The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Thursday afternoon include:
- San Francisco Human Services Agency Director Trent Rhorer said so far, the city has secured 2,151 hotel rooms across 14 hotels to protect homeless individuals against the coronavirus. A total of 874 homeless residents belonging to the vulnerable population have been placed as of Wednesday, Rhorer said.
- San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott on Wednesday warned anyone coming to Golden Gate Park on Monday for the marijuana-related holiday Four Twenty that they could be cited, as the event has been canceled along with several other large gatherings due to the coronavirus. More than 15,000 people usually flock to the annual event held on April 20 at the park’s Robin Williams Meadow, also known as Hippie Hill, as the day has become a counterculture holiday celebrating marijuana.
- Fremont officials issued an executive order on Thursday requiring people to use face coverings at certain essential places of business to protect workers and the public and to prevent the community spread of the new coronavirus.
- Santa Cruz County is reopening its beaches, parks, open spaces and the Santa Cruz Wharf to the public effective Thursday at midnight after they were closed in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic last week. The Department of County Parks, Open Spaces and Cultural Services said on their website that all social distancing guidelines must be maintained for those who visit the parks.
- As of Thursday at 2:30 p.m., officials have confirmed the following number of cases in the greater Bay Area region (“+” number added since last check Wed., Apr. 15):
- Alameda County: 1,009 cases (+45), 39 deaths (+3)
- Contra Costa County: 631 cases (+16), 16 deaths (+1)
- Marin County: 184 cases (+13), 10 deaths
- Monterey County: 108 cases (+8), 3 deaths
- Napa County: 39 cases (+1), 2 deaths
- San Francisco County: 1,019 cases (+6), 17 deaths
- San Mateo County: 767 cases (+20), 28 deaths (+7)
- Santa Clara County: 1,833 cases (+40), 69 deaths (+4)
- Santa Cruz County: 96 cases, 2 deaths
- Solano County: 141 cases (+1), 2 deaths
- Sonoma County: 163 cases (+3), 2 deaths
- Statewide: 26,182 cases (+1,758), 890 deaths (+69)