Alameda County officials are reversing their plan to move the county to greater socialization and business activity amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, health officials said Monday, citing an increase in hospitalizations from the virus and a rising rate of cases.
Public health officials said that the number of coronavirus cases has risen in the last week to 71.1 per 100,000 people from 63.2. Hospitalizations have been rising daily since June 22. Before then hospitalizations were falling in number.
Alameda County has the most number of cases in the Bay Area.
Moving to the next phase would align the county more with the state’s pace for reopening, but the county must show that it’s safe to do so, public health officials said.
Concerning to the officials is not only the increase in cases but the disproportionate affect on people of color, the outbreak at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County and disease trends in counties that have reopened more quickly.