Santa Clara County Reports 18 New Coronavirus Cases, 1 Death

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara County Public Health Department reported 18 additional cases of the new coronavirus Friday.

The latest report brings the countywide total of COVID-19 cases to 2,403.

The county reported one additional coronavirus-related fatality, bringing its death toll to 135.

There are currently 91 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Santa Clara County, of which 27 are being treated in intensive care units.

Elsewhere in the Bay Area, Contra Costa County health officials issued a health order Friday that will allow outdoor gatherings to resume provided that attendees remain in their vehicles.

The order, which goes into effect May 19, will offer a new gathering option for events like religious services and academic graduation ceremonies that have been canceled or moved online as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax on Thursday released guidelines for businesses in the city eligible for curbside or storefront pickup, beginning Monday at 10 a.m., as the city continues to battle of the spread of COVID-19.

Oakland officials implemented some changes Friday to encourage social distancing at city parks. Food trucks and other vendors will not be permitted in or adjacent to city parks.

All parking lots to parks will be closed and parking around Lake Merritt is banned on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on Memorial Day.

Santa Clara County Superior Court will require all visitors, court staff and judicial officers to wear face coverings in public areas to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, court officials said Thursday.

Judges and other judicial officers will have discretion in their courtrooms to allow the removal of facial coverings for short periods of time.

There have been 76,619 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,136 coronavirus-related deaths in California as of Friday afternoon according to data from John Hopkins University.

The United States has confirmed 1,444,657 COVID-19 cases and 87,530 coronavirus-related fatalities as of Friday afternoon.

More coronavirus coverage:

• Pandemic Spawns ‘Emergency Art Museum’ In South Bay City
• South Bay Teens Launch 'Quarantine Kindness Grams'
• South Bay Teen Takes Coronavirus PPE Fundraiser National

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What to Know