Coronavirus Cases Still Climbing In Alameda County

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — The number of people sickened by the coronavirus continues to soar in Alameda County, which now has more cases than any other Bay Area county.

Santa Clara County, once regarded as the epicenter of the outbreak in California, has reported nearly 2,700 cases. Alameda County reports 3,100 cases, half of which are in Oakland (1,093 cases) and Hayward (585 cases).

The death rate is higher, however, in Santa Clara County, where 140 people have died due to the coronavirus. Ninety-four Alameda County deaths have been linked to COVID-19.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported this week that the Bay Area saw a 40 percent uptick in new cases last week over the previous week, while the state overall saw a 10 percent increase during the same time frame.

Neighboring Contra Costa County saw the biggest week over week change with an increase of 86 percent, the Chronicle reported.

Alameda County Health Officer Erica Pan told the paper she thought the uptick in Alameda County cases had something to do with the county's decision to allow construction workers to return to work. The county announced May 4 that construction could resume, so long as workers follow safety protocols.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom has said counties have the freedom to enact stricter regulations, the state has started winding back some restrictions to restart the economy. Many counties have successfully applied to fully enter into Stage 2 of California's four-tier reopening plan, which allows the reopening of dine-in restaurants, hair salons and offices, among other spaces. No Bay Area counties have been approved yet.

Newsom has issued guidelines on reopening churches and in-store retail, and is expected to give guidance on reopening gyms soon.

Some worry that these changes will come at a price.

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel, a member of the Bay Area Association of Health Officers, said during a Thursday news conference that the state was relaxing regulations more quickly than many public health officials were comfortable with. Reopening churches will be the highest-risk change to come yet, she said.

Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.