As we face a sharp increase in COVID-19 rates and hospitalizations, Contra Costa County Health Services
delayed the reopening
of bars, indoor dining, gyms and nail salons, which were scheduled to open July 1st.
With the sharp rise in community spread and hospitalizations, it does not make sense at this time to open additional business sectors that could further accelerate community transmission. These businesses and activities will remain closed in Contra Costa until county data indicate that the spread of the virus has slowed, as measured by at least a week of stable case numbers, hospitalizations and percent of tests that are positive. Trends will be monitored and evaluated daily.
We did great work together, but the current upward trend means we have to keep at it!
Our -- continued -- collective actions are urgently needed to protect all of us, including our friends and loved ones at risk of getting seriously ill and/or dying from COVID-19.
Our health department's decisions are based on data and science.
Between June 15 and June 29, the seven-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the county has increased 75%, and the seven-day average number of new COVID-19 cases has increased from 38 to 87 per day. In addition, the percentage of COVID-19 tests that came back positive increased from 4% to 6%. This suggests that a true increase in community spread, not just increased testing, is driving this serious negative trend.
More young people are now testing positive. In June 55% of those testing positive in Contra Costa were under 40 years old, compared to 38% in April.
What does this mean in our everyday lives?
We need to keep practicing the preventive actions we know can help slow the spread of the virus:
- Wear face coverings in public in most settings.
- Maintain six feet of social distance from each other, except for those in the same household (or social pod such as a summer camp group).
- Wash hands often.
- Stay home if you have symptoms, and get tested!
- Consider getting tested if you don't have symptoms.
Contra Costa has
free testing available in many locations for people with or without symptoms, and of any immigration status. Testing is confidential.
In West County, testing is available at the West County Health Center in San Pablo, the Pinole Library, and, starting today (June 29) at Kennedy High School in Richmond.
To make an appointment at any site in Contra Costa, call 1-844-421-0804 or visit
cchealth.org/coronavirus. O
nline scheduling isn't available for all sites.
Our vigilance is showing true kindness for each other. We all have people in our lives at risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Protecting ourselves is protecting everyone.
