Omicron surge still rising in Berkeley; expected to peak by end of January
Cases in Berkeley have shot up by nearly 4,000 since the last week of December, with over 1,000 of those cases recorded since Friday.
Coronavirus
Top Stories
Berkeley schools rely on testing, not contact tracing, to battle omicron surge
The district is relying on its new twice-weekly testing regimen and is giving two KN95 masks to all staff and students.
Having problems ordering your free rapid COVID-19 tests from USPS?
Roommates, large families, and live-work residents have encountered some challenges accessing tests from the federal government.
Scarce rapid tests force Berkeley nursing homes to make agonizing choices
Most nursing homes don’t have enough rapid tests for managing omicron, leading to poignant decisions on who they can help.
COVID-19 vaccine
City employees have 95% vaccination rate. Is a booster mandate next?
Berkeley hasn’t decided whether to grant 61 workers’ requests for medical or religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate.
Student, staff absences rise at Berkeley schools amid omicron surge
Committed to keeping schools open, the district is ramping up testing and passed a booster-or-test policy that take effect Feb. 25.
As omicron surge swamps testing centers, Berkeley hospitalizations remain low
Amid “phenomenal” rise in cases, Berkeley health official says “we need to find ways to be able to live our lives with COVID.”
Berkeley kids return to school amid omicron surge
As of Monday afternoon, at least 227 students and staff have tested positive as the Berkeley school district ramps up testing, anticipates new isolation rules.
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.
City
Alameda County is facing its largest COVID surge yet
Symptoms among the vaccinated are mostly mild. But hospitalizations are increasing and officials fear hospitals could be stressed in the coming weeks due to omicron.
Berkeley’s COVID-19 case counts soar above previous pandemic peak
Mayor urges Berkeleyans to avoid high-risk activities during omicron surge, stops short of calling for indoor event and dining restrictions.
Omicron prompts Berkeley and Alameda County health officials to require masks in all indoor settings
Now face coverings will be required in offices, gyms and houses of worship.
The Golden Bear Hotel could become permanent housing for homeless residents
If approved, the hotel will be converted into 44 permanent affordable housing units for residents.
Schools
Despite the surge, Berkeley Unified plans to stay open with bolstered testing
The district has ramped up its testing and plans to provide 19,000 rapid tests weekly to all students.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Strong ticket sales, empty seats for Berkeley venues during omicron
With omicron cases on the rise, the local performing arts scene is once again experiencing a wave of cancelations and postponements.
Chloe Verron, who died in RV on 2nd Street, remembered as courageous, loving
Chloe moved from New York to California to find a safer, more welcoming space for her gender transition.
