Four new cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in Alameda County, bringing the county’s total number of confirmed cases to seven, county Public Health Department officials said.
Two of the new cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19, are linked to previously confirmed cases in the county, but the other two are the first reported cases in the county that are indicative of community-acquired transmission, according to the department.
The department also said it is following an order by Gov. Gavin Newsom by banning gatherings of more than 250 people. Alameda County Health Care Services Agency “supports the state’s efforts to slow and reduce the reach of COVID-19 in our community,” Director Colleen Chawla said.
The order applies to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton and other locations where large gatherings take place. “The county is stepping forward with the order to limit fairground gatherings to demonstrate leadership in complying with and supporting guidance from our Governor and state public health officials,” Chawla said.
Dr. Erica Pan, the county’s health officer, said, “Taking these additional preventive measures now will help us reduce the number of people who get sick, and avoid prolonged adverse impacts on our health care system, workforce, and communities.”
“We have the opportunity to slow down this pandemic and decrease its impact by reducing the spread of virus from person-to-person. This means substantially limiting the number of individuals and places that people come together,” Pan said.