COVID-19
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Bay Area COVID Cases Keep Swelling As Pandemic Persists
There’s no relief for Bay Area counties on the COVID-19 front, as the latest numbers from the state show new cases and hospitalizations driven by subvariants of the coronavirus continuing their steady climb.The Bay Area reported about 42 new daily cases per 100,000 residents on Tuesday, up from 35 a week ago. Eight of the nine counties in the region are among those that have the highest infection rate in California, with San Francisco reporting 54 daily cases per 100,000 residents. Health officials say the actual number of infections is probably much higher because of people testing at home or not getting tested at all. SF Chronicle Read more
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How The Bay Area’s COVID Death Rates Compare To The 140 Largest U.S. Counties
The list is long, but it’s not hard to find the Bay Area among the lowest COVID-19 death rates for the U.S.’s 140 largest counties. Try numbers 1 (San Francisco), 2 (San Mateo), 5 (Contra Costa), 9 (Alameda) and 10 (Santa Clara). That’s according to a Bay Area News Group analysis of data on COVID-19 death rates through May 7, the most recent available from the CDC, and 2020 U.S. Census population figures for counties with more than 500,000 residents. Mercury News Read more
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How Bay Area COVID Vaccination Rates Compare To Largest U.S. Counties
One of the Bay Area’s most powerful weapons in keeping its COVID-19 death rate so low was not a secret one. It was the region’s embrace of vaccines. But the impact of those vaccinations is breathtaking. At more than 80%, the Bay Area’s collective vaccination rate topped the U.S. average of 66% — and here’s what that meant: The Bay Area’s COVID death rate since May 2021, when vaccines became widely available, is lower than any state’s in the country. Mercury News Read more
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Homelessness Surged 35% In Contra Costa County, 22% In Alameda County During the Pandemic
The Bay Area’s homeless population swelled significantly in several counties during the pandemic — with Contra Costa County up 35% and Alameda County reporting a 22% jump— while the tally dipped slightly in San Francisco and Sonoma since 2019, according to new data released Monday. The numbers come from one-day “point-in-time” surveys conducted earlier this year, which had been delayed by the pandemic, and reflect uneven results in regional efforts to manage the homelessness crisis. Six of nine Bay Area counties released estimates on Monday: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Sonoma. They posted a combined 8% increase in the regional homeless population, up to 34,636 people this year compared with 32,043 three years ago. SF Chronicle Read more
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Apple Delays Plans To Bring Workers Back To Office Three Days A Week
Apple has indefinitely postponed plans to require its workers to return to office three days per week amid rising COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area. The delayed plans, first reported by Bloomberg, marked the latest setback in the company’s effort to require employees to report to work in person for the majority of the workweek.
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How The Latest COVID Surge Is Wreaking Havoc On Bay Area Restaurants — Again
The buzz was starting to build around Handroll Project, a new San Francisco sushi restaurant with an impressive pedigree, when everything came to a grinding halt last week. A chef tested positive for COVID-19, then two staff members started feeling sick. So before it could even officially open, Handroll Project shut down for four days — a major blow for a new restaurant just gaining momentum. SF Chronicle Read more
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COVID Vaccine/Treatment News |
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Q&A: A Parents’ Guide To COVID Booster Shots For Kids 5-11
With COVID-19 cases rising again in the Bay Area, parents have a new consideration for protecting their children this week: The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization Tuesday for kids ages 5-11 to get a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. So should they? Tuesday’s announcement didn’t include much guidance for parents, who may have a mountain of questions about what to do next. Here’s a few questions and answers about the latest on boosters and vaccines for kids. East Bay Times Read more
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Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Prevented Almost 700,000 Hospitalizations, According To Study
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine prevented almost 700,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. and saved more than $70 billion in costs over one year, a new study has found.
Published on Sunday in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Economics, the study concluded that the vaccine prevented 8.7 million symptomatic cases of the virus in America as well as 690,000 hospitalizations and over 110,000 deaths. Additionally, it saved over $30 billion in healthcare costs and over $40 billion in lost productivity, the study found. Jerusalem Post Read more
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What Happens When The Government Stops Buying COVID-19 Vaccines?
