Since Wednesday evening, an additional 1,774 people have died in the U.S. of complications related to Covid-19. In California, that number rose by nearly 50 in the same time period. Here’s a look at how the Bay Area region is coping with effects of the pandemic as of Thursday.
Source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center COVID-19 tracking tool as of Thursday at 6:21 p.m.
Open SFBay Worldwide coronavirus tracker.Source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center COVID-19 tracking tool as of Thursday at 6:21 p.m.
United in this fight. Together — we can meet this moment. 💪 https://t.co/b0otYc5QWa
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 9, 2020
U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney ordered that four immigrants be released from detention facilities due to their serious medical problems that puts them at high risk of Covid-19 complications. The judge issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday.
The order requires that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and attorneys for the detainees file a release plan by Friday for the four people, two of which are being held in Yuba County Jail and two others from Mesa Verde ICE Processing Facility.
The transit system continues to see ridership fall after BART adjusted schedules Wednesday — trains now run every 30 minutes.
BART saw a 93 percent drop in ridership Wednesday when compared to April ridership projections by the transit agency. BART officials estimate the transit agency is losing $9 million every week.
At a meeting of BART’s Board of Directors Thursday, staff said that the agency now faces a projected $173.5 million deficit for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on June 30.
Source: The Alameda County Public Health Department with data reported through Wednesday.
It was announced Thursday that an additional Covid-19 patient has died from the Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hayward, bringing the death toll up to seven. The number of confirmed cases at the nursing home facility has grown to 65 with the addition of six cases since Wednesday. Of those confirmed, 25 are staff members and 40 are residents.
The Castro Valley East Bay Post-Acute Healthcare Center is now reporting 31 positive coronavirus cases, including 20 staff members and 11 residents.
Both facilities have been fined within the past two years for violations by the California Department of Public Health.
The number of Santa Rita Jail inmates who have contracted Covid-19 rose to 12 as of Thursday, according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
Source: The City of Berkeley as of Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Berkeley reports separately from Alameda County.
The city has established a Berkeley Arts Organization Continuity Grants $1 million fund as emergency relief for losses suffered by arts organizations due to Covid-19. Berkeley-based nonprofit arts organizations can apply for $25,000 grants but must do so by April 20, 2020 at 5 p.m. Further eligibility details and links to the online application can be accessed on the city’s website.
The health officer announced the city’s first coronavirus-related death Thursday. The patient was in their 40s with underlying medical issues.
Source: Contra Costa Health Services as of Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
Shelter Inc. announced Thursday that they have acquired 65 motel rooms for homeless Concord residents. The rooms will be operated like a single-room occupancy hotel and are available to shelter individuals for at least four months amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The group is also expanding their regular homeless prevention services.
West Contra Costa Unified School District announced they will be providing supper in addition to lunch for students free of charge at select campuses.
Source: Marin Health and Human Services as of Thursday.
Source: Department of Health and Human Services as of Thursday.
Source: San Francisco Department of Public Health as of Thursday.
Mayor London Breed and District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced Thursday that The City has acquired 20 furnished apartment buildings to house survivors of domestic violence.
The District Attorney’s Office said they noticed a 60 percent spike in clients referred to the office’s Victim Services Unit during the first week of The City’s shelter-in-place order, though the referrals dropped by 33 percent in the second week.
Boudin said in a statement that while residents are sheltering in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, domestic violence survivors are at a greater risk of being victimized by their abusers.
He said:
“Now more than ever, we must work together to ensure that the most vulnerable of our victims have a place to shelter free from abuse. We have come up with an immediate plan for 20 furnished apartments and are working collaboratively to find shelter for many more survivors in the coming days.”
Veritas, one of the Bay Area’s largest owner of tenant buildings, is providing San Francisco with the 20 units, according to the mayor.
Breed said in a statement:
“I’m grateful to Veritas for stepping up and donating these 20 homes so that we have some additional resources for people who need help during this uniquely challenging time.”
Executive Director Kathy Black of La Casa de las Madres, a center that provides support for domestic violence survivors, said the organization remains open during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Black said:
“We know that as this pandemic goes on, there will be an increased need for services and shelter, and these 20 temporary homes are a good place to start. I’m glad to see the City taking action to protect our most vulnerable residents and am thankful for Mayor Breed’s efforts to support survivors.”
The City also announced Thursday that it will continue to operate emergency child and youth care centers at least until June 2.
Breed said the centers have focused on providing child care services for San Francisco’s essential workers who have children of their own.
She said:
“Parenting during a pandemic is stressful enough as is it, and parents who are working on the frontlines shouldn’t have to worry about finding or paying for safe, quality care for their children while they’re at work.”
Emergency care began March 16 with 28 locations citywide. The service is offered to city employees who work in hospitals and clinics, employees of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, City employees activated as Disaster Service Workers, other essential City workers and low-income families on the Recreation and Park Department’s scholarship list.
Source: San Mateo County Health Department with data reported through Wednesday.
Source: Santa Clara County Public Health Department as of Thursday.
Santa Clara County officials are considering the sole use of mail-in ballots for the November election in light of the 2019 novel coronavirus that has been concentrated in the region. Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez put out a news release addressing the upcoming election and outreach efforts that would be required to pull off the vote-by-mail option for the approximate 900,000 eligible voters, including those in jail, nursing homes and senior living facilities.
Source: Solano Public Health as of Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Open SFBay USA coronavirus tracker.Source: County of Sonoma as of Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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