State authorities will reimpose tighter coronavirus restrictions on two Bay Area counties, as the number of new COVID-19 cases surges locally and much of the nation appears in the midst of a fall wave of the deadly illness.
Contra Costa and Santa Cruz counties were among 11 statewide that are being moved backwards through California’s color-coded reopening program, officials announced Tuesday.
The two counties are each being demoted from the orange tier, indicating “moderate” spread of the virus, to the red tier for “substantial” spread — meaning several types of businesses that only recently reopened, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, will have to once again close their doors, while restaurants, churches and other establishments will have to put tighter limits on their indoor capacities.
The counties had each entered the orange tier two weeks ago; until recently, much of the state had been gradually progressing to less-restrictive tiers, not moving backwards.
But they are far from the only Bay Area counties showing worrying signs that coronavirus is spreading.
The number of new coronavirus cases has been on the rise throughout the region, where counties reported more new cases on Monday than they have on any day since mid-August. Santa Cruz County recorded its highest-ever number of new COVID-19 cases, at 148, a figure that represents three days of test results because the county does not update its figures through the weekend, while six more Bay Area counties each reported at least 100 cases.
California so far has not experienced as severe a surge of new cases as has been seen across the country, most acutely in the Midwest. Still, the seven-day average of the share of coronavirus tests that come back positive in California, considered a key metric for the virus’ spread, has risen to its highest point since the first week of September, 4.2%, up a full percentage point over the past week.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said the number of people hospitalized with coronavirus has risen by 31.6 percent over the past 14 days, and the number being treated in intensive care units is up 29.6 percent over the same time period.
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Staff writer Evan Webeck contributed reporting.
