Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Contra Costa County joined today in San Francisco, Berkeley and other U.S. communities with a county-wide health order that increases the safety of COVID-19 in restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where there is a high risk of virus spread.
The new order, which came into force on September 22, requires employers of these companies to show that they are completely vaccinated to enter the interior areas, or a negative result of the COVID-19 test of the last three days. .
Contra Costa has suffered a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this summer due to the growing prevalence of the highly infectious delta variant of the virus and unvaccinated residents.
While the peak of the rise appears to have passed, the data show that the county’s daily case rate remains as high as last February. There were 15 COVID-related deaths in Contra Costa from 25 to 31 August and 20 from 1 to 7 September, the two highest seven-day highs since March. Unvaccinated residents account for 95.9% of county deaths so far.
COVID-19 case rates are approximately five times higher in unvaccinated county residents compared to fully vaccinated residents, hospitalization rates are approximately 16 times higher, and mortality rates are approximately 22 times higher .
“This order is needed now to save lives, protect our overburdened health care system, and curb the pandemic enough to keep our schools open,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “Reducing community transmission of the virus is now key to preventing future rises in cases that overwhelm our county’s hospitals during the winter months.”
The new order applies to businesses where people remove facial covers for eating or drinking indoors, such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and to gyms and other indoor gym facilities, including yoga and dance studios, where clients breathe more because of exercise.
The order also includes a requirement for workers in the interior areas of these companies to show full vaccination testing for COVID-19 before November 1 or to take weekly COVID-19 testing.
To prove proof of vaccination, customers must show a photo ID and their vaccination registration cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or copies or images of their cards. Documentation from health care providers will also be accepted, as well as digital records of COVID-19 vaccines issued by the State of California.
Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov for a link to your digital vaccine, which can be downloaded to your smartphone.
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for more information on this health order or to find a safe, fast, and free COVID-19 vaccine in Contra Costa County.
# # #