Coronavirus Cases Surge In Alameda County; Nat'l Guard Called Up

ALAMEDA COUNTY — The number of coronavirus cases in Alameda County surged to 65 on Saturday, an increase of 20 cases over Friday, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department. No coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the county.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom called up the National Guard Friday to assist deliveries at the state's food banks.

Grappling with the coronavirus crisis, the governor said the executive order will provide short-term food security to isolated and vulnerable Californians and the short deployment will help to stabilize the immediate need of food banks.

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The governor's office noted that many food banks have been affected by a significant decline in volunteerism, impacting logistical and local infrastructure for food distribution. The California Guard will initially deploy personnel and logistical equipment to a food bank distribution warehouse in Sacramento County and will conduct immediate site assessments statewide for those counties that have requested short-term support and stabilization.

This short-term assistance from the California National Guard allows time to mobilize AmeriCorps, California Conservation Corps and Local Conservation Corps members, and other volunteers where counties have identified serious gaps, the governor's office said.

Michael Altfest of the Alameda Food Bank said that new distribution programs are among his biggest challenges. His group is organizing pop-up food distribution and is looking forward to the help coming from the National Guard. "Getting extra human resources," is vital Altfest said Saturday.

He also emphasized the need for funding donations. "What people don't realize is that we purchase most of our food," Altfest said.

But in contrast to what the governor said, Altfest said that the food bank has seen an increase in volunteers eager to help out. "We have 112 people who are very committed to the health of our community," he added.

But Altfest did admit, "We are all worried about the coming surge" of infected patients.

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The state's food deployment strategy also launches the Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign, which calls on neighbors to be first line of support for California's most vulnerable residents who have been advised to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign is focused on older adults and promotes ways to safely check on your neighbors, family and friends, and will be run by California Volunteers, the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering and civic action.

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story