Vaccinated Berkeley students were 6 times less likely to get COVID-19 this fall, district data show
The data mirror statewide trends showing lower rates of infection in vaccinated people.
Coronavirus
Top Stories
Berkeley reports first omicron COVID-19 case; Alameda County has 11 more
The city of Berkeley released this statement Friday just after 5:30 p.m. Officials said there would be no further comment.
Berkeley ends its ‘Healthy Streets’ road barrier program
The city closed 4.2 miles of Berkeley roads to cars during the pandemic. The city manager says lessons from the program will inform a future bike plan.
In brief
Almost half of Berkeley kids 5-11 have gotten COVID-19 vaccine, city says
About 3,000 Berkeley 5- to 11-year-olds — 48.5% of the age group — were partially vaccinated as of Thursday.
COVID-19 vaccine
Number of unvaccinated city workers still unclear as deadline approaches
At least 80% of Berkeley’s city workers are fully vaccinated, based on limited data released Wednesday.
Eager parents flock to Berkeley Unified COVID-19 vaccine clinic
The event was intended for families in harder-to-reach communities, but elementary parents from across Berkeley shared the event’s registration link.
I got my COVID-19 booster at a Berkeley Walgreens. Here’s how to get yours.
Eligible Berkeleyans can get their booster shot at local pharmacies, walk-up clinics or private health care providers.
Berkeley to loosen mask mandate for vaccinated people in limited settings
Offices, gyms and more could soon drop face-covering requirements — but only if they follow strict guidelines.
Berkeley school board approves student vaccine-or-test requirement
The policy, designed to serve as “an on-ramp” to the statewide student vaccine mandate, was approved without a controversial proposed vaccination requirement for student-athletes.
City
When will Berkeley lift mask mandates? Here are the new Bay Area criteria
Berkeley will end its mask requirement when the rest of Alameda County reaches low case rates and high vaccination levels.
Berkeley enacts COVID vaccine mandate for city workers
Workers have until Nov. 15 to get vaccinated, unless they can claim a medical or religious exemption from the requirement.
Berkeley’s vaccination requirement goes into effect Friday
Proof of vaccination will be required at restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms, dance and yoga studios, and events with at least 1,000 attendees. Also: theaters where food or drinks are sold.
In brief
Rental assistance is available for tenants and property owners in Berkeley
Tenants and property owners who need financial support with rent and utilities can apply by the end of September to receive up to 15 months of help.
Schools
Berkeley High records year’s first COVID-19 outbreak
At least five students have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 700 people have been identified as close contacts in connection with an outbreak associated with a Berkeley High sports team.
After 2 months of classes, still no COVID-19 outbreaks at Berkeley schools
BUSD has avoided outbreaks and school closures this fall. The district has relatively high vaccination rates among students and staff.
Vaccines ‘a step closer’ for Berkeley kids under 12 after FDA panel recommendation
If approved, Berkeley children would be able to get vaccinated as soon as next week. BUSD has three vaccine clinics planned for November.
A ‘mad rush’ to get Berkeley kids to school after most district bus drivers are exposed to COVID
Bus service isn’t expected to resume until Friday, leaving parents scrambling to make carpool plans.
Nosh
Berkeley to require proof of vaccination at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and more
Workers at those businesses and several others will also be required either to get vaccinated or receive weekly COVID-19 tests.
Why it’s legal for East Bay restaurants to require vaccinations
An East Bay ax bar; a new chef for Downtown Wine Bar; more Quick Bites.
A running list of East Bay bars and restaurants that require proof of vaccination
Every East Bay restaurant and bar that requires vaccination proof, negative testing, or other COVID-19 protections.
Berkeley mayor calls for masking mandate as delta variant spreads
East Bay restaurants and bars have resorted to a patchwork of rules in the absence of official restrictions.
2 Oakland restaurants will ban diners who don’t bring proof of vaccine or negative COVID test
Palmetto and the Kon-Tiki will require all patrons to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
In brief
Berkeley enters orange tier: Bars, offices able to reopen
California is expected to announce Tuesday that Alameda County can move into the orange tier, meaning Berkeley could open bars and expand several other business operations.
Golden Gate Fields
‘Urgent’ changes at Golden Gate Fields amid 100 more COVID-19 cases
More than 300 people at Golden Gate Fields have now tested positive for COVID-19. The racetrack has approximately 540 workers, the state has said.
Golden Gate Fields horse trainer Bob Hess Sr. has died from COVID-19
Hess told Berkeleyside from his ICU bed recently he was looking forward to his next meal at his favorite restaurant, Bette’s Oceanview, where he had eaten more than 8,000 times.
How did 200 racetrack workers at Golden Gate Fields get COVID-19?
The track has said 95% of the people who tested positive had no symptoms and that this is likely what allowed the disease to spread so broadly.
As of Friday, more than 200 people at Golden Gate Fields have COVID-19
More than 200 people from the Golden Gate Fields racetrack community have contracted COVID-19, according to a new statement officials released early Friday evening.
More than 100 workers at Golden Gate Fields racetrack now have COVID-19
More than 100 racetrack workers at Golden Gate Fields tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The city of Berkeley’s total case count spiked overnight from about 920 to 1,050.
In Brief
In brief
Berkeley moves toward COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers
The proposed policy would require city workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15. Exceptions to the mandate would be limited.
In brief
Berkeley’s mass vaccination site at Golden Gate Fields closes after 4 months
People in Berkeley who still want to get a vaccine can do so at the West Berkeley site, 1701 San Pablo Ave., which is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In brief
UC Berkeley to hold in-person graduation for class of 2020 in August
Graduates will have the chance to walk across the stage at the Greek Theatre Aug. 29.
Opinion
Opinion: Berkeley mayor says, do your part to address public health risks
The city of Berkeley will help businesses and artists impacted by the coronavirus and is taking steps to help the homeless, seniors, and single parents, among others.
Opinion: Change your behavior now to prevent spread of COVID-19, implores Berkeley native quarantined in Italy
The outbreak of COVID-19 is now a global pandemic. People should take it seriously, yet also be wary of alarmist panic.
Opinion: When Berkeley residents are there for each other, we are at our best
COVID-19 is also threatening a local economic crisis, which may affect the viability of Berkeley’s small businesses. Here are some steps we can take to help out.
Related stories
Berkeley High’s pandemic yearbook is a time capsule of a historic year
With schools shut, yearbook staff were tasked with the impossible: commemorating a year at home.
All California students will need to be vaccinated to attend classes in person
Students in California will have to get the vaccine or enroll in independent study. The rule will apply to school staff, too.
Berkeley City College bucks trend of declining enrollment
Berkeley’s community college has managed to retain students at relatively steady levels throughout the pandemic.
School board split over proposal to mandate vaccines for athletes and at events like prom
The proposed rule requires students to get vaccinated or tested weekly and includes a controversial vaccine mandate for athletes and events.
