mercurynews--2020-07-11--Coronavirus: Alameda County suspends outdoor dining

ALAMEDA COUNTY – Outdoor dining is off the table again in Alameda County , officials announced late Friday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ issued updated guidance , dated July 9th , prohibiting outdoor dining in non-variance counties , @ @ @ @ @ ” the county said in a news release .
The county ’ s health officer @ @ @ @ @ had amended the county COVID-19 shelter-in-place order to allow for the reopening of retail stores @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
Under the stricter state guidance , all restaurants , wineries and bars in @ @ @ @ @ be open for drive-through or pick-up and delivery , according to the county .
As @ @ @ @ @ had recorded 7,485 coronavirus cases , the most of any Bay Area county , according @ @ @ @ @ news organization .
The death toll stands at 147 .

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Outdoor dining is off the table again in Alameda County, officials announced late Friday.
“Today we learned the state issued updated guidance, dated July 9th, prohibiting outdoor dining in non-variance counties, which includes Alameda County,” the county said in a news release.
The county’s health officer, with state approval, had amended the county COVID-19 shelter-in-place order to allow for the reopening of retail stores and outdoor dining on June 19. Under the stricter state guidance, all restaurants, wineries and bars in the county may now only be open for drive-through or pick-up and delivery, according to the county.
“Our decision to permit outdoor dining was based on the Health Officer’s assessment that outdoor activities, with appropriate protective measures, carry less risk than indoor activities,” the county’s Office of Emergency Services said in a news release on Saturday morning.
Alameda County, the new release said, took the same approach other counties had taken of reopening outdoor dining alongside or shortly before applying for a variance from the state. “At that time the State did not differentiate dining guidance by indoor/outdoor as it now does,” the statement said.
Restaurant owners and city officials were quick to react to the news — but the official reactions varied.
In Livermore, home to a busy downtown restaurant scene and wineries reopening for outdoor tastings, there will be no crackdown this weekend.
“While the press release has new information, neither the County nor the State of California has issued new legal orders,” Livermore City Manager Marc Roberts said in a Facebook posting. “Therefore, the City of Livermore will not be adjusting enforcement this weekend. … Downtown businesses will be notified should the situation change.”
On Monday, he added, the city will reach out to both the county and state for further clarification, adding that a variance could resolve the issue. The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association hopes that’s the case.
“The Livermore Valley wineries that chose to open under the existing order have invested significant time and funds to ensure compliance and safety,” executive director Chris Chandler said. “We look forward to the county obtaining a variance, hopefully next week.”
Meanwhile, officials in Berkeley, which has its own health department, encouraged restaurants to shut down their outdoor operations. At Tacubaya on Fourth Street, which has been serving at alfresco tables and in a parklet, a manager said it was back to takeout and delivery only until further notice.
“It couldn’t be more confusing,” said Kristina Wulff, director of brand development for Sauced BBQ, whose flagship restaurant in Livermore has been hosting customers on their expansive patio since alfresco dining was allowed. Based on city advice, she said, “At this particular time, we are not closing down our patio. When we are required to do so by law, we will.”
A statement from the city of Oakland expressed empathy for bewildered business owners.
“This latest information from the County is confusing and contradicts the previous Alameda County Health Officer Order allowing outdoor dining, and we share your frustration,” the memo from the city noted, adding that “As the largest city in the county, with the greatest number of small and low-income business owners and largest communities of color, the impacts of this confusion fall heavily on Oakland.”
Oakland’s news release also suggested that while the city’s enforcement “wouldn’t change,” the state could shut down businesses.
Billy Agan, co-owner of the bar Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland, said there’s been no communication from the county about the rule — he only found out because he happened to see the county’s news release on Twitter.
“The county is doing it in a half-assed way where they don’t want to admit they did anything wrong,” Agan said.
He said it almost seemed like the county was encouraging businesses to stay open — something some places have already said they plan to do.
“It’s as if the county is winking at us saying, ‘The state said no and we said OK,’ ” he said. “I’m confused, honestly.”
Even if he were to open, he said most customers probably saw the news of the new order and won’t come. In the meantime, he has employees confused about what’s happening and perishable products sitting in his bar’s fridge that will go to waste if he doesn’t reopen soon.
In Hayward, officials decided to go ahead with a city-sponsored event today that would close key downtown thoroughfares to allow for street dining. A dozen restaurants and bakeries are scheduled to participate. The event will start officially at 2 p.m. and run until 10.
But their Facebook posting and the comments below it reflected the public confusion surrounding the issue. City officials referred to state “guidance” on outdoor dining, while residents posting comments wondered whether an official order was in effect.
The Alameda County situation follows one in Santa Clara County last weekend when outdoor dining was put in jeopardy after armed agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ordered several restaurants in Morgan Hill and Gilroy, in Santa Clara County, to shutter their outdoor dining. That move drew condemnation from Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County officials and business owners who said they were never told that they were in violation of state orders.
That enforcement action in the South Bay was on Friday, July 3, and was first reported by this news organization on Saturday, July 4. By Tuesday, the state had granted Santa Clara County a variance that allowed it to reopen outdoor dining, as well as gyms, nail salons and barbershops.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Alameda County will now seek a variance from the state to allow it to reopen, it said in its Saturday news release, and the county board of supervisors will vote on a letter of support for the variance on Tuesday. That comes after the county had delayed earlier plans to apply for a variance amid rising cases and hospitalizations.
“While the data have not become more favorable, applying for a variance is a procedural action that would provide us with the flexibility to ensure that we can continue to allow the activities that the Health Officer determines are lower risk for our community,” the county agency said.
Agan criticized the decision not to file for a variance when it told bars and restaurants they could reopen for outdoor seating, saying it exposed them to exactly this kind of uncertainty and sudden rule change.
“The county just didn’t do its job and saw other counties that did do their jobs (reopen) and said, ‘I want to do that, we want to be one of the open places,’ ” Agan said.
There are no plans to expand reopenings beyond outdoor seating at restaurants, bars and wineries if the variance is approved, the county release said.
“We plan to continue to make reopening decisions based on our COVID-19 indicators and data, science, and disease conditions in the County,” the agency said.
As of Friday, the county had recorded 7,485 coronavirus cases, the most of any Bay Area county, according to data compiled by this news organization. The death toll stands at 147.
Staff writer Annie Sciacca contributed reporting.


mercurynews--2020-07-11--Fremont schools to start school year with fully remote learning

FREMONT — Citing concerns about the inability for students and staff to be safe from the spread of COVID-19 at schools , Fremont ’ s school board decided in a split vote Friday to begin the upcoming school year using a wholly distance learning model .
The board said the large East Bay school district — serving about 35,000 students — will stick with virtual learning until Alameda County doesn ’ t see a single new COVID-19 case for seven straight days , at which point other models of learning , such as a hybrid mixing distance learning and on-site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exemptions to the distance model may be considered by the board in the coming weeks for special education students or other student groups who need different learning accommodations , but what the thresholds for those exemptions will be is unclear .
The decision came on the same day Oakland Unified School District announced it would also start the year with distance learning , a couple of days after two districts in San Jose chose a similar path , and as districts around the state are facing tough decisions on how to safely educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has rocked the country .
School board members Ann Crosbie , Michele Berke , and Dianne Jones voted in favor of the decision , while Board President Desrie Campbell and board member Larry Sweeney voted against the proposition during a special meeting .
Campbell and Sweeney both doubted the wisdom of tying the possibility of moving to a hybrid model to a specific data point in only one county , and expressed concern about the lack of options for families who are more heavily impacted by the ability to care for and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re talking about 2,000 teachers that are living all over the Bay Area .
And how do you define that ?
Is it going to be just no new cases in Alameda County and that ’ s all we ’ re going to be looking at ?
But yet , we ’ ve got hundreds of employees that are living in Santa Clara County , ” Campbell said .
“ I ’ m just very uncomfortable with that marker , ” she added .
“ I ’ m talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom with four kids and she doesn ’ t have the time to dedicate to each child , ” Sweeney said .
“ We need to offer something for those people as well , ” Sweeney added .
The school board considered plans for hybrid learning and distance learning put forth by a district reopening task force which was established in May and meets weekly .
The task force is made up of about 50 people representing students , staff and faculty unions , parents , and district administration .
Jones said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still felt each would expose students and teachers to too many people .
“ Immediately the contacts that we create become hundreds of people , and I am concerned that even under our best hybrid model , that is not safe right now , that is too many contacts , ” Jones said .
More than 700 people including parents and teachers submitted written comments to the board earlier this week about the divisive issue .
The preferences expressed in the comments cover a wide range of individual situations , learning styles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board to go with complete distance learning for safety , while others asked for a hybrid model so kids could engage better with their teachers and material , and some said the board should leave it up to families to choose whether their kids go to campuses .
Sulakshna Anand wrote that sending kids back to classrooms is “ a recipe for disastrous consequences , ” and places “ undue burden and stress on staff especially when there is the safe alternative of remote learning.
” “ I love teaching first grade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but returning to school without a vaccine is not safe , ” teacher Jennifer Lafferty wrote .
“ Consistently maintaining six feet of distance and ensuring mask compliance is completely unrealistic with children , ” she said .
“ There is no model that fits the needs of everybody ” , Jones said .
“ No matter how we start the year , there are going to be some families who face real hardships with what we choose , ” Jones added .
District staff also emphasized during the meeting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change and flexibility will be needed as laws , health orders , and the virus ’ s spread all shift .
The board also heard from custodial supervisors who said the district is working to acquire more “ electrostatic sprayers , ” which could speed up the time workers need to disinfect most surfaces in a classroom , but noted it would not be possible to clean each classroom between each class period at the secondary education levels .
Crosbie noted that it must be clear what kind of cleaning , deep cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offices to mitigate the risks to kids and staff .
District staff and the task force will work on developing a “ robust ” distance learning program that meets current state laws , which require daily interaction between teachers and students , and a certain amount of instructional time .
The board also voted to allow optional summer athletic conditioning at high schools to begin , pending a legal review by the district ’ s counsel .
Near the end of the meeting , which lasted nearly four hours , a terse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice families will have at the beginning of the school year underscored the frustration felt by many while navigating drastically altered life during the pandemic .
“ I think that is the greatest trauma that this global pandemic is putting on us .
There are no absolutes , there are no 100 percent great answers , ” Crosbie said at one point in the meeting .
“ This is not what we chose .
This is not what we wanted for our students , ” she said .
“ This is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s our reality .
I frequently have those moments of going , ‘ I can ’ t believe we ’ re living through this right now.
’ It ’ s just insanity , ” Crosbie said .
“ But it is our reality .
It ’ s not a science fiction novel , ” she said .
“ So we have to make decisions .
”

