The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 20 to terminate the local health emergency that was extended late last month, for the respiratory virus known as RSV.
The emergency allows the county to access federal and state resources for assistance and seek mutual aid from neighboring counties.
The emergency declaration was initiated on Nov. 1 after the county health officer pointed to a sharp rise in RSV cases.
County supervisors extended the emergency Nov. 29 after spokespersons for local medical facilities told them hospitals were at maximum capacity with children affected by the virus.
Staff from Providence St. Joseph Hospital said their emergency department was at record capacity and pleaded in support of the extension….