NBC Bay Area will continue to provide updates on COVID-19, the coronavirus pandemic that has changed our daily lives. But before scrolling down, take a moment to sign up for our coronavirus newsletter here and bookmark the following pages:
- List of Bay Area coronavirus cases
- List of Bay Area events/services impacted
- Watch: Understanding Coronavirus
- Watch: Drone views of empty Bay Area
COMING UP: We have a few press conferences schedules throughout the day. Below is a list with details about where and when you can watch those.
10 a.m. – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department will host its daily coronavirus discussion on their Facebook page. You can watch it here.
12 p. m. – Gov. Gavin Newsom will provide an update on the state’s response to the pandemic. You can watch that on the video player above.
1 p.m. – San Francisco Mayor London Breed will provide an update on the city’s response to the pandemic. You can watch that on the video player above or here.
Now onto the latest updates.
Wednesday, May 6
More coronavirus testing sites are opening this week across the Bay Area, as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal to add 80 new testing sites throughout California.
The South Bay is getting two new sites; one at James Lick High School in East San Jose and another one at Christopher High School in Gilroy. Check it out.
Gov. Newsom announced Tuesday that the state will begin reopening this week, but some counties are not happy with the decision.
Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said that more work needs to be done before businesses can open up their doors.
Other businesses however are ready to jump back in, like these outdoor activities business owners in the North Bay.
Last week, an executive order was signed to allow virtual marriage ceremonies and yesterday, a Bay Area couple was one of the first to officiate their love in such way. Check out Janelle Wang’s report here.
Due to the pandemic, many families are unable to pay their bills right now. If that includes you, it’s more important than ever to watch your credit report – and you can do it for free.
Tuesday, May 5
Students have been out of school for several weeks now and they, as well as parents and school administrators, are feeling the strains of the shelter-at-home orders.
The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit analyzed distance learning guidelines for dozens of school districts across California and found education standards vary from district to district, creating a learning gap for some students. Click here for details about their investigation.
Today is Cinco de Mayo, and despite being in the middle of a pandemic, San Jose police say they will be out in full force to monitor large crowds gathering to celebrate.
Some Bay Area residents continue to gather in parks and beaches despite stay-at-home orders, and police continues to crackdown on social distancing violators.
In San Francisco, UCSF announced results from coronavirus testing done in the city’s Mission District. The results highlight how this and other marginalized communities are “more affected by health disparities, income inequality and discrimination.” Read more on that here.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced all essential workers in the county will now have access to free COVID-19 testing, whether they present symptoms or not. Here’s how that’s going to work out.
In Oakland, Mayor Libby Schaaf announced Operation HomeBase, a new initiative that will help unhoused East Oakland residents during the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look:
And if you want to help families struggling to get by as the coronavirus crisis continues, just make sure you do so safely. Here’s how.
Monday, May 4
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the second phase of the state’s reopening plan could start as soon as Friday, but businesses must follow certain guidelines and modifications. Get up to speed here.
Looking for something to do outside? Here’s a list of approved activities. Just remember to practice social distancing.
The real estate market is one of the businesses that will be able to slowly but surely open back to the public. But the scene will still look very different than what it normally is. Check it out.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and our own Garvin Thomas took the time to remind us that we need patience in a time of suffering:
More coronavirus testing sites are set to open across the Bay Area today as part of a statewide plan to expand testing. Click here to find out where these testing sites will be located.
The next phase of the coronavirus shelter at home order begins Monday in the Bay Area, with several businesses allowed to start up again under new rules to protect the health of workers and the general public. To learn about what you can and can’t do, check out this article.
In Vallejo, a total of 100 people – staff and residents – tested positive for coronavirus at the Windsor Vallejo Nurisng & Rehabilitation Center, said Jayleen Richards, Solano County Public Health Administrator. Read about it here.
Sunday, May 3
One community especially hard-hit by the coronavirus shutdown has been those suffering from dementia and the families struggling to care for them at home. Click here to read about what it’s been like for a few South Bay families.
Marin County Public Health officials have started a new web page presenting specifics about the novel coronavirus in that county, including numbers for infections, recoveries, hospitalizations and deaths. Click here to find out more.