FREMONT — Citing safety concerns, the Fremont school board has decided the district’s 35,000 students should begin the school year away from classrooms and learning online from home as they had been doing since the coronavirus pandemic forced campuses across the state to close last spring.
In a split vote Friday evening, the board said Fremont Unified School District will stick with the virtual learning until Alameda County doesn’t see a single new COVID-19 case for seven straight days — a threshold that could put classrooms off-limits for a long time since the number of cases and hospitalizations have been rising in recent weeks.
Over the coming weeks, however, the board will consider allowing special education students and other students who need different learning accommodations to return sooner.
And when the county goes seven days without a new COVID-19 case, more students will be allowed back into the classrooms in limited fashion.
The decision came on the same day the Oakland Unified School District announced it would also start the year with distance learning, as did two districts in San Jose eadlier in the week.
Fremont school board members Ann Crosbie, Michele Berke and Dianne Jones voted in favor of the distance learning start, while board president Desrie Campbell and board member Larry Sweeney dissented during Friday’s special meeting.
Campbell and Sweeney questioned the wisdom of tying the return of classroom instruction to one county’s COVID-19 case count and expressed concern about the lack of options for families who are not easily able to care for and help educate their kids at home.
“We’re talking about 2,000 teachers that are living all over the Bay Area. And how do you define that? Is it going to be just no new cases in Alameda County and that’s all we’re going to be looking at? But yet, we’ve got hundreds of employees that are living in Santa Clara County,” Campbell said.
“I’m just very uncomfortable with that marker,” she added.
“I’m talking about the families that might have a single mom with four kids and she doesn’t have the time to dedicate to each child,” Sweeney said.
“We need to offer something for those people as well,” Sweeney added.
The school board considered plans for hybrid learning and distance learning put forth by a district reopening task force established in May. The task force is made up of about 50 people representing students, staff and faculty unions, parents, and district administration.
Jones said that after reviewing the theoretical plans, she still felt each would expose students and teachers to too many people.
“Immediately the contacts that we create become hundreds of people, and I am concerned that even under our best hybrid model, that is not safe right now, that is too many contacts,” Jones said.
More than 700 people including parents and teachers submitted written comments to the board earlier this week about the divisive issue.
Some urged the board to pick distance learning, others asked for a hybrid approach of distance learning and classroom instruction so students could better engage with their teachers and material, and some said the board should leave it up to families to choose whether their kids should go to class.
Sulakshna Anand wrote that sending kids back to classrooms is “a recipe for disastrous consequences,” and places “undue burden and stress on staff, especially when there is the safe alternative of remote learning.”
“I love teaching first grade and want to be back with my students, but returning to school without a vaccine is not safe,” teacher Jennifer Lafferty wrote. “Consistently maintaining six feet of distance and ensuring mask compliance is completely unrealistic with children.”
“There is no model that fits the needs of everybody,” Jones said. “No matter how we start the year, there are going to be some families who face real hardships with what we choose.”
District staff emphasized that any decisions made now could change and flexibility will be needed as laws, health orders and the virus’ spread all shift.
The board also heard from custodial supervisors who said the district is working to acquire more “electrostatic sprayers,” which could make disinfecting most surfaces in a classroom faster. But they also cautioned it would not be possible to clean each classroom between each period at the secondary education levels.
District staff and the task force will work on developing a “robust” distance learning program that meets current state laws, which require daily interaction between teachers and students and a certain amount of instructional time.
The board also voted to allow optional summer athletic conditioning at high schools to begin, pending a legal review by the district’s counsel.
Near the end of the meeting, which lasted nearly four hours, a terse exchange between board members over how much choice families will have at the beginning of the school year underscored the frustration felt by many during the pandemic.
“I think that is the greatest trauma that this global pandemic is putting on us. There are no absolutes, there are no 100 percent great answers,” Crosbie said.
“This is going to impact an entire generation, but that’s our reality. I frequently have those moments of going, ‘I can’t believe we’re living through this right now.’ It’s just insanity,” she added.
“But it is our reality. It’s not a science fiction novel,” she said. “So we have to make decisions.”


mercurynews--2020-07-12--Frustration grows with the Bay Area’s patchwork of quickly changing coronavirus rules

The Bay Area ’ s coronavirus response , once a model of regional coordination whose aggressiveness against the virus outpaced California ’ s , has devolved into a patchwork of competing and at times conflicting rules , leaving business owners and elected officials frustrated and confused nearly four months after the lockdown orders first went into effect .
Outdoor dining , for weeks allowed in all of the Bay Area , is now banned in Alameda County , while indoor dining can continue in San Mateo County .
In Contra Costa County , which has allowed hair salons since mid-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask at all times except when they have a fork or spoon in their mouths .
Santa Clara County , which last week had to temporarily stop outdoor dining , is now poised to open gyms and barbershops .
And in San Francisco , the zoo is reopening next week while the Oakland Zoo less than 30 miles away stays closed , teetering on bankruptcy .
For Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci , the inconsistency in rules county to county is a reflection of the unequal response nationwide , where some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been commonplace in California for weeks .
That poses a challenge for city officials in the Bay Area , where people regularly cross county lines to work , shop and visit friends and relatives .
“ It is frustrating and a concern , ” Dutra-Vernaci said .
“ With areas that have opened up more than Alameda County , as people come back into the county and into their own city , you don ’ t know if they ’ ve been exposed because other locations have a higher level of legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged Friday night when Alameda County , which had allowed outdoor dining since June 19 , announced state orders only allowed take-out and delivery services because the county had not received a variance from the state , which would give it more leeway in reopening .
Dutra-Vernaci said the announcement came via a late-night email from the county .
“ I can ’ t help feeling sometimes that our residents wonder what in the world we ’ re doing , and this is a good example when we don ’ t always have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For some businesses , the discrepancies between counties could have serious financial implications .
While the San Francisco Zoo prepares to open its doors to the public Wednesday , the Oakland Zoo is still closed after announcing early this month it might have to close forever if it can ’ t reopen soon .
“ The county had sent a letter already asking to classify us as an outdoor museum , and we ’ re hopeful and optimistic they will also apply for a variance soon as well , ” Erin Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the zoo , said in a text message .
Others were more critical of the county , including Billy Agan , co-owner of the bar Eli ’ s Mile High Club in Oakland .
He said the county seemed to be hinting that businesses should reopen in defiance of the state order , and he criticized Alameda County for not seeking a variance from the state before telling business owners it was safe to reopen .
“ There ’ s no real guideline at all in terms of enforcement or anything , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close , he says , that means money he spent on bringing back employees , paying back vendors and buying perishables would all go to waste .
Glenn Kaplan , the owner of Make Westing bar in Oakland , said the county should have known it was in violation of the state ’ s order long before .
He also criticized the city for encouraging bar owners as recently as Friday to serve alcohol on the sidewalk , saying many bars couldn ’ t do so without a permit the state wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oakland ’ s website says bars applying for that permit “ may experience delays.
” Kaplan , who has kept his bar closed during the entire lockdown , said his plan is to minimize costs and hang on at least through September , but his costs are still $ 20,000 to $ 40,000 a month .
“ It ’ s an absolute disaster , ” he said .
“ Bars and restaurants are ready to take pitchforks and charge the city.
” Even business owners in counties with more permissive rules say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem .
Erin Caltabiano , owner of MESH Salon in San Jose ’ s Willow Glen neighborhood , has been busy preparing to reopen for clients desperate to touch up their roots and cut their unruly quarantine manes .
For weeks , she ’ s been anxiously awaiting word from the county even as other hairdressers opened up in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties .
• As rate of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise , Contra Costa bans indoor worship services , tightens mask rules • Coronavirus deaths take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what can reopen in Santa Clara County starting Monday “ It ’ s very contradicting , it ’ s very unclear , ” Caltabiano said .
“ I can drive to Santa Cruz and all the salons are open — so why does it make a difference in terms of exposure ?
That ’ s been a frustration.
” In San Mateo County , the YMCA of Silicon Valley has had two gyms open since the beginning of July , which served as a trial run for its other eight locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketing director Joey Sanchez .
Those openings prompted an influx of calls from members asking why the other gyms remained closed .
But when Santa Clara County released its order reopening gyms earlier this week , it included a host of rules like banning cardio machines indoor that don ’ t apply just up the road in San Mateo County .
The YMCA will stagger reopening its South Bay gyms over the coming weeks as it works out which classes are safe to host in hot weather and how many facilities have shady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just the whole logistics of everything , and managing the number of people that are inbound , ” Sanchez said .
“ There ’ s a lot of footnotes that we have to put in all of our information — ‘ Santa Clara only , San Mateo only . '
”

