YOLO COUNTY

A spike in novel coronavirus cases in Yolo County landed the county on the state's watchlist, and officials are not taking that lightly as they step up enforcement of COVID-19 health orders.

The county officials unanimously passed an urgency ordinance on Tuesday, giving authorities the ability to issue fines of up to $10,000 to violators, according to a report from KCRA 3 News.

"We're now on the state monitoring list because our cases have gotten so high," said County Supervisor Chair Gary Sandy. "Our ICU beds are now full. If the county has identified a business that has flagrantly disobeyed the guidelines of the orders, then we will go in and our first vote is always education."

Sandy said for repeat offenders, the ordinance gives them another tool to help keep them in compliance and stop the spread of coronavirus in Yolo County.

"It's a good thing, in a way, that's giving more accountability to the store owners to be following those health guidelines," said Woodland resident and business owner Tracie Dang-Perez.

She said brick and mortar business owners have a responsibility to keep customers safe.

Others in the county, like Jeff Wood of Davis, agree it's time to start enforcing the rules with some penalties.