Marin coronavirus spike tied to indoor gatherings – Marin Independent Journal

Coronavirus infections have shot up in Marin County over the last four days, prompting the county to recommend that local restaurants cut back immediately on indoor service.

Dr. Matt Willis, the countys public health officer, said there has been an average of 20 new cases per day in Marin during the last four days. From Oct. 15 through Nov. 4, the average was about nine. Infections are also rising across the state as well as nationally and internationally.

Marin County currently allows restaurants to provide indoor dining at 50% of capacity.

Im recommending for this coming week to reduce voluntarily from 50% to 25%, Willis said Tuesday. If the case counts continue to increase, that will shift from a voluntary to a mandatory shift to 25% starting next Tuesday.

Marins coronavirus numbers place it in tier 3 of the states system for determining the degree to which businesses and schools are allowed to reopen. In tier 3 counties, the state allows restaurants to provide indoor service at 50% of capacity, but local public health officers may set more restrictive regulations if they deem it necessary.

If Marins coronavirus numbers worsen, the county could be moved back into tier 2 within two weeks, where it would be required to remain for at least three weeks. Tier 2 counties are limited to 25% of indoor capacity.

Im trying to get in front of that, Willis said.

A reclassification to tier 1, which would take several weeks, could result in the state prohibiting restaurants from providing any indoor service.

The last thing the business community wants is to go backwards, and we support all that we need to do to keep us safely in the orange tier, said Joanne Webster, CEO of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.

However, Webster added, it is my understanding that most of the new positive cases are coming from social gatherings, especially around the holidays and traveling. I am not convinced that rolling back restaurant capacity will be impactful enough to make a difference.

Willis said the recent spike in cases has occurred among White residents in Marin. He said it is the first time since the pandemic arrived in Marin in the spring that the number of cases among White residents has exceeded cases among Latinos.

Willis said these new infections are attributable to more people gathering indoors and greater mobility allowed within the county due to Marins graduation from tier 2 to tier 3 several weeks ago.

Willis said that people dining together is particularly problematic because they gather indoors, dont wear masks while theyre eating and often spend a prolonged period of time together.

Willis said food service workers are among those workers with the highest infection rates. He noted that super-spreader events have been linked to restaurant dining.

Willis also warned about the risks of traveling outside Marin in areas where infection rates are higher. He recommended that people who travel outside the county self-quarantine for 14 days when they return.

Willis said he is seeking state funding for a second mobile coronavirus testing team. He said if state funding isnt secured, the county might need to look for local funding.

Willis said the news that Pfizer may have developed a vaccine that could be 90% effective in preventing coronavirus infection is heartening. However, he expects such a vaccine would not be available to the general population in Marin until March.

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Marin coronavirus spike tied to indoor gatherings - Marin Independent Journal