Dec. 18, 2020
Anaheim continues to respond to the coronavirus outbreak as we face a second surge in cases across our county, state and nation.

We provide daily updates at Anaheim.net/coronavirus and on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

The newsletter is a weekly summary.

We thank everyone in Anaheim for doing your part to stem the spread of coronavirus in our community, and we want you to know that as your city, we're here for you.

Actualización en español aquí.
Anaheim cases: 19,757

The surge of COVID-19 cases in Anaheim and Orange County continues at an alarming rate. 

Anaheim saw an increase of 3,385 cases in the past seven days, while Orange County saw 19,075 new cases in that time. 

Anaheim is at a cumulative 19,757 cases, with 2,265 among children. 

Orange County is at a cumulative 116,377 cases, with 10,572 among children.

Sadly, Anaheim has seen 372 people pass from complications of COVID-19, the condition caused by coronavirus. The county has seen a total 1,734 deaths.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends who have lost someone dear to them.

As of Dec. 18, the county has processed 1,810,442 polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests, the standard for diagnosing COVID-19 cases.

Orange County, along with a broader Southern California region, remains under a regional stay home order due to low ICU bed availability. In the coming days the state will forecast  the ICU bed availability for our region four weeks from now and decide if the order should be extended.

It's our best guess that the order will be in effect well into January based on the continuing surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. 

As of Dec. 18, the state reports our region's ICU availability at 0 percent. Orange County's ICU availability to treat COVID-19 patients is also at 0 percent. 

Read more at Anaheim.net/reopening. 

The county's current case rate is 42.7 per 100,000 residents.

The county's current positivity rate is 13.2 percent.

Here's a look at the latest data by ZIP codes in our city.

92804: southwest Anaheim

Knott Avenue to the west to Euclid Street to the east, and from Lincoln Avenue to the north to Ball Road to the south. The ZIP code is the most populous in Anaheim. It is also home to the most skilled nursing facilities along and near Beach Boulevard.
  • Population: 92,854
  • Total Cases: 4,866
  • Nursing facility cases: 488
  • Deaths: 145 with 94 from nursing facilities
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 16.8 percent, up from 14.2 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 79.8, up from 37.4 the week prior
92805: central Anaheim

Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway to the west to State College Boulevard, and from the Riverside (91) Freeway to the north to Orangewood Avenue to the south. The ZIP code has the second highest population.
  • Population: 75,069
  • Total Cases: 4,838
  • Nursing facility cases: 102
  • Deaths: 68 with 19 from nursing facilities
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 20.2 percent, up from 18.1 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 92.3, up from 41.5 the week prior
92801: northwest Anaheim

Western Avenue to the west to East Street to the east, Lincoln Avenue to the south to the Riverside (91) Freeway to the north. The ZIP code is home to third highest population.
  • Population: 63,483
  • Total cases: 3,655
  • Nursing facility cases: 92
  • Deaths: 55 with 19 from nursing facilities
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 17.6 percent, up from 15.4 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 84.4, up from 43 the week prior
92802: central-south Anaheim

Euclid Street to the west to the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway to the west, and from Lincoln Avenue to the north to Orangewood Avenue to the south. The ZIP code has the fourth largest number of people.
  • Population: 44,456
  • Total cases: 2,480
  • Nursing facility cases: 122
  • Deaths: 59 with 34 from nursing facilities
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 17.1 percent, up from 16.4 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 83.9, up from 39.8 the week prior
92806: central-east Anaheim

State College Boulevard to the west to Tustin Avenue to the east, and from Orangethorpe Avenue to the north to the Santa Ana River to the south. The ZIP code has the fifth largest number of people.
  • Population: 41,980
  • Total cases: 2,153
  • Nursing facility cases: none
  • Deaths: 23
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 15.8 percent, up from 15.2 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 70.8, up from 41.5 the week prior
92807: Anaheim Canyon, part of east Anaheim

Tustin Avenue to the west to Fairmont Boulevard to the east, Orangethorpe Avenue to the north to Serrano Avenue to the south. The area has the sixth most people.
  • Population: 37,119
  • Total cases: 1,141
  • Nursing facility cases: none
  • Deaths: 14
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 14.5 percent, up from 14.2 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 56.1, up from 31.5 the week prior
92808: east Anaheim

