34 Cases Of Coronavirus In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases, or COVID-19, has grown exponentially in Contra Costa County, according to Contra Costa Health Services. As of midday Monday, the number of county residents with coronavirus has now reached 34. When county supervisors declared a state of emergency last Tuesday, there were just 10.

As of midday on Monday, there have been no coronavirus-linked deaths in Contra Costa County.

The threat of coronavirus and its history of overwhelming health care systems where it grew out of control, such as in China and Italy, has prompted the unprecedented decision to lock-down six Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa.

The shelter-in-place order that takes effect at midnight also applies to residents in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Marin counties through at least April 7. Non-essential gatherings and travel are banned as part of the order, which also directs residents to work from home or stop working unless they provide an "essential service" like those in the health care industry and law enforcement officers.

Essential businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, veterinary offices, gas stations and banks will also remain open under the order.

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The county and state have been slowly clamping down on public gatherings over the past two weeks in an effort to flatten the curve, or slow illnesses.

— Patch editors Bea Karnes and Maggie Fusek, and Bay City News contributed to this story

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