Contra Costa Moves Into More-Restrictive Coronavirus Tier

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — Contra Costa moved Tuesday from the orange or moderate tier to the more-restrictive red or substantial tier.

Contra Costa County was one of five counties that moved back into the red tier Tuesday. Santa Cruz, Amador, El Dorado and Placer counties also moved back from the orange tier.

As of Monday, the county’s number of new coronavirus cases was 6.0 per day per 100,000 people. The orange tier requires 1.0 to 3.9 new cases per day, while the more-restrictive red tier is 4.0 to 7.0 new cases per day. In this category, Contra Costa is inching toward the most-restrictive tier — the purple or widespread category — which is anything above 7.0 new cases per day.

The number of new coronavirus cases per day is one of three metrics the state tracks when assigning tiers. The other two are testing positivity and equity. Contra Costa remains in the orange tier in both of those categories.

The other concerning statistic is that 46 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 complications as of Monday’s data, the highest that number has been in Contra Costa since 49 people were in the hospital for COVID-19 on Sept. 22.

Contra Costa is not alone. This surge is being seen in multiple counties across the state, across the country and across the world. Several European nations have imposed lockdowns on their residents as stringent as those in the spring when the COVID-19 virus spread exploded with a vengeance.

Contra Costa County is now one of 22 California counties in the red tier. Another 12 are in the purple tier (widespread risk), while 17 are in the orange tier (moderate risk) and six are in the yellow tier (minimal risk).

California is on track to pass the 1 million mark of coronavirus cases this week. As of Monday, there had been 971,851 confirmed cases since the start of the outbreak.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services secretary, acknowledged during a Tuesday briefing that health officials understand that people are isolated and impatient.

"We know that this is hard work but we must do more," he said.

Officials urged the public to wear a mask, get a flu shot, maintain six feet of distance from others, wash hands frequently and minimize contact with people from other households.

Contra Costa health officials tried to slow the spread of coronavirus last week by imposing more-stringent restrictions than the orange tier requires, but it will take time to see the result of the changes. "We believe these measures are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID in our community," County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said.

The changes that took effect Friday include:

• Limiting the number of spectators allowed at professional and collegiate sporting events.
• Outdoor bars are prohibited (except where allowed under restaurant guidance with drinks as part of a meal).
• Indoor dining is allowed at a maximum of 25 percent occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50 percent occupancy and 200 people).
• Indoor movie theaters can operate at a maximum 25 percent of occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less (down from 50 percent occupancy or 200 people).
• Religious services are allowed indoors at a maximum 25 percent occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less (down from 50 percent occupancy or 200 people).
• Card rooms and satellite wagering sites are not allowed operate indoors (they previously could operate indoors at 25 percent capacity).

Related: Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Climb In Contra Costa

On Monday, health directors for Bay Area counties issued guidance on Thanksgiving celebrations.

Related: Contra Costa County Health Officer Issues Thanksgiving Guidance