5 New Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Costra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Health officials on Sunday confirmed five new coronavirus cases in Contra Costa County, bringing the county's official total to nine. Four of the patients had no travel history outside the U.S. and no known contact with another COVID-19 patient, officials said.

Those four patients are being treated at county hospitals, officials said. The fifth patient had close contact with another COVID-19 patient, and is isolating at home.

The county confirmed its first two cases Feb. 25 — two passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were not county residents but were being treated at local hospitals.

Another patient, this time a county resident, was confirmed Tuesday, followed by three more on Friday, two of whom were passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship.

One person who tested positive last week is still hospitalized, while three others are isolating at home, officials said Sunday.

"The coronavirus is here in our community," Dr. Ori Tzvieli, acting Contra Costa Health Officer, said in a statement. "As we ramp up our testing, we expect to identify more cases. But there is still a lot we can do to slow down the spread and protect our most vulnerable."

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On Friday, the county released a set of guidelines for people 50 and older, and people of all ages who suffer from serious illnesses, on how to stay safe:

• If you're sick, stay home until you feel better.
• Older people and people with chronic health conditions should avoid large gatherings.
• Wash hands frequently, and use hand sanitizers when soap and water aren't available.
• Cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Do not buy masks — they are for sick people, and do not prevent healthy people from getting sick.

Related coverage:

• Quarantined Grand Princess Cruise Ship To Dock In Oakland
• CA: State Of Emergency Declared Amid Coronavirus Death, Outbreak