Coronavirus Cases In El Cerrito, Deaths In Contra Costa

EL CERRITO, CA — Contra Costa County and other Bay Area health departments issued a joint order on Monday "that allows retail establishments to offer storefront pick-up, and also allows the manufacturing, warehousing, and logistical operations that support retail to resume."

It's a significant step toward loosening the strict stay-at-home order that we've been under for weeks.

And then Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state is moving toward Phase 3 of reopening.

• Retail, Manufacturing, More Openings: New Bay Area Health Order
• California Eases Reopening Rules; Stage 3 May Be Weeks Away

All reopening plans are based on the stabilization of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

On Monday, Contra Costa Health Services announced that 9 people in El Cerrito have been diagnosed with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, the same as last Monday.

In Contra Costa County, there have been 1,155 cases and 33 deaths. For perspective, 50 fewer people have lost their lives here in comparison to neighboring Alameda County.

Statewide, there have been 3,242 deaths, while nationwide, 90,194 Americans have died. In the past week, 10,000 people have died of coronavirus in the United States.

Back here at home, health officials said in a join statement that the following indicators allowed the loosening of restrictions:

• The trend of new cases of COVID-19 has been stable or decreasing, even with increased testing
• The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is stable or declining, and hospital capacity is sufficient for both COVID-19 patients and other patients who need hospital care
• More COVID-19 tests are being performed in our region each day
• Hospitals are reporting improved supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), though shortages continue in certain healthcare settings
• There is increased capacity for case investigation and contact tracing

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know

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