Catch Up on the Latest COVID-19 News
Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Monday, October 19. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.
Case and Testing Updates
As of Monday, October 19, there have been 718 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berkeley and nine deaths. This is an increase of 21 since two weeks ago (comparatively, there were 47 cases during the previous two weeks, between 9/21 and 10/5). New daily cases continue to decline, with an average of just 1 case over the last seven days. Across Alameda County, hospitalization rates have declined to their lowest levels since April.
Testing continues to expand, with a seven day average of 854 tests per day (two weeks ago we had a seven day average of 733 tests per day). A total of 67,947 tests have been conducted on Berkeley residents, with 22,383 happening in the past four weeks. The positivity rate continues to decline, which is now at 1.22% (and 0.34% for tests conducted over the past four weeks).
Alameda County Moves to Orange Tier, Leading to a New Health Officer Order
Last Tuesday, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, California’s tiered system to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in each county, moved Alameda County into the orange tier. This is the third lowest of the four tiers, representing a moderate risk. This took place just three weeks after Alameda County moved from the purple tier to red, the shortest time it can take to move tiers.
In response, a new Health Officer Order has been established, which will allow the following activities:
All of Berkeley’s 66 playgrounds are now open as of October 16th.
Beginning on October 26, the following activities will be allowed:
Indoor dining up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less
Indoor worship services up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less
Indoor movie theaters up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less
Expansion of indoor retail and malls at up to 50% of capacity and permitting food courts
Other Updates
With flu season around the corner, we are urging residents to get a flu shot. Check with your insurance provider on your options. If you do not have insurance, you can make an appointment at the Ann Chandler Public Health Center by calling 510-981-5350.
Transitional kindergarten-5th grade classes are now allowed in person, but this does not mean all elementary schools are open for in-class instruction. For the latest updates from BUSD, click here. If your child goes to a private school, contact them for the latest info.
Much of the enforcement happening has been focused on large group events. There have been zero citations given on mask violations, as voluntary compliance has been effective. You can report violations at 510-981-2489 from 8:30am-5pm and 510-981-5900 after hours.
We are exploring state guidance to develop a path forward for live-streaming indoor entertainment events (plays, concerts, etc). At this time, it is not allowed, but hope to be able to provide an update soon. Singing does have a higher risk due to higher voice projections.
The eviction moratorium will remain in effect for the duration of the local State of Emergency. For more details and resources for tenants and landlords during the COVID-19 crisis, visit the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board.
With voting taking place right now, there are many ways to submit your ballot in the age of COVID-19. For details on where and how to vote, visit the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.