The Bay Area’s coronavirus response, once a model of regional coordination whose aggressiveness against the virus outpaced California’s, has devolved into a patchwork of competing and at times conflicting rules, leaving business owners and elected officials frustrated and confused nearly four months after the lockdown orders first went into effect.
Outdoor dining, for weeks allowed in all of the Bay Area, is now banned in Alameda County, while indoor dining can continue in San Mateo County. In Contra Costa County, which has allowed hair salons since mid-June, outdoor diners will have to wear a mask at all times except when they have a fork or spoon in their mouths. Santa Clara County, which last week had to temporarily stop outdoor dining, is now poised to open gyms and barbershops. And in San Francisco, the zoo is reopening next week while the Oakland Zoo less than 30 miles away stays closed, teetering on bankruptcy.
For Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci, the inconsistency in rules county to county is a reflection of the unequal response nationwide, where some states have refused to issue mask ordinances that have been commonplace in California for weeks. That poses a challenge for city officials in the Bay Area, where people regularly cross county lines to work, shop and visit friends and relatives.
“It is frustrating and a concern,” Dutra-Vernaci said. “With areas that have opened up more than Alameda County, as people come back into the county and into their own city, you don’t know if they’ve been exposed because other locations have a higher level of legal contact.”
The latest sign of trouble emerged Friday night when Alameda County, which had allowed outdoor dining since June 19, announced state orders only allowed take-out and delivery services because the county had not received a variance from the state, which would give it more leeway in reopening. Dutra-Vernaci said the announcement came via a late-night email from the county.
“I can’t help feeling sometimes that our residents wonder what in the world we’re doing, and this is a good example when we don’t always have the information either,” Dutra-Vernaci said.
For some businesses, the discrepancies between counties could have serious financial implications. While the San Francisco Zoo prepares to open its doors to the public Wednesday, the Oakland Zoo is still closed after announcing early this month it might have to close forever if it can’t reopen soon.
“The county had sent a letter already asking to classify us as an outdoor museum, and we’re hopeful and optimistic they will also apply for a variance soon as well,” Erin Harrison, VP of marketing and communication at the zoo, said in a text message.
Others were more critical of the county, including Billy Agan, co-owner of the bar Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland. He said the county seemed to be hinting that businesses should reopen in defiance of the state order, and he criticized Alameda County for not seeking a variance from the state before telling business owners it was safe to reopen.
“There’s no real guideline at all in terms of enforcement or anything,” Agan said.
If he has to close, he says, that means money he spent on bringing back employees, paying back vendors and buying perishables would all go to waste.
Glenn Kaplan, the owner of Make Westing bar in Oakland, said the county should have known it was in violation of the state’s order long before. He also criticized the city for encouraging bar owners as recently as Friday to serve alcohol on the sidewalk, saying many bars couldn’t do so without a permit the state wasn’t issuing to counties without a variance. Oakland’s website says bars applying for that permit “may experience delays.”
Kaplan, who has kept his bar closed during the entire lockdown, said his plan is to minimize costs and hang on at least through September, but his costs are still $20,000 to $40,000 a month.
“It’s an absolute disaster,” he said. “Bars and restaurants are ready to take pitchforks and charge the city.”
Even business owners in counties with more permissive rules say the lack of regional consistency has been a problem. Erin Caltabiano, owner of MESH Salon in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, has been busy preparing to reopen for clients desperate to touch up their roots and cut their unruly quarantine manes.
For weeks, she’s been anxiously awaiting word from the county even as other hairdressers opened up in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “It’s very contradicting, it’s very unclear,” Caltabiano said. “I can drive to Santa Cruz and all the salons are open — so why does it make a difference in terms of exposure? That’s been a frustration.”
In San Mateo County, the YMCA of Silicon Valley has had two gyms open since the beginning of July, which served as a trial run for its other eight locations in Santa Clara County, according to marketing director Joey Sanchez. Those openings prompted an influx of calls from members asking why the other gyms remained closed.
But when Santa Clara County released its order reopening gyms earlier this week, it included a host of rules like banning cardio machines indoor that don’t apply just up the road in San Mateo County. The YMCA will stagger reopening its South Bay gyms over the coming weeks as it works out which classes are safe to host in hot weather and how many facilities have shady outdoor spots.
“It is difficult, just the whole logistics of everything, and managing the number of people that are inbound,” Sanchez said. “There’s a lot of footnotes that we have to put in all of our information — ‘Santa Clara only, San Mateo only.'”


mercurynews--2020-07-11--The Latest: Arkansas has record 1,061 new coronavirus cases

