The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Tuesday afternoon include:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the state’s COVID-19 coronavirus positivity rate has trended down over the last week, a sign that the state pulling back its reopening plans may be working to prevent further spread of the virus. The state’s seven-day average of daily positive cases fell more than 20 percent from 9,859 cases July 27 to 7,764 Monday, Newsom said. The state’s seven-day test positivity rate has also fallen from around 8 percent a week ago to around 6.1 percent as of Sunday. Newsom cautioned that increased testing will drive the state’s positivity numbers up and state public health officials will need to see at least two to three more weeks of sustained decreases in positivity before allowing businesses like salons and indoor dining to reopen.
- Delays in the Senate over a new stimulus package will likely have detrimental effects in Santa Clara County, said county Supervisor Dave Cortese. The expiration on Aug. 1 of the $600 weekly supplemental unemployment benefits from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act leaves thousands of families unable to continue covering rent, likely increasing the homelessness surge in the county.
- Hundreds of families in East Palo Alto have been unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to get assistance, housing advocates said at a briefing Monday. An April survey by the city’s Rent Stabilization Board showed that of 224 tenants who responded, more than half had lost their jobs or had their work hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 29 percent could not pay their April rent in full. The city has a moratorium on evictions if tenants cannot pay rent due to COVID-19. The moratorium currently ends Sept. 30, and will automatically extend if Gov. Gavin Newsom extends the state’s order on evictions.
- As of Tuesday at 2 p.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases around the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Mon., Aug 3):
- Alameda County: 11,909 cases (+63), 192 deaths (+3)
- Totals include Berkeley Health Department data
- Contra Costa County: 8,176 cases (+143), 131 deaths (+3)
- Marin County: 5,141 cases (+140), 76 deaths (+4)
- Totals include San Quentin State Prison
- Monterey County: 4,966 cases (+42), 34 deaths (+4)
- Napa County: 980 cases (+17), 9 deaths
- San Francisco County: 6,989 cases (+73), 61 deaths
- San Mateo County: 5,744 cases (+61), 120 deaths (+1)
- Santa Clara County: 10,794 cases, 191 deaths
- Santa Cruz County: 1,196 cases (+45), 4 deaths
- Solano County: 3,721 cases (+110), 37 deaths
- Sonoma County: 3,113 cases, 39 deaths
- Statewide: 519,427 cases (+4,526), 9,501 deaths (+113)
- Alameda County: 11,909 cases (+63), 192 deaths (+3)