Indicators for Moving Forward and other Town Hall Highlights

May 26, 2020

Town Hall Summary

Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Saturday, May 23rd. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.

Case Updates

As of the morning of May 23, there are 85 cases and one death. 2,300 tests have been conducted, and are currently averaging 56 tests a day, an increase of 22% from last week. We are continuing to ramp up testing, with a goal of conducting 245 tests a day. The latest numbers can be found here .

Two of the cases are from the Elmwood Care Center, the largest of the six skilled nursing facilities in Berkeley. Anyone exposed to those individuals has been isolated. The Public Health Division is in frequent contact with all these facilities, and over the past few weeks has been conducting testing on all residents and workers at these sites. Currently, 40% has been tested, with the plan to continue testing each location monthly. More details on the City’s efforts to work with skilled nursing facilities to limit the spread of the virus can be found here .

Indicators for Moving Forward

There are five indicators that are being used to assess progress and provide goals to move forward into the next phases of reopening:

  • Indicator 1: Cases & Hospitalizations Flat or Decreasing

  • Currently, we are seeing an increase in cases and the number of hospitalizations is slightly rising. 

  • Status: Not Met

  • Indicator 2: Sufficient Hospital Capacity to meet community needs

  • Success criteria: No more than 50%of patients in staffable non-surge hospital beds are COVID-19 positive

  • Status: Met

  • Indicator 3: Sufficient Testing Capacity

  • Success criteria: Sufficient COVID-19 viral detection tests are being conducted each day through private and public sites. The goal for Berkeley would be 245 tests per day. 

  • Status: We have seen a 22% increase in testing over the past week. Progress is being made but not yet at the goal. 

  • Indicator 4: Sufficient Disease Containment (case investigation, contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine)

  • Success criteria: 

  • 90% of cases are reached & contacts identified - currently at 97%

  • 90% of cases that we reach are isolated safely -- currently at 95% 

  • 90% of all contacts identified -- currently at 97%

  • 90% of identified cases can safely quarantine -- currently at 90%

  • Status: Met

  • Indicator 5: Sufficient Personal Protective Equipment

  • Success criteria:

  • At least 30-day supply of PPE for all health care providers

  • No hospitals, clinic, skilled nursing facility, other long term care facility, or first responder agency is struggle with obtaining PPE to submit a request for assistance 

  • None have needed to submit a resource request for assistance in obtaining PPE to EOC in the last 14 days

  • Status: While the acute care hospital in City of Berkeley has certified that they have access to 30 supply of PPE, other health care providers are still making significant requests for PPE.

Revised Shelter in Place Order

On Monday, the Shelter in Place Order was updated to allow for retail curbside pickup and manufacturing, which went into effect on Tuesday, May 19. There is no end date for the Order. Also allowed is the reopening of tennis and pickleball courts, but only singles games are allowed, no doubles. You can find the text and FAQs of the latest Order here .

Other Updates

  • Over $1 million in private donations have been made to the Berkeley Relief Fund. A special program by the Berkeley Symphony took place on May 24th in support of the Fund. Donate here.

  • The Transportation Division is working with Walk Bike Berkeley in developing the Healthy Streets Program, which will close some streets to promote social distancing. 

  • The City is currently looking for a Berkeley hotel to house homeless individuals, while still utilizing regional hotels. 18 unhoused families are to be provided accommodations in trailers secured by the City. 

  • Information on Summer Youth Camps can be found on the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department’s page.


Next Town Hall this Saturday at Noon

Mayor Jesse Arregui_n's Virtual Town Halls.png

Join Mayor Jesse Arreguín, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, and Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez for a Virtual Town Hall where they will provide updates on the city’s response to COVID-19 and  answer your questions .

What: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19

When: Saturday, May 30, 12pm

Watch live at  jessearreguin.com

Ask your questions by 9am Saturday morning at  jessearreguin.com

Jesse Arreguin