By The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
— Arkansas authorities have reported a state-record of 1,061 newly confirmed coronavirus cases for a single day but no new deaths related to the virus .
State health officials said Saturday that the total for COVID-19 cases now stood at 27,864 .
The state says the death toll remainw at 313 for the outbreak for which tracking began in early March .
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen since May , when the state began allowing businesses to reopen .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Johns Hopkins University has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration ’ s decision to make international students leave the U.S. if they intend to take classes entirely online starting this fall .
— The nation ’ s capital has declared beekeepers to be essential workers during the coronavirus outbreak .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ELSE IS HAPPENING : SANTA FE , N.M. — Work safety regulators in New Mexico have ordered Walmart to close a store in the city of Las Cruces after four employees tested positive for the coronavirus in the past three weeks .
The New Mexico Environment Department said Saturday that the order also requires Walmart to test the store ’ s workers for the cordonavirus and thoroughly disinfect the building , Walmart spokesman Pedro Mucciolo says in a statement is “ taking all measures necessary to safeguard the well-being of those inside our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has reported 687 more cases confirmed cases of the new coronavirus — the second greatest daily increase since tracking of the outbreak began in March .
Saturday ’ s daily count was second only to the record 858 new cases reported Tuesday .
The latest rises brings the total of confirmed cases to 19,779 since tracking began in March .
Oklahoma authorities say 15,136 patients have recovered .
Health officials also reported five new deaths related to COVID-19 , bringing the state ’ s death toll for the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Navajo Nation officials have reported 10 additional deaths from COVID-19 as the tribe ’ s sprawling reservation remains under the latest weekend lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
The tribe ’ s death toll rose to 396 as of Friday .
Tribal officials also reported 56 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases , increasing the reservation ’ s total to nearly 8,100 .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested .
Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ends at 5 a.m. Monday .
All businesses on the Navajo Nation are also required to close during the lockdown .
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking all its members in Utah to wear face coverings when in public .
The area leaders say the use of masks is a sign of good citizenship .
The Deseret News reports that the Utah Area Presidency sent out the request in an email Friday evening .
The area presidency operates under the authority of the Quorum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tally by Johns Hopkins University , nearly 900 confirmed virus cases were reported Friday in Utah .
Overall , Utah has had more than 28,000 confirmed cases and 207 deaths due to the virus as of Saturday .
AUSTIN , Texas — The new coronavirus continues to cut a swath through Texas , with state officials reporting a record 10,351 new confirmed cases for the day .
The increase reported Saturday brought the state ’ s total cases of COVID-19 to just over a quarter-million since the start of tracking in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hospitalized , while 99 new fatalities were reported Saturday .
The total is second only to the record 105 reported Thursday and brought the state ’ s overall death toll to 3,112 .
Harris County , which includes the bulk of Houston and many of its suburbs , had the most active cases , with almost 27,000 .
Dallas County , which includes Dallas and many of its suburbs , came in a distant second at almost 13,000 .
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is reporting another 13,497 confirmed coronavirus cases for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than a third of cases are in the new hot spot of Gauteng province , which includes Johannesburg and the capital , Pretoria .
Already public hospitals are expressing concerns about shortages of available beds and medical oxygen .
The percentage of tests that are positive is now over 25 % but the National Institute of Infectious Diseases says that could reflect both the rise in infections and more targeted testing .
The country ’ s health minister has said the “ storm ” that authorities have been warning citizens about has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reported an additional 69 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak .
So far , there ’ s been more than 2,150 confirmed deaths from the virus in Arizona .
The state added 3,038 confirmed cases in the last day , bringing the total to 119,930 .
Arizona also set a record with 3,485 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 as of Friday .
Hospital caseloads have surged since Arizona became one of the hot spots for the coronavirus after Gov .
Doug Ducey relaxed stay-home orders and other restrictions in May .
PARIS — The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died of injuries after he asked four passengers to wear face masks wants “ exemplary punishment.
” Four people are in custody for the assault of Philippe Monguillot on July 5 at a bus stop in Bayonne , southwest France .
The Bayonne prosecutor says Monguillot was assaulted after he asked four passengers on his bus to wear face masks , which are required aboard French public transportation because of the coronavirus .
He was insulted , pushed off the bus and violently beaten and kicked in the head , the prosecutor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interior minister to meet the driver ’ s widow after his death was announced Friday .
He had been hospitalized in critical condition .
Veronique Monguillot told minister Gerald Darmanin that she and her three daughters were “ destroyed ” by the death .
NEW DELHI — Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan says he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is hospitalized in Mumbai .
In a tweet on Saturday , the 77-year-old Bachchan said his family and staff have also undergone tests and are awaiting results .
His 44-year-old son and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night that he also has tested positive for the virus and is hospitalized .
He described their symptoms as mild .
The elder Bachchan has acted in more than 200 Indian films over the past five decades .
He is also a former politician and television host .
The state health department reported 96 new deaths Saturday , bringing the total for the week to 496 or an average of nearly 71 per day .
A record 120 deaths were reported Thursday .
Three weeks ago , Florida ’ s weekly average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state on Saturday confirmed 9,960 new coronavirus cases and 421 addition hospitalizations .
Since March 1 , when the first Florida infections were recorded , the state has reported 254,511 confirmed cases and 4,301 deaths .
The previous weekly record average of 60 deaths per day was set May 8 .
Throughout May and into June , the state reopened much of its economy with some restrictions .
Testing has increased , but the percentage of people testing positive has risen .
A month ago , fewer than 5 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average .
Over the past week , the daily average exceeded 19 % .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis has scheduled a news conference Saturday to discuss the outbreak .
ROME — Italy has confirmed another 188 coronavirus infections , a third in the hard-hit Lombardy region .
Public health officials say the outbreak remains under control in Italy , the onetime epicenter of the outbreak in Europe , but they are paying attention to clusters of domestic and international infections .
Italy halted all air traffic with Bangladesh and 13 other countries after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to charter flights of returning Bangladeshi immigrants .
On Saturday , eight of the 19 new infections in the Lazio region around Rome were linked to the Bangladeshi community cluster .
Another cluster has been identified in a TNT delivery company in Bologna , where 12 of the region ’ s 47 new infections are linked .
TNT has registered more than 40 total cases .
Another seven people with the coronavirus died in the past day , bringing Italy ’ s total confirmed deaths to 34,945 .
FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. — Tribes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing needs , restrictive laws and inadequate staffing as they try to meet a tight federal deadline on spending billions of dollars in virus relief funds .
Congress set aside $ 8 billion for tribes that must be spent by the end of the year and meet strict federal guidelines .
Otherwise , the tribes risk having to send it back .
Officials on the vast Navajo Nation have received $ 714 million in aid but approved just $ 60 million for health care , protective equipment and front-line workers against the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s legislative and executive branches have delayed putting more of the money to use .
Under the Treasury Department guidelines , the money can ’ t be spent on items already budgeted , back-filling lost revenue or per-capita payments .
Tribes nationwide are lobbying their congressional delegation to extend the spending deadline and allow for more flexibility .
NEW YORK — The number of New Yorkers hospitalized with the coronavirus has fallen to the lowest point in nearly four months .
However , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is concerned a resurgence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states .
Cuomo told WAMC radio on Friday the state ’ s quarantine rules for travelers returning from hard-hit areas are difficult to enforce .
He says the only question is how high New York ’ s rate will rise .
State officials reported 799 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Saturday , which is the lowest number since March 18 .
ATHENS , Greece — Greek authorities announced 41 new cases of coronavirus over the past 24 hours on Saturday , with 11 detected in incoming tourists .
There were no new confirmed deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands at 3,772 and 193 deaths .
RALEIGH , N.C. — A North Carolina state senator says he ’ s tested positive for COVID-19 , the first known public case for a General Assembly member .
Sen. Danny Britt , a Robeson County Republican , told The Associated Press he received the positive test on Friday .
Britt , an attorney and National Guard officer , was on the Senate floor on Wednesday as the chamber debated bills and cast votes .
The full legislature isn ’ t expected to return to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative complex in downtown Raleigh have initiated health and social distancing measures since April .
There is no mandate for wearing masks indoors in the two buildings .
That ’ s frustrated Democrats who serve in the Republican-controlled House and Senate .
Nationwide , at least 75 legislators in at least 28 states have tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the outbreak , according to an AP tally .
NEW DELHI — India ’ s coronavirus cases have passed 800,000 after the biggest spike of 27,114 cases in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states to impose a partial lockdown in high-risk areas .
The new confirmed cases took the national total to 820,916 .
The Health Ministry on Saturday reported another 519 deaths for a total of 22,123 .
A surge in infections went from 600,000 to more than 800,000 in nine days .
The ministry says the recovery rate was continuing to improve at more than 62 % .
Eight of India ’ s 28 states , including the worst-hit Maharashtra , Tamil Nadu and New Delhi , account for nearly 90 % of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uttar Pradesh , with nearly 230 million people , imposed a weekend lockdown .
Several others announced restrictions in districts reporting major spikes .