From Southern California to the State Capitol, this week hundreds gathered across California to protest Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay at home order and demand the state economy reopen – but for many families who’ve lost loved ones to coronavirus, the protests are a slap in the face. To read what one Gilroy woman who lost her father to COVID-19 had to say, click here.
Tomorrow, California lawmakers are expected to go back to the Capitol and restart a legislative session interrupted by the pandemic. But there will definitely be some changes. Read more about it here.
A new coronavirus testing site will open in Marin County, specifically in the Canal neighborhood in San Rafael. Here’s more info.
If you and your partner were planning on getting married, but the pandemic delayed your plans, you should know that you can still get your marriage license virtually thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom. More info here.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo took to Twitter to invite people to join the San Jose Museum of Art and get creative while at home. Check it out:
Saturday, May 2
A week after Californians weary of stay-at-home orders packed beaches, authorities pleaded for weekend visitors to follow social distancing rules: no bunching, keep walking or swimming, and leave the umbrellas at home. Read more about the new rules here.
As Spring temperatures continue across the state, some Californians continue to protest stay-at-home orders. People have taken to the state Capitol and some beaches to demand to “Liberate California.” You can read more on that here.
The coronavirus continues to affect many aspects of life and work environments, including meat processing plants.
Since come processing plants have been closed due to the outbreak, a Costco location in the Bay Area is not limiting the amount of meat sold per customer.
ICYMI: A youth admitted two weeks ago into the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall in San Jose tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s more.
In a special two-hour remote meeting Friday night, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to remove Ken Turnage II from his seat on the city planning commission following his social media posting about “culling the herd” during the COVID-19 crisis. To read more about the council’s decision and Turnage’s response (and his original comments, if you haven’t seen them yet) click here.
Starting Monday, all travelers and employees at Mineta San Jose International Airport will have to use face coverings. Here’s what airport officials had to say.
Now on to #SomethingGood: This Napa County winery is helping laid off mothers during the pandemic. Check it out.
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed announced all residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities will have to be tested. She took to Twitter, too, to deliver the message:
Friday, May 1
Gov. Newsom says “we are now many days, not weeks away” from making significant changes to state’s stay-at-home order.
FDA allows emergency use of Foster City-based Gilead’s experimental drug Remdesivir for coronavirus. It’s the first drug shown to help fight COVID-19. Full details here.
Four days after Broadcom employees were told report to work against public health orders, the San Jose company closed its offices due to a worker’s possible infection. Full coverage here.
Sources confirm that one juvenile at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall has tested positive for the coronavirus. In addition, 27 staff members are now in precautionary quarantine.
The Bay Area has hit a grim milestone. The number of COVID-19 deaths in the region has surpassed 300. Track the latest cases and deaths here.
A group of Mountain View high school students are using their time in quarantine to help others – they’ve developed a program and website to find volunteers willing to deliver groceries to high-risk people like the elderly.
“It was very difficult to see our community and our neighbors suffering in ways we weren’t,” said one of the students. “It kind of felt like we, as the youth, have a certain social responsibility to go out and do these things.”
Check out the video below.
From our Investigative Unit: Much remains unknown about how the novel coronavirus impacts pregnant women and their babies. UCLA and UCSF, however, hope to shed light on the disease by orchestrating a nationwide study to monitor and track the conditions of at least 1,000 pregnant women who are either infected with COVID-19 or awaiting testing. Read the story.
Thursday, April 30
Gov. Newsom announced the hard closure of California state parks and beaches in Orange County (Southern California) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, an order that fell short of a statewide hard closure that was expected. Read more about this announcement here.
An employee at the Amazon fulfillment center in Tracy died from complications of COVID-19, according to reports from Sacramento media.
The city of Alameda is launching a pilot program today called “slow streets” that will reduce the amount of traffic on certain streets to create more space for pedestrians, bicyclists and people riding scooters to maintain a distance of six feet. Read the full story here.
In an unexpected act of kindness, a Santa Rosa landlord gave his $3,400 stimulus check to 13 of his tenants — and matched that amount out of his own money. Click here to see what one of those tenants had to say.
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