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Tuesday November 10, 2020
In response to evidence that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Contra Costa, the California Department of Public Health (CRPD) today put the county back in the red level on its plan for a safer economy, further restoring security requirements to slow down the virus and save lives.
The average daily number of new confirmed COVID-19 is on the rise in Contra Costa, and in the Bay Area and U.S. health officials are urging residents of the county to think about how they are protecting themselves and their families. families against the virus, and what they can do to make the holiday season safer.
“The most critical way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to wear a face mask whenever you are around people who don’t live with you, and whenever you go to a building that isn’t. not your home, ”said Dr Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa Health Officer. “Face masks help prevent people who don’t know they are infected from spreading the virus to others. My mask protects you. Your mask protects me. Masks also provide direct protection for the wearer.”
Most new cases of COVID-19 in Contra Costa spread inside the home, with an infected member of a household passing the virus on to people they live with. Face covers in public reduce the risk of bringing COVID-19 into the home, where people typically do not mask themselves or practice physical distancing.
Data from Contra Costa shows that the average daily number of newly identified COVID-19 infections has increased steadily since the county entered the orange level of the state plan on October 27.
As of Tuesday, the 7-day per capita average number of new cases (the “adjusted case rate”) was 5.3 in Contra Costa, higher than that allowed for orange-level counties for a second consecutive week. This triggered the county’s shift to the more restrictive red level, in effect today.
Other data shows an alarming increase in local cases. On November 8, for example, 46 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Contra Costa – the highest single-day total since September.
In response to the data, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) last week issued a local health ordinance that reinstated red-level safety restrictions for a number of businesses and activities, although the county remained in the orange level at the time.
These changes remain in effect today, including requirements for reduced occupancy during indoor worship services and for indoor restaurants and cinemas, and the closure of bars that do not serve meals with l ‘alcohol. Card rooms must operate outdoors only.
State action today adds these additional requirements, starting Friday, November 13 at Contra Costa:
- Retail stores that operate indoors must reduce their maximum occupancy to 50% or 100 people, whichever is lower.
- Indoor shopping centers should reduce their occupancy rate and reduce the occupancy rate of food courts to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less.
- Office workspaces must operate remotely.
- Higher education institutions must maintain classroom lectures and student gatherings at 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less.
- Gyms and fitness centers should reduce their indoor occupancy to 10%.
- Communal indoor pools must close.
- Indoor family entertainment centers, such as bowling alleys, are to close their indoor operations. Amusement parks cannot operate.
- Most outdoor theatrical, musical or artistic performances are prohibited.
The change in level does not affect the ability of schools to reopen for in-person instruction, in accordance with national and local health guidelines. Outdoor playgrounds can also remain open.
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for local information on COVID-19. For questions about the details of national or local health care orders in Contra Costa County, visit our online FAQs or call 1-844-729-8410.
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