Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Climb In Contra Costa

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — Contra Costa County health officials warned residents Wednesday that the county could be downgraded by the state from the orange to the more restrictive red tier because of an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The move could happen as early as next week.

In response, the county is imposing tougher restrictions, effective Friday. They include:

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

Striking an upbeat tone, health officials stressed that they’re taking these steps to protect the community.

"We believe these measures are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID in our community," Dr. Farnitano said.

Contra Costa entered the orange tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy on Oct. 27. But since then, the average daily number of new cases in the county has grown substantially higher. While the orange tier allows looser restrictions, local health officials have the power to impose stiffer requirements.

According to county health officials, the most recent data show an adjusted rate of 4.9 daily cases per 100,000 people in Contra Costa – above the orange-tier benchmark of fewer than 4 per 100,000 people.

If those numbers hold for another week or increase, Contra Costa will move back into the more restrictive red tier.

In addition, there were 40 people hospitalized on Nov. 2 due to COVID in local hospitals, compared to a low point of 17 in mid-October.

The county did not impose restrictions on these orange tier activities:

• indoor swimming pools
• indoor family entertainment centers such as bowling alleys, escape rooms and climbing-wall gyms