Contra Costa to decide Monday on changes to county reopening timeline

County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano and his team at Health Services are monitoring increasing case positivity rates, hospitalizations, as well as fatalities across Contra Costa County. These increases in the community spread of COVID-19 follow an alarming trend that we are seeing in the other Bay Area counties, across California, and across our nation.

As a result, the Health Services Department this weekend will be considering revisions to the reopening timeline for certain services and activities that may present a higher risk for increased transmission of COVID-19. We have seen some of our highest case positivity numbers in the last few weeks, as well as high numbers of deaths.

With the great work that our community did at the outset of this pandemic to Shelter-in-Place and slow the spread, we kept our cases low. However, with further reopening and comfort in returning to daily activities that present high risk of transmission, we are seeing that this virus has not left our communities.

We must remain vigilant

While no one wants to see our progress towards reopening be reversed, in the interest of the health and safety of our friends, neighbors and family members, we must stay watchful and continue to slow the spread of this insidious virus. While not finalized, we can expect these revisions to be coming next week. I am sharing this information in the spirit of transparency and to ensure that the public is aware that these changes will be forthcoming.

I must thank you for all that you have sacrificed to help protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. I know that this is not the news that anyone wants to hear, but please know that we are following the science and data to protect our community. Though there have been countless hardships and our world has been irrevocably impacted, the Board of Supervisors and the Health Department have at every turn sought to preserve life and prevent the unmitigated human disaster should this virus have spread, unchecked in our community.

Expect another message Monday morning with updated information. I have asked for all data so I can share that with you to justify whatever decision is made.

Click here to read the full message from Contra Costa County Health Services.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us