The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases being treated in Contra Costa County grew to 71 on Monday, health officials said.
The total increased by 10 overnight. All but six of the positive cases have come since March 6.
The county recorded its only death from COVID-19 last week, a person between 70 and 80 years old. That person also had a pre-existing health condition and had traveled to the United States recently from Europe.
The increase in the number of positively tested patients was expected, Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said last week. More labs are testing patients, he said, and more people are asking to be tested, factors which will explain a rise in numbers.
Farnitano said that the public should not read an increase in numbers as an inability by the county to stop or contain the pandemic.
The county’s coronavirus total still remains lower than Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco and Alameda counties.
