Case Surges, Berkeley Relief Fund, and More COVID-19 Updates
Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Monday, November 30. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.
Case and Testing Updates
As of Monday, November 30, there have been 1,158 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berkeley and nine deaths. The case rate is currently 17.7 new cases per day per 100,000 people. While the number of deaths remain unchanged since mid-October, COVID positive cases have been on the rise, with 316 cases since the last town hall on November 9. While numbers continue to surge across the country, a major reason for the spike in cases in Berkeley was due to an outbreak at Golden Gate Fields, which the media has reported as involving over 200 positive cases. The investigation at Golden Gate Fields is ongoing, and we are working with the State for a more in-depth investigation. Testing continues for people associated with the facilities there. More details on the investigation will be released in future weeks.You can read the latest numbers on our COVID-19 dashboard.
There have been 114,853 tests conducted on Berkeley residents since records began on March 2, with an overall positivity rate 1.12% and a four week positivity rate of 1.19%. Demand has surged in recent weeks, but supply is also expanding. There are two Berkeley sanctioned sites, Curative at the Berkeley Adult School and Optum at the Youth Services Center. The Curative site has a self-administered mouth swab and the Optum site has a nasal swab (the type of swab has recently changed to make it much more comfortable). The Optum site, which is operated by the State, recently doubled its capacity, with results typically received within 70 hours due to increased demand in state run labs. Curative typically returns results in 48 hours. For information on how to get tested, click here.
Berkeley Relief Fund - Donate Today
Despite one of the worst economic downtowns in modern history, many of our businesses have been able to adapt and creatively reopen through outdoor dining, retail modifications and reduced capacity. Sadly, not every business has been able to survive and many others live on the edge. While this pandemic surges and capacity shrinks again, our small businesses, arts and tenants need our continued help.
Donations from last spring to the Berkeley Relief Fund, combined with City funds, supported 700 small businesses, 63 arts organizations and kept 214 families in their homes. These grants were invaluable in saving businesses from closing and keeping people in their homes. Funds raised from the community totaled over $1.4M. The goal is to have the Berkeley community and beyond match the City contribution of $3M.
For this holiday season, can you make a donation to the Berkeley Relief Fund? Also consider shopping local during the holidays and support our small businesses.
Berkeley is special because of our special businesses, dynamic arts organizations and the diversity of our people. We need to come out of this pandemic as healthy as possible.
Other Updates
The City is supportive of BUSD's decisions relating to their response to COVID-19. This week they will host town halls about the reopening of middle and high schools. Details here. Students may be experiencing mental health issues due to a lack of social interaction. Resources are available for students who are experiencing difficulties. For more info, click here.
The City will be getting a specific vaccine allotment, with the State finalizing details. This will be distributed between the City and our healthcare partners. On the federal level, vaccines are currently going through the approval process.
An important reminder on social bubbles: Three households can gather in a stable social bubble for outdoor activities in short durations (not indoors). Face coverings are still required for social bubble interactions.
Our Commissions have been allowed to meet to set agendas for the upcoming year and get back to pace. Meetings may not be on a regular basis, but are beginning to return to their typical workloads.