'We're in this for the long run': Health officials say CA will continue adapting to data to mitigate COVID-19

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Days after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued rollbacks in the state's reopening efforts and some schools were told to keep their campuses closed this fall, the State Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mark Ghaly, warned Californians are "in this for the long run" when it comes to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

During a briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Ghaly said the state is continuing its data-driven approach for reopening business sectors and responding to surges in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

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However, Ghaly said the state's first reopening efforts, which began in May, were treated as a "green light to return to normal life" with more people mixing and fewer people wearing face masks.

Ghaly added the surge in coronavirus cases had created challenges for contact tracers to be effective. He urged Californians who have been exposed to the virus, who feel sick or who have tested positive to isolate to help limit COVID-19 transmissions.

The secretary said the state would continue to adapt its restrictions based on data, and that Californians should prepare to adapt as well.

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"We succeeded in the beginning because we call came together," Ghaly said.

He said while it's not clear how long it'll take the governor's latest restrictions and closures to have an effect California's coronavirus cases, he hoped a shift in the data would become apparent in the next two to three weeks.

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