California has placed Alameda County on the State Monitoring List due to an increase in coronavirus cases here.
Counties on the the list for three days become subject to state-imposed restrictions.
As of this weekend, Oakland has 3,001 cases of COVID-19. Alameda County has 7,725 cases and 148 deaths, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department.
“Factors driving increased case rates include increased interpersonal interactions without face coverings and physical distancing, and ongoing transmission among health care workers, within households, in frontline workplace settings, and in skilled nursing and other congregate living facilities,” according to a press release.
Health officials hope the state will allow the County to permit outdoor dining. County Supervisors may approve a letter to the state on July 14 requesting a variance for outdoor dining.
The County’s status on the State Monitoring List won’t have a major impact since the activities that would be banned are not currently permitted under the County Health Officer’s order. These include eating inside restaurants and wine tasting places, as well as movie theaters and other entertainment sites. Zoos and museums are also restricted, although Alameda County sought an exemption for the Oakland Zoo.
So what is the County doing to stop the spread of COVID-19? The County paused reopening of higher-risk activities and have focused on outreach campaigns encouraging face coverings and physical distancing.
Every Monday and Thursday, Rasheed Shabazz and Momo Chang produce the Oakland ‘Rona Roundup, COVID-19 related stories impacting the Town.
Rasheed Shabazz is a multimedia storyteller, urban planning historian, and youth development professional based in the Bay Area. He is co-director of Oakland Voices. He recently completed his Masters of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley.
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