Contra Costa County Set to Return to Red-Tier Safety Requirements as COVID-19 Spreads

Contra Costa County is set to restrict business and entertainment operations Friday due to the rising number of cases and hospitalizations as it moves into the Red Tier which is a 5-8% positivity rate for coronavirus test results.

In Contra Costa County, however, the number is 7.2 new COVID-19 cases per 100k. The positivity rate was just 2.6% and 4.4% health equity quartile positivity rate according to their Dashboard. Meanwhile, 50 people are in the hospital with a 7-day average of hospitalization at 43.

Will Harper, Community & Media Relations within Contra Costa Health Services, explained that the testing positive rate is not the issue, but rather the adjusted case rate which is at 7.2. He highlighted that Per state guidelines, If a county’s case rate and positivity rate fall into different tiers, the county remains in the stricter tier.

As of Thursday, the statewide metrics include 8.4 new Covid-19 positive cases per day per 100k with a 3.4% positivity rate.

Alameda County announced today that it has paused re-openings while it anticipates moving back into the “Red Tier” soon and anticipates even returning to the “Purple Tier”.

On November 10, Contra Costa County announced a return to the “red tier” in the Blueprint for a safer economy which places additional safety requirements in an attempt to slow the virus and saves lives—at that point in time, the County 7-day average was at 5.3%.

According to the county, most new COVID-19 cases in Contra Costa are spread within the home, with an infected member of a household passing the virus to people with whom they live. Face coverings in public reduce the risk of bringing COVID-19 into the home, where people usually do not mask or practice physical distancing.

The state’s action today adds these additional requirements, effective starting Friday, Nov. 13 in Contra Costa:

• Retail stores that operate indoors must scale back their maximum occupancy to 50% or 100 people, whichever is lower.
• Indoor shopping malls must reduce their occupancy and reduce the occupancy of food courts to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
• Office workspaces must operate remotely.
• Higher education institutions must keep indoor lectures and student gatherings to 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
• Gyms and fitness centers must scale back their indoor occupancies to 10%.
• Communal indoor pools must close.
• Indoor family entertainment centers, such as bowling alleys, must close their indoor operations. Amusement parks cannot operate.
• Most live outdoor theatrical, musical or artistic performances are prohibited.

The tier change does not affect the ability of schools to reopen for in-person instruction, following state and local health guidelines. Outdoor playgrounds may also remain open

Celebrate without gathering

The safest way to celebrate this holiday season is virtually or with members of your household. Gathering with people outside your household – even extended family – increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

There are many ways to enjoy the holidays with loved ones without gathering:

• Enjoy holiday traditions at home with your household
• Decorate your home and/or yard
• Share a virtual meal with family and friends
• Host online parties and/or contests
• Prepare meals using traditional recipes and deliver to family and neighbors
• Attend holiday movie nights at drive-in venues
• Visit holiday-themed outdoor art installations
• Participate in drive-by events where everyone stays in their vehicles

For more information, visit Contra Costa County Health Services.