BUSD will reinstate indoor mask mandate Monday amid new surge
More students and staff are testing positive for COVID-19 again due to a surge fueled by omicron subvariants.
In brief
Coronavirus
Top Stories
Yes, it’s a surge: Wastewater tests reveal high level of COVID-19 in East Bay
Health experts say positive cases are underreported, but high vaccination rates have meant fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
City of Berkeley urges indoor masking as COVID-19 cases spike again
Berkeley’s case rate is higher than it’s been at any point in the pandemic other than the omicron surge. Hospitalizations remain low.
Berkeley is analyzing sewage data to track COVID-19 as response shifts in third year of pandemic
As self-testing becomes more common, the Berkeley health officer said the data is a useful tool in monitoring COVID-19 in the general population.
COVID-19 vaccine
Questions of COVID safety still occupy Berkeley parents
Parents shared thoughts on vaccination and testing as the school board decided whether to lobby the state legislature over two bills.
Berkeley to end vaccination requirement for indoor dining, gyms
The requirement that restaurants and other businesses check vaccination status ends Friday.
Berkeley schools to lift outdoor mask rule Feb. 28, require staff vaccines April 29
The school district could replace as many as 150 staff members by the start of next year, if they don’t get shots by the district’s deadline.
Berkeley’s mask mandate ends, but many keep their face coverings on
While some are eager to get back to daily life without a face covering, we found masks are still the norm throughout much of Berkeley.
Berkeley, Alameda County will join state in lifting mask mandate Feb. 16
Businesses can still require customers to mask up, and health officials cautioned that face coverings are “strongly recommended.”
City
What’s next for parklets, evictions in Berkeley as COVID-19 ‘emergency’ ends
Some pandemic-forced changes will stick, while others — including aid for struggling tenants — face an uncertain future.
‘Are we done yet?’ 8 Berkeley stories of coping with a pandemic that won’t go away
Eight stories of uncertainty, solitude, grief and appreciation shared nearly two years after the arrival of COVID-19 in Berkeley.
Berkeley to require booster proof for workers at restaurants, gyms and more
The health order also extends its proof of vaccination mandate for restaurant patrons and gym-goers to everyone over 5 years old.
Omicron surge in Berkeley is peaking, health officer says
Cases may plateau and begin to drop in the coming days, but the city’s health official warned variants could cause more surges in the future.
Schools
Plan to end Berkeley’s K-5 distance learning option gets pushback from parents
Families with medically vulnerable students or relatives are fighting to save the Virtual Academy program, launched last fall.
How Berkeley Unified spent its $24M in COVID-19 funds
Berkeleyside analyzed district data to break down how state and federal COVID-19 relief money was spent.
Mask on or mask off? How Berkeley kids are navigating California’s new rules
One week into the rule change, Berkeley kids have mostly opted to keep masks on indoors.
In brief
Berkeley health officials give schools the OK to lift mask mandates
The Berkeley Unified School District has not said whether it will act on the change or keep its mask mandate in place.
Nosh
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.
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.
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
Update: Berkeley’s indoor mask rule remains the same
Gyms, offices and houses of worship, among other spaces have the option of dropping masks requirements.
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.
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.
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
East Bay doctor: Cases may be coming down, but you still need a mask
We spoke to Dr. Noha Aboelata about the new variant BA.2, emerging COVID-19 treatments and more.
Berkeley schools to loosen COVID-19 restrictions
Overnight and indoor field trips can happen as soon as Feb. 28. Unvaccinated students will now be allowed to attend prom and other extracurricular events.
