Santa Clara County Reports 15 New COVID-19 Cases, No Deaths

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara County Public Health Department reported 15 additional cases of the new coronavirus Wednesday.

The report brings the countywide total of COVID-19 cases to 3,032.

The county reported no additional coronavirus-related fatalities, leaving its death toll at 146.

There are currently 61 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Santa Clara County, of which 22 are being treated in intensive care units.

Elsewhere around the Bay Area and beyond, a BART employee who interacts with the public tested positive for the coronavirus, BART officials said they learned Tuesday afternoon. Before the test, the employee had on gloves and a mask and kept themselves at a distance from others when they were working. The person is now in quarantine, according to BART officials.

Outdoor dining can begin Friday in San Francisco as the city starts easing restrictions to its stay home order, Mayor London Breed announced Tuesday. The restaurants will be permitted to operate in public spaces like sidewalks, streets, parks and plazas as long as proper health and safety protocols are in place to protect customers from the coronavirus.

The Children's Museum of Sonoma County announced Tuesday that it will not reopen until next year to protect the health and safety of children and families during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Employee layoffs and furloughs, fewer library hours, reduced support of local programs and community groups, cuts in capital project funding and parking changes are likely in the offing to allow the city of Walnut Creek to plug an anticipated $15.7 million budget gap, the result of revenues lost because of the COVID-19 coronavirus and its effect on businesses and arts programs.

There have been 137,922 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,779 coronavirus-related deaths in California as of Wednesday afternoon according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The United States had 1,997,636 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 112,769 coronavirus-related fatalities as of Wednesday afternoon.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know