Town Hall Summary

Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Saturday, July 25th. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.

Case and Testing Updates

As of the morning of July 25, there have been 7,471 cases and 147 deaths in Alameda County (not including Berkeley), and 362 cases and 3 deaths in Berkeley. This is an increase of two deaths over the past week, but this is due to changes in how these cases are reported. The two latest deaths, both individuals above the age of 65 with underlying health conditions, took place in May and early July. The latest data can be found on the City’s COVID-19 dashboard.

There have been a total of 17,046 tests on Berkeley residents, with a positive rate of 2.2%. While this is much lower than the state goal of less than 8%, this number is rising. We have seen delays in testing turnaround due to high demand and not enough supplies (test kits and lab capacity) - an issue that is experienced nationwide. While it has been widely reported that outbreaks have happened at fraternities and student housing, this is just one part of the increased cases, with others coming from workplace exposure and community spread. The groups with the highest number of cases in Berkeley are individuals aged 50-70 and under 30.

Indicator Updates

For an interactive dashboard of the five indicators, click here.

Indicator 1: Cases & Hospitalizations Flat or Decreasing

Current status:

Number of cases identified in Berkeley is increasing. There were 107 new cases in the last 14 days.
Number of hospitalized patients in Alameda County is increasing, with an increase of 33 people over the last 14 days.

Goals not currently met

Indicator 2: Sufficient Hospital Capacity to meet community needs

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

Goal currently 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 is 245 tests per day, giving an effective lens into the workings of the virus in our community.

Over the last two weeks, we have seen an average of 275 tests per day of Berkeley residents, no matter where they were tested -- private hospitals, labs or our City site.

Goal currently met.

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

Success criteria:

90% of all cases are reached and contacts identified - currently at 75%
90% of cases that we reach are isolated safely -- currently at 72%
90% of all contacts identified -- currently at 87%
90% of identified cases can safely quarantine -- currently at 81%

Disease containment is a critical tool in this phase of the pandemic and reflects significantly increased staffing for contact tracing. This allows us to see how quickly we move to isolate or quarantine people -- essential tasks in limiting the spread.

Some of the shortfall is due to the fact that we continue to onboard staff sent by the California Department of Public Health and we continue to transition to a statewide platform for contact tracing. Those are good changes for the long-term, but, in the near-term, it has meant that inputting of data is not at the level we would like.

Goals currently not met

Indicator 5: Sufficient Personal Protective Equipment

Success criteria:

At least 30-day supply of PPE for all health care providers - Goal Met
No hospitals, clinic, skilled nursing facility, other long term care facility, or first responder agency is struggling to obtain PPE - Goal Not Met
None have needed to submit a resource request for assistance in obtaining PPE to EOC in the last 14 days - Goal Not Met

Overall Goal not currently met.

Our ability to meet these indicators can signal progress or, if conditions worsen, could lead to tightening, as we are seeing happen in neighboring counties and across the State.

Mask and Enforcement Updates

While most Berkeley residents are wearing face masks, we know there are people who are not complying. A team in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is responding to complaints, including 120 complaints on businesses not in compliance. Each of these complaints have been responded to. Businesses are required to post signage about use of face coverings and social distancing - keeping six feet apart. The City has put out 500 signs throughout city parks, with more being ordered in Spanish and English. Staff are handing out masks in parks to those who are not wearing them.

We have received more requests from residents asking to impose fines on those who are not compliant, as some cities are beginning to implement. A Council item will be going forward when Council resumes in September to authorize the use of imposing fines on those who do not comply. This would apply to businesses and individuals not in compliance. In the meantime, people can forward any concerns and report violations of the Shelter in Place Order by calling 311 from a landline or 510-981-CITY from a cell phone.

The Governor has recently ordered all people 3 years or older to wear a mask. In Berkeley, there is a 30 feet role for putting on a mask. The logic behind this is that once you get within 30 feet of someone, you will have enough time to put on a mask before you get within 6 feet of them. Additional information about masks can be found here.

Other Updates

UC Berkeley has announced that it will be fully remote for the beginning of the fall semester, backtracking previous plans to hold small classes with less than 25 people in person as cases rise.
We are currently on pause with relaxing our Shelter in Place Order. We are aligned with Alameda County's order, which is currently on the State's watchlist. This means that we cannot go forward for at least three weeks or when the State Health Officer allows it.
We have not seen an increase in cases within the homeless population. Decompressing shelters, access to hotels/motels and other accommodations, and education/outreach is working to protect our most vulnerable residents. We have 4 homeless outreach teams, in addition to our mental health team and non-profits to monitor homeless encampments and provide support and resources. Public Works is removing unwanted debris at encampments. The University is also working to address the increase in encampments at People's Park and following CDC guidelines. We are working with CalTrans to address the large encampment on their property along I-80, including adding dumpsters and carts that are regularly serviced. We are also looking at a sanctioned outdoor encampment, having procured 30 tent structures.

Next Town Hall on Saturday August 8

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, August 8, 12pm

Watch live at jessearreguin.com

Ask your questions by August 8 at 9am at jessearreguin.com