The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Wednesday evening include:
- San Mateo County announced on Wednesday a partnership with local school districts to provide up to $2.879 million to help K-12 students get online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is geared toward students from rural communities or low-income households who may not have the stable internet access required for virtual learning. Support will come in the form of high-speed internet packages, wireless hotspots – including remote deployment units, which are wireless hotspots on wheels – and expanded public wi-fi.
- The San Mateo County Superior Court in September will move jury selection for trials scheduled for the Hall of Justice in Redwood City to the Event Center in San Mateo. The move will happen sometime after Sept. 7, according to a news release from the County Manager’s Office on Tuesday. The change is being made to provide a large, well-ventilated space for safe social distancing during the interview and selection process, officials said.
- Amid a ticking “eviction time bomb” in Santa Clara County, the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an extension on the eviction moratorium for both private and commercial tenants. The moratorium extends protections toward tenants who cannot pay their rent or mortgage because of job or wage loss related to COVID-19 beyond its current expiration on Aug. 31. However, the exact date for the new eviction ban will be decided at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 25 and may include additional protections for tenants and fines for landlords who do violate the moratorium.
- As of Wednesday at 6 p.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases in the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Tues., Aug. 11, unless otherwise noted)::
- Alameda County: 14,099 cases (+435), 212 deaths (+7) (Totals include Berkeley Health Department data)
- Contra Costa County: 10,103 cases (+316), 149 deaths (+3)
- Marin County: 5,471 cases (+87), 81 deaths (Totals include San Quentin State Prison)
- Monterey County: 5,628 cases (+134), 39 deaths (+2)
- Napa County: 1,142 cases (+13), 11 deaths
- San Francisco County: 7,834 cases (+142), 67 deaths
- San Mateo County: 6,535 cases (+104), 122 deaths
- Santa Clara County: 13,059 cases (+97), 207 deaths
- Santa Cruz County: 1,316 cases (+29), 6 deaths
- Solano County: 4,414 cases (+76), 41 deaths
- Sonoma County: 3,825 cases (+72), 51 deaths (+1)
- Statewide: 586,056 cases (+11,645), 10,648 deaths (+180)