The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Friday afternoon include:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a revamped statewide process Friday for counties to reopen businesses and schools, for example, during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Counties will be placed in one of four tiers – Widespread, Substantial, Moderate and Minimal – based on their rate of the virus’ spread. Each tier corresponds with thresholds for a county’s rate of new cases per 100,000 residents and the rate of positive tests, Newsom said. The Widespread category, in which counties are placed when they have more than seven new cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate of more than 8 percent, will replace the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list to signify counties with the worst virality rates in the state. Although San Francisco remains on the state’s COVID-19 watch list, the city is moving forward with the reopening of some businesses like outdoor gyms and hair and nail salons, Mayor London Breed announced Friday. Starting Sept. 1, businesses like nail and hair salons, massage parlors and barbershops will be allowed to reopen in outdoor settings and providers and customers will be required to wear masks. Then on Sept. 9, gyms and fitness providers will be able to hold classes and training sessions in outdoor public spaces like park lawns, city plazas and basketball courts. Other businesses like tattoo parlors and aesthetic services will remain closed for the time being.
- As of Friday at 4 p.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases around the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Thurs., Aug. 27, unless otherwise noted)::
- Alameda County: 17,847 cases (+462), 247 deaths (+4) (Totals include Berkeley Health Department data)
- Contra Costa County: 13,562 cases (+164), 173 deaths
- Marin County: 6,053 cases (+54), 94 deaths (+1; one death was mislabeled as a Marin County resident in the state database) (Totals include San Quentin State Prison)
- Monterey County: 7,619 cases (+97), 55 deaths (+2)
- Napa County: 1,397 cases (+4), 13 deaths
- San Francisco County: 9,215 cases (+66), 83 deaths (+1)
- San Mateo County: 7,978 cases (+67), 131 deaths (+1)
- Santa Clara County: 16,814 cases (+207), 245 deaths (+5)
- Santa Cruz County: 1,735 cases (+14), 7 deaths
- Solano County: 5,388 cases (+60), 46 deaths
- Sonoma County: 5,469 cases (+47), 78 deaths (+3)
- Statewide: 688,858 cases (+5,329), 12,690 deaths (+140)