcement is working on the issue and handing out warnings of the stay-at-home order to residents gathering, or businesses not complying with the order. The City is working with lead agencies and RUHS-PH, which oversees the health and safety of businesses and is doing spot checks and is working with County Counsel for enforcement.

Non-compliance is a misdemeanor for violating State of Emergency Orders, which is also accompanied by heavy citations. Sheriff Chad Bianco stated in a recent announcement, “that is very important that our law enforcement resources are not overburdened by violations of the Stay-at-Home Order, keeping us from our primary responsibilities in providing public safety.”

“We have been anticipating the number of reported local COVID-19 cases to rise commensurate with the increase in tests being performed,” stated Mayor Bill Zimmerman. “We anticipate higher numbers as we head toward the peak of cases in our region. Remember, residents and businesses can flatten the curve by remaining diligent in following the directives of the County Health Officer.

“The forecasting provided by RUHS-PH only reinforces the need for the stay-at-home (or safely walk, hike or bicycle to enjoy outdoors and not in public gathering areas) orders, with only leaving the house to run vital errands like for essentials needs, prescriptions or medical visits,” stated Mayor Pro Tem Matt Liesemeyer.

“With the recent rise in cases in the County, it’s even more important that residents remain calm, practice social distancing, stay at home, wash their hands, and do not hoard food,” stated Council member Lesa Sobek. “There is not a food shortage; just shop for what you need for a week, and please stay home.”

“At a time when our seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations in the face of the COVID-19 virus, it is extremely vital that residents and businesses, service groups, and organizations limit social gatherings, and unessential trips out of the home,” said Council member Greg August. “The City is working to provide food to this vital population in the city, and aims to ensure that there are no reasons for our seniors to leave their homes.”

“The City of Menifee is urging all businesses and residents to heed the State’s Order,” stated Council member Dean Deines. “The recent positive cases seen are across all age groups, which shows that no one is immune to the virus, and that the stay-at-home orders should be taken seriously. Carelessness can be life threatening to your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues,"

For more information on social distancing, the State of Emergency and stay-at-home orders by the Governor, or for general COVID-19 updates and information, please visit the City’s website at www.cityofmenifee.us/coronavirus or call the City COVID-19 information line at 951-672-9673.