The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Wednesday afternoon include:
- Joining a number of other Bay Area cities preparing to help local businesses better succeed when restrictions related to the coronavirus are loosened, Walnut Creek is moving ahead with a plan to, among other things, close off certain streets to allow more outdoor space for restaurants and retailers to operate.
- Some San Francisco businesses will be allowed to operate on city sidewalks, streets or parks thanks to a new program being launched by the city’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. The Shared Spaces Program aim to support local restaurants providing takeout service, as well as beverage vendors and some retail stores by expanding their ability to operate in outdoor public spaces while simultaneously allowing for social distancing among customers and employees.
- Tolls will resume on express lanes in the Bay Area beginning 5 a.m. Monday as traffic volumes have increased amid the easing of restrictions in the region’s shelter-in-place orders related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission announced Wednesday.
- The state of California will need at least $500 million to ensure all students across the state have Internet access and the technology required for at-home education during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said Wednesday.
- As of Wednesday at 2 p.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases in the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Tue., May 26):
- Alameda County: 3,049 cases (+63), 93 deaths
- Contra Costa County: 1,375 cases (+22), 37 deaths
- Marin County: 420 cases (+3), 14 deaths
- Monterey County: 429 cases (+16), 8 deaths
- Napa County: 109 cases, 3 deaths
- San Francisco County: 2,408 cases (+9), 40 deaths
- San Mateo County: 1,963 cases (+59), 82 deaths
- Santa Clara County: 2,688 cases (+13), 140 deaths (+1)
- Santa Cruz County: 205 cases (+5), 2 deaths
- Solano County: 498 cases (+43), 20 deaths
- Sonoma County: 524 cases (+9), 4 deaths
- Statewide: 98,980 cases (+2,247), 3,884 deaths (+70)