By The Associated Press
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada lawmakers have pumped the brakes on their emergency special session because someone in the legislative building has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Gov. Steve Sisolak has convened the session so lawmakers can balance the state budget amid a projected $1.2 billion shortfall stemming from the economic damage of the pandemic.
But on Friday staff members announced that someone in the building is infected with the virus, though the person shows no symptoms.
On Saturday, 13 Nevada lawmakers decided they would now participate remotely in the emergency session and both chambers agreed to recess until Monday morning. That will give time for legislators time to get tested and staff to answer a long list of questions that lawmakers have asked in hearings.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Florida sets 1-week record of nearly 500 coronavirus deaths
— Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has coronavirus
— Tribes struggle to meet deadline to spend virus relief aid
— Johns Hopkins University has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration’s decision to make international students leave the U.S. if they intend to take classes entirely online starting this fall.
— The nation’s capital has declared beekeepers to be essential workers during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Follow all of AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan has wrapped up an annual film festival with an awards ceremony as it stages more public events after keeping its coronavirus outbreak to a few hundred cases.
Actors and others lined up for photo shoots with no social distancing Saturday night, and participants didn’t wear face masks in historic Zhongshan Hall in the capital of the self-governing island off China’s east coast.
Government officials say there have been 451 confirmed coronavrius cases and seven deaths on the island, which has a population of about 23 million people.
Also on Saturday, a baseball game in the city of Taichung drew more than 10,000 fans for the first time this season. Health authorities have been gradually allowing larger crowds since the baseball season began in April with no fans.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas authorities have reported a state-record of 1,061 newly confirmed coronavirus cases for a single day but no new deaths related to the virus.
State health officials said Saturday that the total for COVID-19 cases now stood at 27,864. The state says the death toll remainw at 313 for the outbreak for which tracking began in early March.
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Arkansas’ virus cases have dramatically risen since May, when the state began allowing businesses to reopen.
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SANTA FE, N.M. — Work safety regulators in New Mexico have ordered Walmart to close a store in the city of Las Cruces after four employees tested positive for the coronavirus in the past three weeks.
The New Mexico Environment Department said Saturday that the order also requires Walmart to test the store’s workers for the cordonavirus and thoroughly disinfect the building,
Walmart spokesman Pedro Mucciolo says in a statement is “taking all measures necessary to safeguard the well-being of those inside our stores, fulfillment centers and distribution centers.″
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has reported 687 more cases confirmed cases of the new coronavirus — the second greatest daily increase since tracking of the outbreak began in March.
Saturday’s daily count was second only to the record 858 new cases reported Tuesday. The latest rises brings the total of confirmed cases to 19,779 since tracking began in March. Oklahoma authorities say 15,136 patients have recovered.
Health officials also reported five new deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll for the outbreak to 421.
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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation officials have reported 10 additional deaths from COVID-19 as the tribe’s sprawling reservation remains under the latest weekend lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The tribe’s death toll rose to 396 as of Friday.
Tribal officials also reported 56 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, increasing the reservation’s total to nearly 8,100. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested. Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The lockdown began Friday night and ends at 5 a.m. Monday. All businesses on the Navajo Nation are also required to close during the lockdown.
___
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking all its members in Utah to wear face coverings when in public.
The area leaders say the use of masks is a sign of good citizenship.
The Deseret News reports that the Utah Area Presidency sent out the request in an email Friday evening. The area presidency operates under the authority of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, nearly 900 confirmed virus cases were reported Friday in Utah. Overall, Utah has had more than 28,000 confirmed cases and 207 deaths due to the virus as of Saturday.
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AUSTIN, Texas — The new coronavirus continues to cut a swath through Texas, with state officials reporting a record 10,351 new confirmed cases for the day.
The increase reported Saturday brought the state’s total cases of COVID-19 to just over a quarter-million since the start of tracking in early March.
A record 10,083 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, while 99 new fatalities were reported Saturday. The total is second only to the record 105 reported Thursday and brought the state’s overall death toll to 3,112.
Harris County, which includes the bulk of Houston and many of its suburbs, had the most active cases, with almost 27,000. Dallas County, which includes Dallas and many of its suburbs, came in a distant second at almost 13,000.
___
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is reporting another 13,497 confirmed coronavirus cases for a total of 264,184 including 3,971 deaths. More than a third of cases are in the new hot spot of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria.
Already public hospitals are expressing concerns about shortages of available beds and medical oxygen. The percentage of tests that are positive is now over 25% but the National Institute of Infectious Diseases says that could reflect both the rise in infections and more targeted testing.
The country’s health minister has said the “storm” that authorities have been warning citizens about has arrived.
___
PHOENIX — Arizona health officials have reported an additional 69 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.
So far, there’s been more than 2,150 confirmed deaths from the virus in Arizona.
The state added 3,038 confirmed cases in the last day, bringing the total to 119,930. Arizona also set a record with 3,485 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 as of Friday.
Hospital caseloads have surged since Arizona became one of the hot spots for the coronavirus after Gov. Doug Ducey relaxed stay-home orders and other restrictions in May.
___
PARIS — The wife of a French bus driver who died of injuries after he asked four passengers to wear face masks wants “exemplary punishment.”
Four people are in custody for the assault of Philippe Monguillot on July 5 at a bus stop in Bayonne, southwest France.
The Bayonne prosecutor says Monguillot was assaulted after he asked four passengers on his bus to wear face masks, which are required aboard French public transportation because of the coronavirus. He was insulted, pushed off the bus and violently beaten and kicked in the head, the prosecutor said.
President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday dispatched the interior minister to meet the driver’s widow after his death was announced Friday. He had been hospitalized in critical condition.
Veronique Monguillot told minister Gerald Darmanin that she and her three daughters were “destroyed” by the death.
___
NEW DELHI — Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan says he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is hospitalized in Mumbai.
In a tweet on Saturday, the 77-year-old Bachchan said his family and staff have also undergone tests and are awaiting results.
His 44-year-old son and fellow actor, Abhishek Bachchan, tweeted Saturday night that he also has tested positive for the virus and is hospitalized. He described their symptoms as mild.
The elder Bachchan has acted in more than 200 Indian films over the past five decades. He is also a former politician and television host.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida set a one-week record of nearly 500 confirmed coronavirus deaths.
The state health department reported 96 new deaths Saturday, bringing the total for the week to 496 or an average of nearly 71 per day.
A record 120 deaths were reported Thursday. Three weeks ago, Florida’s weekly average for deaths stood at 30 per day.
The state on Saturday confirmed 9,960 new coronavirus cases and 421 addition hospitalizations. Since March 1, when the first Florida infections were recorded, the state has reported 254,511 confirmed cases and 4,301 deaths.
The previous weekly record average of 60 deaths per day was set May 8. Throughout May and into June, the state reopened much of its economy with some restrictions.
Testing has increased, but the percentage of people testing positive has risen. A month ago, fewer than 5% of tests came up positive on a daily average. Over the past week, the daily average exceeded 19%.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has scheduled a news conference Saturday to discuss the outbreak.
___
ROME — Italy has confirmed another 188 coronavirus infections, a third in the hard-hit Lombardy region.
Public health officials say the outbreak remains under control in Italy, the onetime epicenter of the outbreak in Europe, but they are paying attention to clusters of domestic and international infections.
Italy halted all air traffic with Bangladesh and 13 other countries after more than two dozen cases were linked to charter flights of returning Bangladeshi immigrants. On Saturday, eight of the 19 new infections in the Lazio region around Rome were linked to the Bangladeshi community cluster.
Another cluster has been identified in a TNT delivery company in Bologna, where 12 of the region’s 47 new infections are linked. TNT has registered more than 40 total cases.
Another seven people with the coronavirus died in the past day, bringing Italy’s total confirmed deaths to 34,945.
___
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Tribes across the United States are wrestling with competing needs, restrictive laws and inadequate staffing as they try to meet a tight federal deadline on spending billions of dollars in virus relief funds.
Congress set aside $8 billion for tribes that must be spent by the end of the year and meet strict federal guidelines. Otherwise, the tribes risk having to send it back.
Officials on the vast Navajo Nation have received $714 million in aid but approved just $60 million for health care, protective equipment and front-line workers against the virus.
Rifts between the tribal government’s legislative and executive branches have delayed putting more of the money to use.
Under the Treasury Department guidelines, the money can’t be spent on items already budgeted, back-filling lost revenue or per-capita payments. Tribes nationwide are lobbying their congressional delegation to extend the spending deadline and allow for more flexibility.
___
NEW YORK — The number of New Yorkers hospitalized with the coronavirus has fallen to the lowest point in nearly four months.
However, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is concerned a resurgence in cases is inevitable amid outbreaks in other states.
Cuomo told WAMC radio on Friday the state’s quarantine rules for travelers returning from hard-hit areas are difficult to enforce. He says the only question is how high New York’s rate will rise.
State officials reported 799 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Saturday, which is the lowest number since March 18.
___
ATHENS, Greece — Greek authorities announced 41 new cases of coronavirus over the past 24 hours on Saturday, with 11 detected in incoming tourists.
There were no new confirmed deaths.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 3,772 and 193 deaths.
___
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina state senator says he’s tested positive for COVID-19, the first known public case for a General Assembly member.
Sen. Danny Britt, a Robeson County Republican, told The Associated Press he received the positive test on Friday.
Britt, an attorney and National Guard officer, was on the Senate floor on Wednesday as the chamber debated bills and cast votes. The full legislature isn’t expected to return to work until September.
Building administrators at the legislative complex in downtown Raleigh have initiated health and social distancing measures since April. There is no mandate for wearing masks indoors in the two buildings. That’s frustrated Democrats who serve in the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Nationwide, at least 75 legislators in at least 28 states have tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the outbreak, according to an AP tally.
___
NEW DELHI — India’s coronavirus cases have passed 800,000 after the biggest spike of 27,114 cases in the past 24 hours, causing nearly a dozen states to impose a partial lockdown in high-risk areas.
The new confirmed cases took the national total to 820,916. The Health Ministry on Saturday reported another 519 deaths for a total of 22,123.
A surge in infections went from 600,000 to more than 800,000 in nine days. The ministry says the recovery rate was continuing to improve at more than 62%.
Eight of India’s 28 states, including the worst-hit Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and New Delhi, account for nearly 90% of all infections.
The most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, with nearly 230 million people, imposed a weekend lockdown. Several others announced restrictions in districts reporting major spikes.


mercurynews--2020-07-11--As rate of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise, Contra Costa bans indoor worship servi

As rate of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise, Contra Costa bans indoor worship services, tightens mask rules

