Health & Fitness

3 More Coronavirus Deaths In Alameda County

Dozens of more people have been confirmed to have the illness, as officials ponder further loosening of restrictions.

Some businesses are expected to remain closed permanently.
Some businesses are expected to remain closed permanently. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — As California prepares to further loosen the stay-at-home rules that we've been under for more than a month, Alameda County reported 3 new coronavirus deaths and dozens of new cases on Tuesday.

The death toll is now 66, and 1,809 cases have been confirmed.

Neighboring Contra Costa County also reported a death, bringing the toll there to 29.

Find out what's happening in Fremontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state will begin to lift restrictions in its stay-home order, by allowing some retailers and manufacturers to open for business as early as Friday. This includes clothing stores, bookstores, music and toy stores, sporting goods stores and florists — which will be able to open in time for Mother's Day on Sunday, Newsom pointed out. These businesses must be able to provide curbside pickup, to minimize person-to-person contact.

However, offices, shopping malls and dine-in restaurants will not be permitted to open this week.

Find out what's happening in Fremontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Alameda County's restrictions are tougher than the state, and the county has the option of keeping all restrictions in place.

Once lifted, stay-home orders could be reimposed if virus cases spike again, Newsom said Monday.

Read more about the restrictions: California Starts Reopening This Week: 5 Things To Know

— Patch editor Nick Garber contributed to this article

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.