Coronavirus Death Toll Rises In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — As California prepares to further loosen the stay-at-home rules that we've been under for more than a month, Contra Costa County reported 1 new coronavirus death and 21 new cases on Tuesday.

The death toll is now 29, and 969 cases have been confirmed.

In neighboring Alameda County, 3 new deaths pushed the toll to 66, and 1,809 cases have been confirmed.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state will begin to lift restrictions in its stay-home order, by allowing some retailers and manufacturers to open for business as early as Friday. This includes clothing stores, bookstores, music and toy stores, sporting goods stores and florists — which will be able to open in time for Mother's Day on Sunday, Newsom pointed out. These businesses must be able to provide curbside pickup, to minimize person-to-person contact.

However, offices, shopping malls and dine-in restaurants will not be permitted to open this week.

Contra Costa County's restrictions are tougher than the state, and the county has the option of keeping restrictions in place.

Once lifted, stay-home orders could be reimposed if virus cases spike again, Newsom said Monday.

Read more about the restrictions: California Starts Reopening This Week: 5 Things To Know

— Patch editor Nick Garber contributed to this article

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know

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