The federal government has distributed COVID-19 vaccines and treatments for free so far, but most likely, the handouts won’t last forever. At some point, COVID-19 vaccines and treatments will be bought and sold just like other drugs and medical products. But big questions loom about how and when the transition will happen, about how bumpy it will be. The issue has gained urgency in recent weeks as Congress has been reluctant to provide the Biden administration with any additional funds to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. That means the government is out of money to purchase more vaccines, oral antivirals, and therapeutics, not to mention next-generation vaccines and therapies tailored to particular variants. STAT Read more
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Third Round Of Free COVID-19 Tests Now Available
The federal government started taking orders Monday for a third round of COVID-19 test kits to be mailed to any U.S. household. A Department of Health and Human Services website said Monday that all U.S. households were eligible to order a third round of tests. Each order now contains eight rapid antigen tests, the U.S. Postal Service website says. Previously, four tests were sent out at a time. NBC News
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FDA Authorizes First Non-Prescription Test For COVID-19, Flu, RSV
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the first non-prescription COVID-19 test that can also detect the flu and RSV, the agency announced on Monday. In addition to COVID-19, the test can detect other respiratory viruses, including influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. With the newly authorized test from Labcorp, individuals can collect their own nasal swab at home and send the sample to Labcorp for testing. They can then access their results through an online portal, with a health care provider following up about positive or invalid results. AXIOS Read more
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State/National/International News |
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White House Virus Briefings Return
The White House held a coronavirus briefing on Wednesday after a six-week hiatus, as caseloads and hospitalizations climb around the country and the Biden administration signaled that it would extend its declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency. The briefing was the first formal on-camera session led by President Biden’s new coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Ashish K. Jha. Dr. Jha warned that the nation was seeing a very substantial increase in virus infections — a sign that COVID is not over. He called on Congress to authorize funding so the federal government can buy vaccines and treatments that Americans will need in the fall. NY Times Read more
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U.S. Cities Step Up Their COVID Guidance, But Stop Short Of Imposing Mandates
Cities and health agencies across the country are stepping up their recommendations for measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, but stopping short of imposing sweeping mandates. The measures come as the omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 continues to spread in the country, almost overtaking BA.2, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the week ending on May 14. The New York City Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene issued an advisory Monday calling on people to mask up in indoor places, including stores and offices, irrespective of vaccination status, as cases have been steadily rising and “increasing pressure on the health system.” HuffPost Read more
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How COVID Could Determine The NBA Title — "You Pray That It Does Not Influence The Way The Season Ends"
As Warriors coach Steve Kerr was driving to work last week ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals series, his focus wasn’t on the Memphis Grizzlies, but rather on his cough, his congestion, and the cases of COVID-19 that had popped up at the team’s San Francisco facility. The NBA made testing for the disease — once mandatory and daily — an effectively voluntary practice for vaccinated players and coaches this season. In February, Kerr had, like so many of us, stopped wearing a mask when he was at work, on the sidelines. No one actually likes wearing them. But Kerr was concerned enough that he put the mask back on for Game 3 of the series on the first weekend in May. Then, Kerr tested positive for COVID two hours before Game 4. Mercury News Read more
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How Often Can You Be Infected With The Coronavirus?