As the rate of positive COVID-19 test results is on the rise in Contra Costa County , health officials are issuing new rules , including barring indoor worship services and requiring outdoor diners to wear masks at all times except when Effective 11:59 p.m. Sunday , indoor worship services will be temporarily banned , officials from Contra Costa Health Services announced Saturday afternoon .
Outdoor worship services or cultural ceremonies will continue to be allowed , along with social protests , with no limit on size , as long as people keep distance between them and wear face masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and customers have to wear face masks or coverings at all times “ except when putting food and drink in the mouth , ” the county ’ s announcement stated .
Indoor dining remains banned .
People who gather with extended family or friends have to also now where face masks when together , and those gatherings should be outside , the health order says .
The new restrictions come as 8.04 percent of COVID-19 tests administered over the past week returned positive — a sign , health officials say , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems .
When Contra Costa County received permission from the state to reopen some activities in June , the plan called to review the reopening of those categories if the positive testing rate hit 8 percent .
Other indicators are showing an increased spread of the virus .
The seven-day average number of recorded new cases rose from 38 on June 8 to 146 on July 8 , and the average of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose from 17 to 54 over the same time period .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county , slightly more than half are full on “ a given day , ” the county ’ s announcement said .
County health officials are worried that with increased COVID-19 hospitalizations , there could be not enough space and resources to tend to patients .

As the rate of positive COVID-19 test results is on the rise in Contra Costa County, health officials are issuing new rules, including barring indoor worship services and requiring outdoor diners to wear masks at all times except when
Effective 11:59 p.m. Sunday, indoor worship services will be temporarily banned, officials from Contra Costa Health Services announced Saturday afternoon.
Outdoor worship services or cultural ceremonies will continue to be allowed, along with social protests, with no limit on size, as long as people keep distance between them and wear face masks.
Outdoor dining is still allowed, but staff and customers have to wear face masks or coverings at all times “except when putting food and drink in the mouth,” the county’s announcement stated. Indoor dining remains banned.
People who gather with extended family or friends have to also now where face masks when together, and those gatherings should be outside, the health order says.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The new restrictions come as 8.04 percent of COVID-19 tests administered over the past week returned positive — a sign, health officials say, that the virus is spreading rapidly and could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems. When Contra Costa County received permission from the state to reopen some activities in June, the plan called to review the reopening of those categories if the positive testing rate hit 8 percent.
Other indicators are showing an increased spread of the virus. The seven-day average number of recorded new cases rose from 38 on June 8 to 146 on July 8, and the average of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose from 17 to 54 over the same time period.
Of the 209 beds in intensive care units around the county, slightly more than half are full on “a given day,” the county’s announcement said. County health officials are worried that with increased COVID-19 hospitalizations, there could be not enough space and resources to tend to patients.


mercurynews--2020-07-11--Defying U.S., China and Iran near trade and military partnership

Iran and China have quietly drafted a sweeping economic and security partnership that would clear the way for billions of dollars of Chinese investments in energy and other sectors , undercutting the Trump administration ’ s efforts to isolate the Iranian government because of its nuclear and military ambitions .
The partnership , detailed in an 18-page proposed agreement obtained by The New York Times , would vastly expand Chinese presence in banking , telecommunications , ports , railways and dozens of other projects .
In exchange , China would receive a regular — and , according to an Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discounted — supply of Iranian oil over the next 25 years .
The document also describes deepening military cooperation , potentially giving China a foothold in a region that has been a strategic preoccupation of the United States for decades .
It calls for joint training and exercises , joint research and weapons development and intelligence sharing — all to fight “ the lopsided battle with terrorism , drug and human trafficking and cross-border crimes.
” The partnership — first proposed by China ’ s leader , Xi Jinping , during a visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Hassan Rouhani ’ s Cabinet in June , Iran ’ s foreign minister , Mohammad Javad Zarif , said last week .
Iranian officials have publicly stated that there is a pending agreement with China , and one Iranian official , as well as several people who have discussed it with the Iranian government , confirmed that it is the document obtained by The Times , which is labeled “ final version ” and dated June 2020 .
It has not yet been submitted to Iran ’ s parliament for approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran about how much the government is preparing to give away to China .
In Beijing , officials have not disclosed the terms of the agreement , and it is not clear whether Xi ’ s government has signed off or , if it has , when it might announce it .
If put into effect as detailed , the partnership would create new and potentially dangerous flashpoints in the deteriorating relationship between China and the U.S .
It represents a major blow to the Trump administration ’ s aggressive policy toward Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 by President Barack Obama and the leaders of six other nations after two years of grueling negotiations .
Renewed U.S. sanctions , including the threat to cut off access to the international banking system for any company that does business in Iran , have succeeded in suffocating the Iranian economy by scaring away badly needed foreign trade and investment .
But Tehran ’ s desperation has pushed it into the arms of China , which has the technology and appetite for oil that Iran needs .
Iran has been one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but its exports , Tehran ’ s largest source of revenue , have plunged since the Trump administration began imposing sanctions in 2018 ; China gets about 75 % of its oil from abroad and is the world ’ s largest importer , at more than 10 million barrels a day last year .
At a time when the U.S. is reeling from recession and the coronavirus , and increasingly isolated internationally , Beijing senses American weakness .
The draft agreement with Iran shows that unlike most countries , China feels it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , powerful enough to withstand American penalties , as it has in the trade war waged by President Donald Trump .
“ Two ancient Asian cultures , two partners in the sectors of trade , economy , politics , culture and security with a similar outlook and many mutual bilateral and multilateral interests will consider one another strategic partners , ” the document says in its opening sentence .
The Chinese investments in Iran , which two people who have been briefed on the deal said would total $ 400 billion over 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions against Chinese companies , which have already been targeted by the administration in recent months .
“ The United States will continue to impose costs on Chinese companies that aid Iran , the world ’ s largest state sponsor of terrorism , ” a State Department spokeswoman wrote in response to questions about the draft agreement .
“ By allowing or encouraging Chinese companies to conduct sanctionable activities with the Iranian regime , the Chinese government is undermining its own stated goal of promoting stability and peace.
” The expansion of military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be viewed with alarm in Washington .
U.S. warships already tangle regularly with Iranian forces in the crowded waters of the Persian Gulf and challenge China ’ s internationally disputed claim to much of the South China Sea , and the Pentagon ’ s national security strategy has declared China an adversary .
When reports of a long-term investment agreement with Iran surfaced last September , China ’ s foreign ministry dismissed the question out of hand .
Asked about it again last week , a spokesman , Zhao Lijian , left open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the works .
“ China and Iran enjoy traditional friendship , and the two sides have been in communication on the development of bilateral relations , ” he said .
“ We stand ready to work with Iran to steadily advance practical cooperation.
” The projects — nearly 100 are cited in the draft agreement — are very much in keeping with Xi ’ s ambitions to extend its economic and strategic influence across Eurasia through the “ Belt and Road Initiative , ” a vast aid and investment program .
The projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subways , would touch the lives of millions of Iranians .
China would develop free-trade zones in Maku , in northwestern Iran ; in Abadan , where the Shatt al-Arab river flows into the Persian Gulf , and on the Gulf island Qeshm .
The agreement also includes proposals for China to build the infrastructure for a 5G telecommunications network , to offer the new Chinese Global Positioning System , Beidou , and to help Iranian authorities assert greater control over what circulates in cyberspace , presumably as China ’ s Great Firewall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major Chinese telecommunications company , Huawei , includes a criminal case against its chief financial officer , Meng Wanzhou , for seeking to disguise investments in Iran in order to evade U.S. sanctions .
The Trump administration has barred Huawei from involvement in 5G development in the U.S. and has tried , without great success , to persuade other countries to do the same .
Moving ahead with a broad investment program in Iran appears to signal Beijing ’ s growing impatience with the Trump administration after its abandonment of the nuclear agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration to preserve the deal , which it was a party to , and has sharply denounced the U.S. use of unilateral sanctions .
Iran has traditionally looked west toward Europe for trade and investment partners .
Increasingly though , it has grown frustrated with European countries that have opposed Trump ’ s policy but have quietly withdrawn from the kinds of deals that the nuclear agreement once promised .
“ Iran and China both view this deal as a strategic partnership in not just expanding their own interests but confronting the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian energy researcher at the University of Science and Technology of China in Beijing .
“ It is the first of its kind for Iran keen on having a world power as an ally.
” The proposed partnership has nonetheless stoked a fierce debate within Iran .
Zarif , the foreign minister , who traveled to Beijing last October to negotiate the agreement , faced hostile questioning about it in parliament last week .
The document was provided to The Times by someone familiar with its drafting with the intention of showing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zarif said the agreement would be submitted to parliament for final approval .
It has the support of Iran ’ s supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , two Iranian officials said .
Khamenei ’ s top economic adviser , Ali Agha Mohammadi , appeared on state television recently to discuss the need for an economic lifeline .
He said Iran needs to increase its oil production to at least 8.5 million barrels a day in order to remain a player in the energy market , and for that , it needs China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that given the country ’ s limited economic options , the free-falling currency and the dim prospect of U.S. sanctions being lifted , the deal with China could provide a lifeline .
“ Every road is closed to Iran , ” said Fereydoun Majlesi , a former diplomat and a columnist for several Iranian newspapers on diplomacy .
“ The only path open is China .
Whatever it is , until sanctions are lifted , this deal is the best option.
” But critics across the political spectrum in Iran have raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling off ” the country to China in a moment of economic weakness and international isolation .
In a speech in late June , a former president , Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , called it a suspicious secret deal that the people of Iran would never approve .
The critics have cited previous Chinese investment projects that have left countries in Africa and Asia indebted and ultimately beholden to the authorities in Beijing .
A particular concern has been the proposed port facilities in Iran , including two along the coast of the Sea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of the Strait of Hormuz , the entrance to the Persian Gulf , would give the Chinese a strategic vantage point on the waters through which much of the world ’ s oil transits .
The passage is of critical strategic importance to the U.S. , whose Navy ’ s 5th Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain , in the Gulf .
China has already constructed a series of ports along the Indian Ocean , creating a necklace of refueling and resupply stations from the South China Sea to the Suez Canal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially have military value , too , allowing China ’ s rapidly growing Navy to expand its reach .
Those include ports at Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Gwadar in Pakistan , which are widely criticized as footholds for a potential military presence , although no Chinese forces have officially been deployed at them .
China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti in 2015 , ostensibly to support its forces participating in international anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia .
The outpost , which began as a logistics base but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within miles of the U.S. base in that country .
China has also stepped up military cooperation with Iran .
The People ’ s Liberation Army Navy has visited and participated in military exercises at least three times , beginning in 2014 .
The most recent was December 2019 , when a Chinese missile destroyer , the Xining , joined a naval exercise with the Russian and Iranian navies in the Gulf of Oman .
China ’ s state-owned Xinhua News Agency quoted the commander of Iran ’ s Navy , Rear Adm. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed “ the era of American invasions in the region is over .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

