The Davis Enterprise Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Page 1

Food

Green

Pandemic-altered schedule forces tough decision for dual-sport Davis High athlete — Page B2

What does it mean to be sustainable? — Page B6

Sports

Shamrock cookies for St. Pat’s — Page A5

enterprise THE DAVIS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021

Newsom has $6.6B to reopen schools By Edward Booth

The Veterans’ Memorial Center is one of four free, saliva-based COVID-19 testing sites now open to anyone who lives and works in Davis, thanks to Healthy Davis Together.

Enterprise staff writer

Owen Yancher/ Enterprise photo

Testing down as shots ramp up By Anne Ternus-Bellamy Enterprise staff writer Concerns nationally that the number of new COVID-19 cases, which have declined dramatically since January, have now leveled off or even inched up were echoed by the governor on Monday. “We are seeing a bit of a plateau,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “and one needs to be mindful of that.” Those concerns are heightened given the reopening that’s occurring at the same time. Counties like Yolo in the red tier have been able to resume indoor services in restaurants, gyms

and more (at limited capacity), while schools appear to be on the verge of resuming more inperson instruction. The case plateau has also been accompanied by a decline in the amount of COVID-19 testing being done, both nationally as well as here in Yolo County. Experts have offered a number of explanations for the decline in testing, including the decrease in positive cases, which results in fewer people exposed and in need of testing. Other explanations include reduced holiday travel, public health staff prioritizing vaccinations

over testing and pandemic fatigue. Yolo County’s online COVID19 dashboard does show a decline in tests administered. After averaging around 440 COVID-19 tests per day in December and 600 per day in January, the county averaged fewer than 230 tests per day in February — less than any other month since June except for the month of September. Testing does not appear to have decreased on the UC Davis campus, however. The university’s online dashboard shows the number of tests administered there has remained consistent

since November. Likewise, Healthy Davis Together testing continues at a steady clip. Testing in Yolo County also remains as accessible now as it has ever been, including stateand county-run testing offered throughout the county most days of the week. County officials continue to urge residents to take advantage of it. “It’s really important to get tested for COVID,” county spokeswoman Jenny Tan said Monday. “If you leave your house for any reason, please get

See TESTING, Page A3

Healthcare systems grapple with COVID’s impact on finances By Anne Ternus-Bellamy

last year, leading in some cases to acute conditions.

Enterprise staff writer While the rollout of COVID19 vaccines has provided for many a light at the end of a long tunnel, challenges may remain for quite some time for the Yolo County healthcare providers charged with delivering those vaccines. Local healthcare systems, which will continue to focus on the virus and vaccinations for months to come, are also coping with decreased revenue, staff burnout and patients who delayed preventive care over the

VOL. 124 NO. 27

During a COVID-19 community summit hosted by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, representatives of local healthcare systems — along with a variety of other sectors — provided an update on the challenges they are dealing with even as the end of the pandemic may be in sight. Near the top of the list: convincing patients that it is safe to access care, not just for their own well-being, but also for providers’ bottom line.

INDEX

The combination of having to suspend scheduled procedures during COVID-19 surges while many members of the public avoided medical offices out of fear of contracting the virus was a double-whammy for providers. “Hospitals across the country are facing one of the most serious economic downturns ever,” said Gena Bravo, chief executive nurse at Dignity Health Woodland Memorial. “Nonprofit hospitals such as ours have been especially impacted as they serve the most

WEATHER

Business Focus B6 Forum �������������� A4 Per Capita ��������B6 Classifieds ������B3 The Hub ������������B1 Sports ��������������B2 Comics ������������B4 Living ���������������� A5 The Wary I �������� A2

Today: Sunny and cooler. High 66. Low 41. Page B5

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers announced a $6.6 billion budget deal Monday that would incentivize California school districts to open classrooms to the elementary school students from kindergarten to second grade by the end of March. The budget package — contained in California Senate Bill 86 and Assembly Bill 86 — would offer financial incentives for schools to open for in-person learning. Two billion dollars is reserved for grants to fund safety measures for in-person instruction, such as personal protective equipment, COVID-19 testing and ventilation upgrades. An additional $4.6 billion would fund an expansion of social-emotional support and learning opportunities in programs such as summer school, tutoring and mental health services, Newsom said. Districts will lose 1 percent of eligible state funding each day if inperson learning isn't offered to all K-2 and high-needs students by the end of March, with ongoing loss of

See REOPEN, Page A3

Bike subscription company to launch in Davis By Caleb Hampton

vulnerable patients who are uninsured and underinsured,” said Bravo. Like other healthcare systems, Dignity saw revenue and patient volumes decline while costs for PPE, testing and added staff capacity increased. “As a health system, we are a large provider for Medicaid patients and already operate on a slim margin,” Bravo noted. “CARES Act funds are essential to our hospital to help stabilize our finances. Without federal aid, our ability to sustain care

Joe Bike, a bike subscription service based in the Bay Area, announced a soft launch of its services in Davis this week. The company was founded last year after founder and CEO Jesper Wahlberg was inspired by a trip back to his hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark. “All of a sudden, there were these bikes with blue wheels everywhere,” Wahlberg said, referring to the signature bikes of a subscription service now popular in Denmark. “You

See IMPACT, Page A3

See LAUNCH, Page A3

Enterprise staff writer

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