Update - November 6, 2020 
County Reins In Openings as COVID-19 Rates Increase 
Proactive steps intended to slow surge
With data from the past week showing a marked increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Contra Costa County, health officials are taking steps to protect the community with adjustments to our local health order.

Contra Costa entered the orange tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy on October 27, allowing expanded reopening of businesses and activities. But since then, the average daily number of new cases in the county has grown substantially higher.

If the trend continues, the county is at risk of moving backward into the more-restrictive red tier of the state's blueprint as soon as next week. In response, 
Contra Costa has amended its health orders to limit some of the riskier indoor activities permitted under the orange tier in hopes of preventing outbreaks and keeping the county out of the red.

These include:
  • Spectators at pro or college sporting events are limited to 25 people from no more than three different households.
  • Outdoor bars prohibited (except where allowed under restaurant guidance with drinks as part of a meal).
  • Indoor dining allowed at a maximum of 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy and 200 people).
  • Indoor movie theaters can operate at a maximum 25% of occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy or 200 people).
  • Religious services indoors allowed at a maximum 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy or 200 people).
  • Cardrooms and satellite wagering sites can't operate indoors (they previously could operate indoors at 25% capacity).

The state allows counties to impose stricter standards so local health departments can respond to circumstances in their communities. Over the past months, Bay Area counties have made decisions they've felt best for their communities. San Francisco pulled back on their timeline for opening last week. Alameda and Santa Clara have all taken a slower pace than the state tier system allows. All three of these counties are essentially operating at red tier level restrictions even though they are in the state's orange or yellow tiers.
 
Contra Costa County is still in the orange tier, but at risk of going back to the more restrictive red tier, because of increasing case rates. The most recent data show an adjusted rate of 4.9 daily cases per 100,000 people in Contra Costa - above the orange-tier benchmark of fewer than 4 per 100,000 people.

If those numbers hold for another week or increase, Contra Costa will move back into the red tier.
 
In addition, there were 40 people hospitalized on November 2 due to COVID-19 in local hospitals, compared to a low point of 17 in mid-October.
 
For now, other activities not cited in the new order will still be allowed under orange-tier criteria, which mandates 25% occupancy, including indoor swimming pools and indoor family entertainment centers, as well "naturally distanced" activities, such as bowling alleys, escape rooms and climbing-wall gyms.

All of us should take extra care with our virus prevention, as it appears the county is experiencing a surge, along with the rest of the country. This isn't surprising and was expected.

I know that pulling back on openings is a disappointment. But it's the best way to control a COVID-19 surge, so we can quickly get back to a pathway of reopening.

I'm proud of our health officials taking a proactive step, and I'm proud of all of us, who are working so hard to slow this pandemic! 

Thank you.
  

 
John Gioia
Supervisor, District One 
Contra Costa County 
11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D 
El Cerrito, CA  94530 
510-231-8686 Phone


Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.