Coronavirus Cluster Among Essential Workers Reported In Marin

MARIN COUNTY, CA — No new cases of the coronavirus were reported Monday after a jump in confirmed cases over the weekend in Marin County.

As of Monday, there have been 224 confirmed cases of the virus and 12 deaths in the county.

On Friday, there were 212 confirmed cases. The number went up to 223 on Saturday. An additional case was reported on Sunday.

The increase in cases over the weekend was due to a cluster of cases among essential workers, according to Dr. Lisa Santora, the county's deputy health officer.

"Notably, they were all asymptomatic with a known exposure to a known COVID-19 case," Santora said in a video update Monday.

Santora told Patch the essential workers were not health care workers or first responders. They are employees and household contacts of employees in essential services.

There are less than 12 known cases with multiple employers, she said.

"We are completing our contact investigation and working with employers to assess potential exposures among other employees," she added.

This cluster should serve as a reminder to stay vigilant, Santora said, as people can spread COVID-19 even without showing symptoms.

"This cluster also shows the importance of expanded testing and rigorous contact investigations," she said. "Our public health investigations allow us to slow the spread of COVID-19 by isolating and quarantining COVID-positive patients and exposed individuals."

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News of the cluster came after six Bay Area counties, including Marin, announced Monday they will extend their shelter-in-place orders through the end of May.

The orders, first issued March 16, were set to expire May 3 in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The new order will largely keep the same restrictions in place but with "limited easing of specific restrictions for a small number of lower-risk activities," officials said.

"I understand how disheartening this update is for many. This is a radical change in our way of life," Santora said. "But we need more time to shift our response from mitigation back to containment."

Also see:

• California Coronavirus: Latest Updates On Cases, Orders, Closures
• Coronavirus In Marin County: Latest News
• Bay Area Extends Coronavirus Shelter-In-Place Orders Through May
• Marin County Makes Face Coverings Mandatory: Coronavirus
• Coronavirus: Marin County Sees Signs Of Flattening The Curve
• Marin County Prepares For Surge In Coronavirus Patients
• Marin County Public Health Officer Recovers From Coronavirus
• 10th Coronavirus Death Reported In Marin County
• Marin County Cancels Classes For Rest Of School Year