Latest COVID-19 Updates

Town Hall Summary

Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Saturday, June 27th. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.

Case and Testing Updates

As of the morning of June 27, there are 139 confirmed cases and 1 death in Berkeley, and 5,354 cases and 129 deaths in the rest of Alameda County. Thanks to recent testing expansion, we are now at 219 tests a day, getting closer to our goal of 245 tests a day. The positive test rate is 1.8%, which meets our goal at achieving less than 2%. Alameda County is at 3.7% positive. There has been a rise in cases throughout the state, notably in Southern California. With a rise in cases in the state and across the country, new relaxations of the Shelter in Place Order will be slowed down. The latest case and testing data can be found on the Berkeley COVID-19 dashboard.

People can make an appointment for testing at the state operated site on Oregon Street by going to this website or calling  1-888-634-1123. Additional testing resources and information can be found here.

Indicator Updates

Berkeley’s Health Officer as well as the six jurisdictions we have been partnering with created five indicators to measure the virus’ movements as well as the development of public health infrastructure. This is where we stand today: 

Indicator 1: Cases &  Hospitalizations Flat or Decreasing

Current status:

  • Number of cases of Berkeley residents identified is increasing. There were 22 new cases this week involving Berkeley residents, compared to 5 for the previous week. 

  • Number of hospitalized patients in Alameda County is increasing. 

Goals currently not met.

Indicator 2: Sufficient Hospital Capacity to meet community needs

Success criteria: No more than 50%of patients in staffable non-surge hospital beds in Alameda County are COVID-19 positive

Goal currently met. 

Indicator 3: Sufficient Testing Capacity

Success criteria: Sufficient COVID-19 viral detection tests are being conducted each day through private and public sites. The goal for Berkeley would be 245 tests per day. 

  • Last week saw an average of 219 tests per day of Berkeley residents, no matter where they were tested -- private hospitals, labs or our City site. This represents a 54 percent increase over the previous week’s total of 142 tests.  

Goal not met, but nearing goal. 

Indicator 4: Sufficient Disease Containment (case investigation, contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine)

Success criteria: 

  • 90%  of all cases are reached and contacts identified - currently at 91%

  • 90% of cases that we reach are isolated safely -- currently at 95% 

  • 90% of all contacts identified -- currently at 96%

  • 90%  of identified cases can safely quarantine -- currently at 97%

Disease containment is a critical tool in this phase of the pandemic and reflects significantly increased staffing for contact tracing that we have added since the start of this pandemic. 

Goals currently met

Indicator 5:  Sufficient Personal Protective Equipment

Success criteria:

  • At least 30-day supply of PPE for all health care providers - Goal Met

  • No hospitals, clinic, skilled nursing facility, other long term care facility, or first responder agency is struggle with obtaining PPE to submit a request for assistance - Goal Not Met

  • None have needed to submit a resource request for assistance in obtaining PPE to EOC in the last 14 days - Goal Not Met

Not met. (One of three subgoals currently met.)   

The status can signal progress or, if conditions worsen, could lead to tightening, as has happened in places around the world. The three main categories that have been used to allow increased activities in Berkeley and the rest of Alameda County have been cases, hospitalizations and hospital capacity. 

Other Updates

  • Enforcement of parking meters will begin on July 1. Meters are $0.50 an hour except North Shattuck, Downtown, and Southside/Telegraph, which is $1. Street sweeping waivers will end on July 1. Over 600 were waived. More parking details here.

  • Restaurants and businesses can now open for outdoor dining and retail. If you are a business owner in need of a permit, click here.

  • The Healthy Streets program is underway, for improvements continuing next week.

  • Curbside pickup at Berkeley Public Libraries will begin this Monday, June 29. 

  • The City Council will be voting on the budget this Tuesday. The City is facing a $40 million deficit as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

  • Undocumented residents can access the California Disaster Relief for Immigrants program. June 30th is the last day to apply. Alameda residents can access this program through Catholic Charities East Bay. Contact 415-324-1011 to apply or visit their website for more info.


Next Town Hall on Saturday July 13

Mayor Jesse Arregui_n's Virtual Town Halls.png

Join Mayor Jesse Arreguín, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, and Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez for a Virtual Town Hall where they will provide updates on the city’s response to COVID-19 and answer your questions.

What: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19

When: Saturday, July 13, 12pm

Watch live at jessearreguin.com

Ask your questions by July 13 at 9am at jessearreguin.com

Jesse Arreguin