The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Friday morning include:
- Bay Area health officials recommended that residents use a cloth to cover their nose and mouth when leaving their homes to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The new recommendation comes from the California Department of Public Health, and should be combined with regular hand-washing and social distancing.
- San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter announced on Thursday that the city has launched a new online volunteer hub where community residents can register to serve as volunteers to help people in need during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- The Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center opened a novel coronavirus testing site, offering walk-up and drive-thru testing. The site is located in the hospital’s parking lot on the corner of 23rd Street and Potrero Avenue and will offer testing appointments every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- The Golden Gate Fields horse racing track in Albany suspended all racing activities Thursday due to the novel coronavirus pandemic after being contacted by the Alameda County Public Health Officer. The track has been closed to the public since mid-March but was still running races that people could watch and bet on remotely.
- Fremont will open a COVID-19 testing site at the Fremont Fire Tactical Training Center at 7200 Stevenson Blvd. The site will provide an opportunity for the sick, first responders and front-line healthcare personnel with suspected recent exposures of the virus to be tested for free.
- As of Friday at 9:30 a.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases in the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Thurs., Apr. 2):
- Alameda County: 416 cases (+57), 9 deaths (+1)
- Contra Costa County: 276 cases (+26), 3 deaths
- Marin County: 118 cases (+10), 6 deaths
- Monterey County: 48 cases (+6), 2 deaths
- Napa County: 18 cases, 1 death
- San Francisco County: 497 cases (+47), 7 deaths
- San Mateo County: 486 cases (+33), 13 deaths (+3)
- Santa Clara County: 1,019 cases (+63), 36 deaths (+4)
- Santa Cruz County: 57 cases (+3), 1 death
- Solano County: 61 cases (+7), 1 death (+1)
- Sonoma County: 95 cases (+4), 1 death
- Statewide: 11,187 cases (1,234), 244 deaths (+31)