Baja California on red alert as it works to flatten curve

MEXICALI, B.C. (KYMA, KECY) - At two weeks until the end of Baja California’s stay-at-home-order, the number of positive COVID-19 cases have exceeded 3 thousand people and total 510 deaths in the state.

Of these, 1,248 cases and 120 deaths are reported in Mexicali.

Although the outlook is not very encouraging, the federal government maintains that June 1 concludes the end of quarantine. The government is also implementing a way of classifying states ready to resume daily life via Mexico’s traffic lights: red, orange, yellow and green.

Currently Baja California is on red alert. This is factored by high risk of infection within major neighboring cities, its number of total infections, and mobility. This classification now forces Baja California to prepare to implement stricter hygiene and safety protocols.

Each week the traffic light classification will change according to changes in the number of confirmed positive cases  until reaching the green-light, signaling a return to normal. 

The opening of industries, public spaces and recreation, will be implemented gradually but this “new  normal” will maintain the new hygiene and safety measures.

Currently in Baja California the curve has not risen. However, health authorities point out that does not mean the pandemic will end soon. On the contrary, greater measures should be taken so that when the quarantine is over, there will be fewer cases of the virus moving forward.

Furthermore, the state government announced that the school year has officially ended, with back-to-school scheduled for August 24.

Governor Jaime Bonilla said if the pandemic continues, there is the possibility for the next school year to continue online.