A virus that shows no signs of disappearing, variants that are adept at dodging the body’s defenses, and waves of infections two, maybe three times a year — this may be the future of COVID-19, some scientists now fear. The central problem is that the coronavirus has become more adept at reinfecting people. Already, those infected with the first Omicron variant are reporting second infections with the newer versions of the variant — BA.2 or BA2.12.1 in the United States, or BA.4 and BA.5 in South Africa. Those people may go on to have third or fourth infections, even within this year, researchers said in interviews. NY Times Read more
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"That’s Just Part Of Aging": Long COVID Symptoms Are Often Overlooked In Seniors
Nearly 18 months after getting COVID-19 and spending weeks in the hospital, Terry Bell struggles with hanging up his shirts and pants after doing the laundry. Lifting his clothes, raising his arms, arranging items in his closet leave Bell short of breath and often trigger severe fatigue. He walks with a cane, only short distances. He’s 50 pounds lighter than when the virus struck. Bell, 70, is among millions of older adults who have grappled with long COVID — a population that has received little attention even though research suggests seniors are more likely to develop the poorly understood condition than younger or middle-aged adults. Kaiser Health News Read more
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Japan’s Tiny Tourism Test Will Let In 50 Foreign Travelers
Japan is preparing to welcome a small number of tourists back to the country after shutting its borders during the pandemic — but don’t count on being one of them. In a test to prepare for a larger resumption of travel, the country is planning to allow about 50 vaccinated-and-boosted travelers to visit as part of organized tours later this month, the Japan Tourism Agency said Tuesday. The pool of 50 travelers will be allowed from four countries Japan has designated as priority markets, including the United States. Washington Post Read more
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2 Years Into COVID-19, Some Remain In Complete Isolation
For millions, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant working from home, seeing friends and family less and other changes to life as they knew it. In many cases, it also meant dealing with the virus either themselves or with a loved one. Restrictions came and went and widespread vaccination and boosters brought the promise of a return to normalcy, especially as the omicron wave subsided. But for some, the pandemic has meant one thing - isolation with no end in sight. ABC News Read more
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Total Confirmed Cases
Bay Area: 1,380,696
California: 9,398,581
U.S.: 83,477,730
Alameda County
Primary Vaccine Series Completed: 86.1%
Total Cases: 274,670
Total Deaths: 1,873
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 6.8%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 5/18): 79
ICU Beds Available (as of 5/18): 95
The community level of COVID-19 in Alameda County is medium based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C.. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has risen in the Alameda County area. Deaths have decreased. NY Times
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Total Reported Deaths
Bay Area: 8,416
California: 90,887
U.S.: 1,007,186
Contra Costa County
Primary Vaccine Series Completed: 86.6%
Total Cases: 201,468
Total Deaths: 1,302
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 9.7%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 5/18): 57
ICU Beds Available (as of 5/18): 46
The community level of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County is low based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C.. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has risen in the Contra Costa area. Deaths have remained at about the same level.
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How Better Ventilation Can Help "COVID-Proof" Your Home
For two years, you beat the odds. You masked, kept your distance, got your shots. Now, despite those efforts, you, your child, or someone else in your home has come down with COVID-19. And the last thing you want is for the virus to spread to everyone in the family or household. But how do you prevent it from circulating when you live in close quarters? Kaiser Health News Read more
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- COVID-19 testing is a good idea, but keep in mind, people who test negative can still harbor the virus if they are early in their infection.
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A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
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An antibody test might tell you if you had a past infection.
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Over the past week, Alameda County has averaged 650 new cases and 0.9 new deaths per day.
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Over the past week, Contra Costa County has averaged 436 new cases and 0.3 new deaths per day.
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Alameda County, cumulative
as of 5/18/2022
Oakland: 80,215
Hayward: 34,844
Fremont: 28,469
San Leandro: 16,647
Berkeley: 15,579
Eden MAC: 15,291
Livermore: 13,564
Union City: 12,014
Alameda: 9,703
Castro Valley: 9,469
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Contra Costa County, cumulative
as of 5/18/2022
Richmond: 29,212
Antioch: 26,470
Concord: 21,735
Pittsburg: 17,176
San Pablo: 12,393
Brentwood: 12,100
Walnut Creek: 10,400
Oakley: 9,988
San Ramon: 9,155
Martinez: 6,774
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About Eden Health District |
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The Eden Health District Board of Directors are Chair Mariellen Faria, Vice Chair Pam Russo, Secretary/Treasurer Roxann Lewis, Gordon Galvan and Ed Hernandez. The Chief Executive Officer is Mark Friedman.
The Eden Health District is committed to ensuring that policy makers and community members receive accurate and timely information to help make the best policy and personal choices to meet and overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We welcome your feedback on our bulletin. Please contact editor Lisa Mahoney.
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