Iran and China have quietly drafted a sweeping economic and security partnership that would clear the way for billions of dollars of Chinese investments in energy and other sectors, undercutting the Trump administration’s efforts to isolate the Iranian government because of its nuclear and military ambitions.
The partnership, detailed in an 18-page proposed agreement obtained by The New York Times, would vastly expand Chinese presence in banking, telecommunications, ports, railways and dozens of other projects. In exchange, China would receive a regular — and, according to an Iranian official and an oil trader, heavily discounted — supply of Iranian oil over the next 25 years.
The document also describes deepening military cooperation, potentially giving China a foothold in a region that has been a strategic preoccupation of the United States for decades. It calls for joint training and exercises, joint research and weapons development and intelligence sharing — all to fight “the lopsided battle with terrorism, drug and human trafficking and cross-border crimes.”
The partnership — first proposed by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, during a visit to Iran in 2016 — was approved by President Hassan Rouhani’s Cabinet in June, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said last week.
Iranian officials have publicly stated that there is a pending agreement with China, and one Iranian official, as well as several people who have discussed it with the Iranian government, confirmed that it is the document obtained by The Times, which is labeled “final version” and dated June 2020.
It has not yet been submitted to Iran’s parliament for approval or made public, stoking suspicions in Iran about how much the government is preparing to give away to China.
In Beijing, officials have not disclosed the terms of the agreement, and it is not clear whether Xi’s government has signed off or, if it has, when it might announce it.
If put into effect as detailed, the partnership would create new and potentially dangerous flashpoints in the deteriorating relationship between China and the U.S.
It represents a major blow to the Trump administration’s aggressive policy toward Iran since abandoning the nuclear deal reached in 2015 by President Barack Obama and the leaders of six other nations after two years of grueling negotiations.
Renewed U.S. sanctions, including the threat to cut off access to the international banking system for any company that does business in Iran, have succeeded in suffocating the Iranian economy by scaring away badly needed foreign trade and investment.
But Tehran’s desperation has pushed it into the arms of China, which has the technology and appetite for oil that Iran needs. Iran has been one of the world’s largest oil producers, but its exports, Tehran’s largest source of revenue, have plunged since the Trump administration began imposing sanctions in 2018; China gets about 75% of its oil from abroad and is the world’s largest importer, at more than 10 million barrels a day last year.
At a time when the U.S. is reeling from recession and the coronavirus, and increasingly isolated internationally, Beijing senses American weakness. The draft agreement with Iran shows that unlike most countries, China feels it is in a position to defy the U.S., powerful enough to withstand American penalties, as it has in the trade war waged by President Donald Trump.
“Two ancient Asian cultures, two partners in the sectors of trade, economy, politics, culture and security with a similar outlook and many mutual bilateral and multilateral interests will consider one another strategic partners,” the document says in its opening sentence.
The Chinese investments in Iran, which two people who have been briefed on the deal said would total $400 billion over 25 years, could trigger still more punitive actions against Chinese companies, which have already been targeted by the administration in recent months.
“The United States will continue to impose costs on Chinese companies that aid Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism,” a State Department spokeswoman wrote in response to questions about the draft agreement.
“By allowing or encouraging Chinese companies to conduct sanctionable activities with the Iranian regime, the Chinese government is undermining its own stated goal of promoting stability and peace.”
The expansion of military assistance, training and intelligence-sharing will also be viewed with alarm in Washington. U.S. warships already tangle regularly with Iranian forces in the crowded waters of the Persian Gulf and challenge China’s internationally disputed claim to much of the South China Sea, and the Pentagon’s national security strategy has declared China an adversary. When reports of a long-term investment agreement with Iran surfaced last September, China’s foreign ministry dismissed the question out of hand. Asked about it again last week, a spokesman, Zhao Lijian, left open the possibility that a deal was in the works.
“China and Iran enjoy traditional friendship, and the two sides have been in communication on the development of bilateral relations,” he said. “We stand ready to work with Iran to steadily advance practical cooperation.”
The projects — nearly 100 are cited in the draft agreement — are very much in keeping with Xi’s ambitions to extend its economic and strategic influence across Eurasia through the “Belt and Road Initiative,” a vast aid and investment program.
The projects, including airports, high-speed railways and subways, would touch the lives of millions of Iranians. China would develop free-trade zones in Maku, in northwestern Iran; in Abadan, where the Shatt al-Arab river flows into the Persian Gulf, and on the Gulf island Qeshm.
The agreement also includes proposals for China to build the infrastructure for a 5G telecommunications network, to offer the new Chinese Global Positioning System, Beidou, and to help Iranian authorities assert greater control over what circulates in cyberspace, presumably as China’s Great Firewall does.
The U.S. campaign against a major Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei, includes a criminal case against its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, for seeking to disguise investments in Iran in order to evade U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration has barred Huawei from involvement in 5G development in the U.S. and has tried, without great success, to persuade other countries to do the same.
Moving ahead with a broad investment program in Iran appears to signal Beijing’s growing impatience with the Trump administration after its abandonment of the nuclear agreement. China has repeatedly called on the administration to preserve the deal, which it was a party to, and has sharply denounced the U.S. use of unilateral sanctions.
Iran has traditionally looked west toward Europe for trade and investment partners. Increasingly though, it has grown frustrated with European countries that have opposed Trump’s policy but have quietly withdrawn from the kinds of deals that the nuclear agreement once promised.
“Iran and China both view this deal as a strategic partnership in not just expanding their own interests but confronting the U.S.,” said Ali Gholizadeh, an Iranian energy researcher at the University of Science and Technology of China in Beijing. “It is the first of its kind for Iran keen on having a world power as an ally.”
The proposed partnership has nonetheless stoked a fierce debate within Iran. Zarif, the foreign minister, who traveled to Beijing last October to negotiate the agreement, faced hostile questioning about it in parliament last week.
The document was provided to The Times by someone familiar with its drafting with the intention of showing the scope of the projects under consideration.
Zarif said the agreement would be submitted to parliament for final approval. It has the support of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two Iranian officials said. Khamenei’s top economic adviser, Ali Agha Mohammadi, appeared on state television recently to discuss the need for an economic lifeline. He said Iran needs to increase its oil production to at least 8.5 million barrels a day in order to remain a player in the energy market, and for that, it needs China.
Iranian supporters of the strategic partnership say that given the country’s limited economic options, the free-falling currency and the dim prospect of U.S. sanctions being lifted, the deal with China could provide a lifeline.
“Every road is closed to Iran,” said Fereydoun Majlesi, a former diplomat and a columnist for several Iranian newspapers on diplomacy. “The only path open is China. Whatever it is, until sanctions are lifted, this deal is the best option.”
But critics across the political spectrum in Iran have raised concerns that the government is secretly “selling off” the country to China in a moment of economic weakness and international isolation. In a speech in late June, a former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called it a suspicious secret deal that the people of Iran would never approve.
The critics have cited previous Chinese investment projects that have left countries in Africa and Asia indebted and ultimately beholden to the authorities in Beijing. A particular concern has been the proposed port facilities in Iran, including two along the coast of the Sea of Oman.
One at Jask, just outside of the Strait of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf, would give the Chinese a strategic vantage point on the waters through which much of the world’s oil transits. The passage is of critical strategic importance to the U.S., whose Navy’s 5th Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain, in the Gulf. China has already constructed a series of ports along the Indian Ocean, creating a necklace of refueling and resupply stations from the South China Sea to the Suez Canal. Ostensibly commercial in nature, the ports potentially have military value, too, allowing China’s rapidly growing Navy to expand its reach.
Those include ports at Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Gwadar in Pakistan, which are widely criticized as footholds for a potential military presence, although no Chinese forces have officially been deployed at them.
China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti in 2015, ostensibly to support its forces participating in international anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. The outpost, which began as a logistics base but is now more heavily fortified, is within miles of the U.S. base in that country.
China has also stepped up military cooperation with Iran. The People’s Liberation Army Navy has visited and participated in military exercises at least three times, beginning in 2014. The most recent was December 2019, when a Chinese missile destroyer, the Xining, joined a naval exercise with the Russian and Iranian navies in the Gulf of Oman.
China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency quoted the commander of Iran’s Navy, Rear Adm. Hossein Khanzadi, saying that the exercise showed “the era of American invasions in the region is over.”


