The Health Services Department has established a website dedicated to COVID-19, including daily updates. The site is located at: https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/  

Anna Roth, Health Services Director, provided an update on the current situation in the County and state in regard to Covid-19.   There are presently 151,000 cases in California, with in excess of 5,000 fatalities. The numbers continue to rise across the state, with some counties greatly affected. Imperial County has transferred out 300 patients since April: three to the Bay Area, one to Contra Costa. The Health Department is carefully monitoring cases in other counties as well as Contra Costa. San Joaquin and Napa County are both at 80% of their capacity for ICU beds. At this time, Contra Costa County has 2026 cases, with 49 deaths. Five of those deaths were associated with congregate care facilities. There are currently 26 Covid-related hospitalizations and an additional nine residents in an Alameda County facility. This information is available on the County’s public dashboard at cchealth.org.

Ms. Roth noted that there is an increasing positive rate in the tests performed. Infections, hospitalizations and deaths are all increasing.  She noted that the County had received a variance from the state to continue to progress through the reopening phases based on both state guidance and local conditions. She emphasized the great importance of people following health guidelines in regard to hand hygiene, social distancing, wearing a mask, and remaining home if ill. The Health Department continues to recommend to employers to use telecommuting options for employees whenever possible, especially in light of the fact that it appears the rise in numbers is from community spread.

The County has reached almost 50,000 tests cumulatively across the county, with a goal of reaching 2200 tests a day. On June 14 there were 1467 tests. A rolling average of about 870 per day. Every day more facilities are ramping up their capability for testing. There are now testing sites outside the hospitals. A site has been opened in Oak Grove in Concord, another will be open a Kennedy High School at the end of the month. At the seven sites that are operated by the County, the less invasive version of the test is being offered, and we are piloting self-swabbing. 

There is currently no wait time for tests, people can call 1-844-421-0804 to schedule. The line is being answered in an average of 8 seconds. There were some technical difficulties with the phone line over the weekend, which the phone company has resolved.  Ms. Roth encourages everyone to schedule  a test. 

The tracing and investigation units continue to ramp up, with 90 staff ready to do tracing, 32 more coming on board this week, and a request is in to the state for additional 30 people. 

Dr. Tom Warren, Deputy Health Officer, reported the following modifications to the current health order, effective Wednesday, June 17, 2020:

               Hair salons and barbers shops may reopen;

Modification orders regarding swimming pools to be consistent with state orders, mainly an expansion of the number of people who may swim at the same time;

As many as 100 people  or 25 % of the facility capacity may attend a funeral or religious or cultural services held outdoors;

Changing the status of the order from shelter in place to language regarding safety measures such as social distancing;

Updated child care guidance to be consistent with state guidelines, and to keep stable groups of no more than 12 children in place in childcare facilities;

Reusable bags and mugs may now be brought into business establishments, as long as the employees do not touch them.

Speakers:  Denise Pursche, resident of Clayton; unidentified; Rick Towns.