Contra Costa County Health Services confirmed that an outbreak of COVID-19 at an unnamed senior housing facility had been discovered and was being tracked.
At least 27 people have tested positive so far in connection with the outbreak. No deaths have been reported as of Friday morning.
A press conference was scheduled for later Friday afternoon and its unclear at this time just what information will be released.
On Thursday, the county said it has 24-new cases in the past 24-hours for a total of 276 cases. The county also reports they have had 4,083 total people tested and currently 31 people are in the hospital.
UPDATE:
During a press conference Friday, the County announced that on Tuesday, March 31 they became aware of a COVID-19 outbreak at a 47-bed senior facility in Orinda which ultimately resulted in 27 cases. The name of the facility is the Orinda Care Facility. They also reported 14-negative tests with a few more pending.
Health Officer Chris Farnitanohe also said he was making a strong recommendation for the public to cover their face with a mask or cloth mask.
The county also said it was investigating other possible outbreaks but were not releasing the names, cities at this time.
View the live stream of this afternoon’s press conference: https://t.co/jS4gC6Gxex
— Contra Costa Health (@CoCoHealth) April 3, 2020
Official Press Release
At least 27 people who live or work at a skilled nursing facility in Orinda have tested positive for COVID-19, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) confirmed today.
No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak as of Friday morning.
“Public Health has prepared for the possibility of outbreaks happening in skilled nursing facilities and other congregate care settings, and we have provided clear guidance for facilities in responding and controlling the spread of illness,” Contra Costa Public Health Director Dan Peddycord said. “We are working closely with the facilities now to protect residents and staff.”
CCHS began investigating this week after two staff members working at Orinda Care Center sought medical care. Positive test results for those workers as well as two patients at the facility returned positive late Wednesday.
CCHS tested all patients and staff Thursday. While results continue to return, 24 residents and three staff members have tested positive so far. Two residents who tested positive are receiving care at local hospitals.
Most of the infections at the facility were discovered through the Public Health investigation. Staff and residents who do not have serious symptoms are medically isolated but not hospitalized.
Orinda Care Center is a skilled nursing facility with 45 residents. The facility is following all health recommendations to prevent further spread of the virus.
Public Health is also now in the early stages of investigating and testing at two other senior care facilities in the county.
“The situation is very serious, and we are deeply concerned about residents of our senior care facilities in Contra Costa County,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County health officer. “That is why we need everyone to follow the stay-at-home order, social distancing guidance and other measures in recent health orders – to protect the people in our community who are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.”
CCHS did confirm two more coronavirus-related deaths of county residents on Friday unrelated to this outbreak. There have been five confirmed deaths in Contra Costa and more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County
Overall Totals As of 4/2/2020 at 1:00 p.m
- April 2 – 276 cases / 3 deaths
- April 1 – 250 cases / 3 deaths
- March 31 – 222 cases / 3 deaths
- March 30 – 187 cases / 3 deaths
- March 29 – 175 cases / 3 deaths
- March 28 – 168 cases / 2 deaths
- March 27 – 151 cases / 2 deaths
- March 26 – 147 cases /1 death
- March 25 – 108 cases / 1 death
- March 24 – 86 cases / 1 death
- March 23 – 71 cases / 1 death
- March 19 – 42 cases
- March 18 – 41 cases
- March 8 – 9 cases
- March 3 – First confirmed case in the county
Check back for updates.