mercurynews--2020-07-11--Attorney for St. Louis couple who waved guns at protesters turns handgun over to police

ST. LOUIS , Mo .
— Lawyer Albert Watkins on Saturday turned over to police what he said was the handgun that city resident Patricia McCloskey had waved at protesters June 28 .
Police served a search warrant Friday at the Portland Place home of Mark and Patricia McCloskey and seized the rifle that Mark McCloskey had brandished that evening .
The couple made national headlines after they stood in their yard holding a rifle and a handgun and shouted at a crowd of protesters marching through the neighborhood on their way to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the handgun “ to maintain the integrity of the defense of Mr. and or Mrs. McCloskey in the event — what I believe to be the highly unlikely event — of any charges being brought.
” No charges have been filed against the McCloskeys .
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner said after the incident that her office was investigating .
Watkins had been representing the couple , appearing with them on television and arranging interviews .
But he said Saturday that although they remain his clients , he would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may or may not occur on a criminal front , ” regarding the Portland Place event last month .
“ My ability to move forward on behalf of the McCloskeys is compromised by my potential role as a witness in this case , ” Watkins said .
“ Because I have possession of … this weapon ” and , he added , because he was the person to hand the weapon to detectives Saturday .
Defense lawyer Joel Schwartz said he is now representing the McCloskeys in the protest matter .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly unwarranted , ” Schwartz said Saturday .
“ Based upon Missouri law and the Castle Doctrine , the McCloskeys were 100 % within their rights .
As well as the potential of protection of self and from bodily harm should that have arisen.
” Watkins stood outside his Clayton office building Saturday afternoon and held the handgun wrapped in a plastic bag .
He said the gun was “ inoperable ” and had been used as an exhibit in several cases against the manufacturer — litigation that Mark McCloskey had handled at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun was inoperable as she confronted protesters , Watkins said , but displayed the gun as an “ intimidation factor which may be utilized within the context of any self-defense.
” “ I ’ m not a gun expert , ” Watkins said as he held up the bag with the gun .
“ This is the closest I ’ ve gotten to handling a gun and I , quite frankly , don ’ t feel comfortable doing it even though it is inoperable and unloaded.
” The McCloskeys have a long history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a certain degree of property , when you have a certain degree of business concerns and you get into disputes , the lawful , civil way to handle those matters and controversy is to do exactly what they did : file a lawsuit , ” Watkins said .
He said the number of lawsuits a person is involved with means nothing .
PHOTO ( for help with images , contact 312-222-4194 ) : STLOUIS-PROTEST-MCCLOSKEYS

By Sarah Teague
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Lawyer Albert Watkins on Saturday turned over to police what he said was the handgun that city resident Patricia McCloskey had waved at protesters June 28. Police served a search warrant Friday at the Portland Place home of Mark and Patricia McCloskey and seized the rifle that Mark McCloskey had brandished that evening.
The couple made national headlines after they stood in their yard holding a rifle and a handgun and shouted at a crowd of protesters marching through the neighborhood on their way to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson’s house.
Watkins said he took possession of the handgun “to maintain the integrity of the defense of Mr. and or Mrs. McCloskey in the event — what I believe to be the highly unlikely event — of any charges being brought.”
No charges have been filed against the McCloskeys.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner said after the incident that her office was investigating.
Watkins had been representing the couple, appearing with them on television and arranging interviews. But he said Saturday that although they remain his clients, he would not represent them in connection with “whatever may or may not occur on a criminal front,” regarding the Portland Place event last month.
“My ability to move forward on behalf of the McCloskeys is compromised by my potential role as a witness in this case,” Watkins said. “Because I have possession of … this weapon” and, he added, because he was the person to hand the weapon to detectives Saturday.
Defense lawyer Joel Schwartz said he is now representing the McCloskeys in the protest matter. “I will say that I believe charges are clearly unwarranted,” Schwartz said Saturday. “Based upon Missouri law and the Castle Doctrine, the McCloskeys were 100% within their rights. As well as the potential of protection of self and from bodily harm should that have arisen.”
Watkins stood outside his Clayton office building Saturday afternoon and held the handgun wrapped in a plastic bag. He said the gun was “inoperable” and had been used as an exhibit in several cases against the manufacturer — litigation that Mark McCloskey had handled at his firm.
Patricia McCloskey knew the gun was inoperable as she confronted protesters, Watkins said, but displayed the gun as an “intimidation factor which may be utilized within the context of any self-defense.”
“I’m not a gun expert,” Watkins said as he held up the bag with the gun. “This is the closest I’ve gotten to handling a gun and I, quite frankly, don’t feel comfortable doing it even though it is inoperable and unloaded.”
The McCloskeys have a long history of filing lawsuits.
“When you have a certain degree of property, when you have a certain degree of business concerns and you get into disputes, the lawful, civil way to handle those matters and controversy is to do exactly what they did: file a lawsuit,” Watkins said.
He said the number of lawsuits a person is involved with means nothing.


mercurynews--2020-07-11--Gilroy: Crews Fire now 96% contained

Gilroy: Crews Fire now 96% contained

GILROY — Firefighters have almost fully contained the 5,500-acre Crews Fire in the hills east of Gilroy , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ morning , the fire was 96 % contained , with crews expecting to fully extinguish @ @ @ @ @ to Cal Fire officials .
“ Mop-up continued today with crews working to back-haul trash @ @ @ @ @ , ” the latest incident report said .
“ Firefighters will maintain an active patrol @ @ @ @ @ perimeter throughout the day.
” The fire began near Crews Road and Sunlit Oaks Court @ @ @ @ @ quickly spread across about 1,500 acres that night , according to Cal Fire .
By @ @ @ @ @ 5,400 acres , and has since settled at about 5,500 acres .
Favorable weather conditions @ @ @ @ @ all evacuation orders Wednesday and reopen Cañada Road , which had been closed off to @ @ @ @ @ injuries have been reported , but the flames have destroyed one structure .
The fire @ @ @ @ @ investigation .

GILROY — Firefighters have almost fully contained the 5,500-acre Crews Fire in the hills east of Gilroy, authorities said.
As of Sunday, the fire was 96% contained, with crews expecting to fully extinguish it by Thursday, according to Cal Fire officials.
“Mop-up continued today with crews working to back-haul trash and hose to drop points,” the latest incident report said. “Firefighters will maintain an active patrol of the fire’s perimeter throughout the day.”
The fire began near Crews Road and Sunlit Oaks Court around 2 p.m. July 5 and quickly spread across about 1,500 acres that night, according to Cal Fire. By Monday, it had scorched 5,400 acres, and has since settled at about 5,500 acres.
Favorable weather conditions allowed Cal Fire to cancel all evacuation orders Wednesday and reopen Cañada Road, which had been closed off to battle the flames.
No injuries have been reported, but the flames have destroyed one structure. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.