Health & Fitness
Contra Costa County Coronavirus: Increase To 39 Cases
Five new cases were reported on Tuesday. Shelter-in-place "is the best way to manage this virus and protect the health of our community."
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases, or COVID-19, has grown again in Contra Costa County, from 34 on Monday to 39 on Tuesday, according to Contra Costa Health Services. The updated number was reported at midday.
Last Tuesday, when county supervisors declared a state of emergency, there were just 10 cases.
Director of Contra Costa Health Services Anna Roth said in a video posted online Tuesday that the shelter-in-place order that went into effect at midnight is a vital step in stopping the spread of coronavirus, "The order is in place to support social distancing because we know that COVID-19 is now transmitting, spreading in our community, and this order is aiming to slow that spread. We're doing that because we want to protect the most vulnerable in our community as well as reduce the burden on our health care system."
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She emphasized the importance of staying at home, saying that "travel should be limited to essential services only."
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Candace Andersen, chair of the Costra Costa County Board of Supervisors, called the shelter-in-place unprecedented, but said that the county is facing an emergency because of coronavirus. She said, "I get that it is extreme, but it is the best way to manage this virus and protect the health of our community."
Andersen said the decision was based on science, and called this the best way to slow transmission of coronavirus. She pointed out that even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, so-called asymptomatic carriers.
"With your and the rest of the public's cooperation, we're confident we can change the trajectory of this epidemic," said Andersen.
The county has set up a Coronavirus Call Center for more information: 1-844-729-8410.
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