Fairmont Boulevard to the west into the eastern open space, from Riverside (91) Freeway to the north to southern city boundary. The ZIP code includes part of Anaheim's eastern open space with no homes and has the fewest people.
  • Population: 21,603
  • Total cases: 504
  • Nursing facility cases: none
  • Deaths: five
  • Seven-day positivity rate: 12.6 percent, up from 10.7 percent the week prior
  • Seven-day case rate: 39, up from 18.5 the week prior
Among cities, Santa Ana has the most cumulative cases at 23,119, followed by Anaheim at 19,757, Garden Grove at 7,116, Orange at 5,572 and Fullerton at 5,429. 

Find daily updates at Anaheim.net/coronavirus and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Free COVID-19 testing

Testing is available at more locations than ever in Anaheim, still at no cost to residents.

With the holiday next week, many of our COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday and Friday and offering some alternative days.

See schedule below.

Please note: Testing is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!

Testing is in high demand right now, amid a surge in cases in Orange County. Wait times could be longer than usual.

If you show up without an appointment, you'll have to wait until all appointments have been taken, which could take hours.

Making an appointment online is easy to do for any site, whether it be drive-thru or walk-up.

More details and appointment links at Anaheim.net/testing. 
Keep Anaheim Safe

We don't need to tell anyone that coronavirus cases are spiking at an alarming rate.

But starting next week, you'll start seeing a new public awareness campaign across Anaheim.

It is an extension of the communications we have done since February on the pandemic.

This latest messaging reflects where we're at now, and, sadly, an expected surge in cases awaiting us in January.

The campaign is "Keep Anaheim Safe," or "Mantenga Anaheim Seguro" for our Spanish-speaking neighbors.

It urges you to fight COVID-19 in all that you do, whether at home with loved ones, at essential work or on that essential trip to the grocery store.

Fighting the spread of coronavirus means keeping our guard up no matter where we are.

As hard as it is during the holidays, we all know not to gather. And, by now, washing hands, wearing masks and keeping distance should be routine.

Fighting COVID in all you do goes further.

Home is usually our safe space. But we need to be aware some household members may go out for essential work while others stay home. And some homes include grandparents all the way down to babies.

That requires extra thought and precaution -- even wearing masks at home around loved ones if we think we've been exposed.

At essential work, fighting COVID takes masks, constant hand washing, distance, cleaning of surfaces and many other acts of diligence.

On essential outings, that mask is a must, but so are hand sanitizer and wipes.

Consider shopping earlier or later, when markets are less full.

And while we're all yearning to get out, now is not the time for a family outing to the store. Except for small kids who can't be left alone, errands should be done by one household member.

We'll be passing out lawn and window signs, flyers and displaying the Keep Anaheim Safe campaign across our city. 

We invite you to join us.
Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available to the first Californians, starting with critical healthcare workers.

Orange County received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 16, which went to doctors and nurses at area hospitals.

The Federal Drug Administration has given emergency authorization to one vaccine, made by company Pfizer. Distribution of the vaccines began this week across the state.

Another vaccine, by company Moderna, is close to being authorized as well, and more vaccines may be authorized before the end of the year. 

While there's been a lot of talk and politics surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, rest assured that the vaccine is safe.

The vaccine does not contain the virus. It will not give you COVID-19. The vaccine contains biological material that helps your body learn how to fight the virus.

And the vaccines have been carefully evaluated in clinical trials.

Most of the COVID-19 vaccines require two shots given about a month apart.

Initially, vaccine supply will be very limited. The general public will likely be able to get the vaccine in mid-2021.

It's essential that everyone get vaccinated so we can build up immunity and get past this crisis.

But even as we begin distribution of the vaccine, it's still critical that we all follow best practices such as wearing a mask and keeping distance from others. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we're not quite there yet.

In addition to following federal and state guiding criteria, the county has developed a dedicated task force to oversee vaccine distribution.

Anaheim is working closely with the county and our local community partners to ensure targeted, safe distribution of the vaccines. We stand ready to assist with vaccine distribution to our residents.

You can read more on vaccines and find the latest updates at Anaheim.net/vaccines.

More at Anaheim.net/coronavirus
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