San Mateo County's Coronavirus Case Count Swells to 239

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County Health reported 44 new cases of the new coronavirus and one COVID-19 death Friday.

The county has reported 74 cases over the past two days, a 45% increase over that period.

The county’s sixth reported COVID-19 death was its fifth in three days. The county reported four coronavirus deaths Wednesday and none Thursday.

The spike in the number of infected persons comes amid a three-week shelter-in-place order issued by San Mateo County Health on March 16. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order on March 19 that will continue until further notice.

“These orders are not recommendations, they are rules to be followed,” San Mateo County’s top health officer Scott Morrow said in a statement Monday that followed a weekend in which many Bay Area residents flouted the orders by crowding the beaches and local parks.

“My disappointment stems from the fact that many people just aren’t taking this seriously and going about their business as if nothing has changed. Our world has profoundly changed in an instant. It is now up to you all, the community, to decide what you want your future to be. If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules, you disrespect us all. You spit in our face, and you will contribute to the death toll that will follow.”