The Imperial County Board of Supervisors held an emergency meeting Friday to discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's recommendation that the County step back and reinstate the stay-at-home order.

During his Friday update on the COVID-19 pandemic in California Newsom said that , due to the extremely high number of positive test results in Imperial County , the county should go back to the order and shut down the Valley again. According to the governor the number of positive coronavirus tests in Imperial County is at least 3 times the state average. Additionally , approximately 500 patients from Imperial County have been transferred to out of Valley health care facilities as far away as Sacramento thus putting an extreme burden on other counties and health care providers.

The Board of Supervisors and county officials are meeting with state officials to discuss what additional steps can be taken by the county to address how to ensure the health and safety of local residents. County officials are also collaborating with the state to see what additional resources are available to assist the county. 

The county remains under a stay-at-home order except for essential needs and services. Facial coverings have remained mandatory when in public as well as the social distancing requirements.