COVID-19 Updates - Keep Informed of Latest Developments
March 12, 2020
Illustration of a coronavirus. Credit: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, I wanted to provide you with the latest information. Our Public Health Division states that the current risk to the general public in Berkeley of getting COVID-19 is low. It is important that everyone take simple precautions to prevent the spread, like washing your hands frequently. I would recommend if you have not already, to bookmark the City’s page on coronavirus updates.
Before continuing, I want to take a moment to thank our Public Health Division, our Emergency Operations Center, and healthcare workers on the front lines, for their tireless efforts in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
What You Can Do
The most important thing you can do is to practice everyday healthy behaviors that prevent the spread of germs.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Don't touch your face with unwashed hands.
Use alcohol based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. Look for one with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
The CDC does not recommend the use of masks at this time. Masks are needed for people who are already sick, to keep them from spreading the disease to others, and for medical providers who are in direct, close contact with infected individuals.
These actions don't just protect you. They help keep our whole community safe, especially our most vulnerable residents, by slowing the spread of the disease.
Education
Various educational institutions in Berkeley have placed new protocols in response to COVID-19. For information on the latest updates, click on the links below:
For private schools, go to their websites or give them a call to find the latest information.
Mass Gatherings and Large Events
On Tuesday, March 10th, the Berkeley Public Health Division provided recommendations on mass gatherings. Our Health Officer, Dr. Lisa Fernandez, recommends that event organizers postpone or cancel non-essential mass gatherings and large community events where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another. She especially urges cancellation or postponement of mass gatherings intended for older adults and those with chronic health conditions.
Additionally, the California Public Health Department has recently updated its Gathering Guidance to recommend that large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled for at least the remainder of March. As a result of this, many conferences and events have been canceled in Berkeley over the next couple of months. If you are planning to attend an upcoming conference, check in with the organizers to see if it has been impacted.
Preparations at Alta Bates
Sutter Health’s Alta Bates campus in Berkeley has recently added a tent to its site as a preemptive precautionary measure to prepare for the event of an outbreak. According to Sutter, they are working closely with county, state and federal agencies, including local county health departments and the CDC, to address the evolving COVID-19 situation. Using tents is part of the hospital’s plan to deal with a surge of patients and use is approved by the state.
Resources for Small Businesses and Workers
Because of recommendations of social distancing as a tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many businesses have seen less customers. We want to make sure that our small businesses and workers are assisted during this difficult financial time. There are several programs from the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency for those who have been impacted by COVID-19. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has several loan programs impacted businesses can use.
Future Updates
The City Council will be having a special meeting on Tuesday, March 17 to discuss further actions to address COVID-19. You can see the agenda here once posted, and I will provide you further updates as they come in. As a reminder, visit the City’s page on coronavirus for additional information and updates.