Contra Costa Health Services has officially updated its coronavirus pandemic health order to match California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" so that now the county no longer has different reopening rules for businesses and activities beyond what the state requires or allows.
Most regulations were already closely aligned with state policies; however, county officials say the move simplifies the plan for reducing the spread of COVID-19 and will allow for the reopening of some businesses previously closed by the county.
The newly adopted state policies will officially allow racetracks, cardrooms and personal care services that involve close contact with the face -- except for tattooing, piercing and nonmedical electrolysis -- to begin operating outdoors in Contra Costa County.
Policies will also allow for professional sports events without live audiences and music, television and film production to once again resume.
"Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) continues to monitor data that show how the virus is spreading through our community, including hospitalizations and how the pandemic is impacting the county’s healthcare system. If there is a sudden surge in COVID-19 transmission in the future, the county may need to temporarily impose more restrictions to protect the public health," county officials said in a statement.
According to the CCHS coronavirus dashboard, as of Tuesday morning a total of 15,489 reported cases and 192 deaths have been reported in Contra Costa County. In the San Ramon Valley, San Ramon accounts for 316 confirmed cases, Danville 266 and Alamo 97. San Ramon and Danville have each suffered two deaths apiece.
Infection rates have been trending in a positive direction recently, with Tuesday's positive testing rate resting at 4.1% compared to 8.8% back on Aug. 6.
As of Tuesday, Contra Costa County is among the Bay Area counties that remain classified as a "purple" tier or widespread for coronavirus infection -- the most-restrictive level of California’s four-tier color-coded coronavirus infection classification.
Flu shots
With the county's numbers continuing to trend in a healthier direction, according to the state's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" if coronavirus data tracked shows sustained improvement for two consecutive weeks, the county will move into the red tier, allowing additional businesses and activities to reopen.
With flu season right around the corner, county officials also want to remind residents to schedule a time to receive a flu vaccination.
"One way Contra Costans can help keep our county's healthcare system running smoothly is to get a flu vaccine -- talk to your health provider about getting one," county officials said. "CCHS is also planning community vaccination clinics beginning in October."
People who live or work in Contra Costa County are also encouraged to receive a fast and free COVID-19 test at one of the community testing sites located throughout the county.
"The state has reduced the requirements for moving into less restrictive tiers for counties that test many people every day, and other Bay Area counties have already qualified for this benefit," county officials said.
Residents can make a COVID-19 testing appointment today by calling 1-844-421-0804 or booking online at cchealth.org/coronavirus. The county website is also an official source for local information related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Comments
Registered user
Alamo
on Sep 16, 2020 at 9:37 am
Registered user
on Sep 16, 2020 at 9:37 am
I feel the county and the state have done so much damage with the extreme covid restrictions. More sensible protective measures could have been used, while offering those at risk- the elderly and those with compromised health- more protective guidelines.
People's mental and physical well being, people's jobs and businesses, have all been affected, and we are only starting to see the collateral damage to our economies. It has been said from the beginning by the medical profession that there is almost no risk to kids. So they should be in school. It's a terrible plan keeping them out of school- for all kinds of reasons. Teachers should wear masks and if they are still too afraid, they should go on leave.
None of the dire predictions by Newsom for CA have even come close to happening- 250,000 deaths and 25 million cases in the first 2 months, overrun of hospitals, and shortage of medical staff and respirators, and the need for him to buy $1 billion dollars of masks from China!!
Think about it. If covid is so contagious and deadly, then why didn't all the Costco workers and grocery store clerks who in the first 4-6 weeks worked without masks, gloves or plexiglass and interacted with 1000's of people each week, have massive outbreaks of the virus and large numbers of deaths? Never happened.
Common sense was left behind when decisions were made about covid restrictions.
Registered user
another community
on Sep 16, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Registered user
on Sep 16, 2020 at 2:13 pm
I agree the risk has been vastly exaggerated in Contra Costa County, and local officials have turned a blind eye to the damage being done to our economic security and our children. Re the latter, Contra Costa Health Services has the most restrictive requirements in the state for granting the waiver needed to get elementary school kids back in the school. They've imposed requirements that no other county has and which public school districts can't possibly meet (test every staff member every 2 months with 72 hour results, one teacher for every 14 kids). Then they keep changing the rules to discourage schools from applying. Chief Health Officer Dr. Farnitano (predicted 14,000 deaths, we have 192) and Director Anna Roth need to go, but our only option is to replace the entire Board of Supervisors who have abdicated their responsibility to balance risks. Thank goodness the San Ramon Valley Unified School district cares enough about our kids to take on the faceless bureaucrats in Martinez--they voted last night to pursue the waiver in the face of stubborn opposition from CCHS!