Sacramento County is suddenly seeing COVID-19 cases at a rate not seen in two months as bars and health clubs and other businesses are allowed to reopen.
But the health official in charge of Sacramento County’s response to the coronavirus pandemic says the higher caseloads aren’t reason enough to “tap the brakes” on the reopening of the economy.
Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county’s health services director, said in an interview Monday that the increased caseloads don’t appear connected to the gradual resumption of economic activity. Rather, Beilenson said the numbers are being driven by increased testing as well as large gatherings of people at birthday parties and other non-business settings.
“It really doesn’t make much sense or difference to restrict the businesses,” he said.