COVID-19 Update 7/2/21

county seal

A message from:
Board of Supervisors
Susan S. Muranishi, County Administrator

July 2, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

As we approach this Fourth of July, the State's June 15 reopening provides the opportunity to spend time together with our families, friends, and colleagues. We remain mindful of the toll that COVID-19 has taken on our residents and the disproportionate burden faced by some communities. As you prepare for celebrations or gatherings over the long weekend, please remember that the pandemic is not over-our actions impact our health and safety, and the well-being of our loved ones, our colleagues, and our communities.

Over the past couple of weeks, Alameda County has seen slight increases in COVID-19 cases, test positivity rates, and hospitalizations. These changes in trends may be due to Memorial Day gatherings, reduced masking, increases in travel and interaction beyond our formerly limited activities. Viral variants of concern are also in circulation and affecting case rates nationally and statewide. However, two things remain clear - face coverings have proven to reduce disease, and the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly slowed the spread of COVID-19.

Following the advice of Public Health officials, if you are not fully vaccinated, we urge you to please continue wearing masks whenever you are in indoor public settings or in outdoor crowded spaces. State regulators recently relaxed workplace masking rules for vaccinated persons, and Alameda County is developing policies and timelines for implementation. For the time being, all employees working indoors remain required to wear masks and maintain physical distance from others. We anticipate further guidance from County Human Resource Services in the coming weeks.

Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. Completing the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna) is critical to getting the full benefits of the vaccine. Vaccinations are safe, effective, free, and widely available. We encourage anyone 12 and older who has not been vaccinated, or missed their second dose, to call Alameda County's vaccine phone line (510-208-4VAX) to schedule an appointment. Individuals can also drop by any Alameda County-supported Vaccine Site or visit a local pharmacy or their health care provider.

Thank you for your daily efforts to provide services to our residents and respond to the needs of our diverse communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Be mindful of how our actions impact our own health and the wellbeing of others around us. Together we have made great progress against this deadly disease as we strive to keep our employees, residents, and diverse communities healthy. As we look forward with hope to a gradual reopening of the County, please be aware, be well and be safe.