First responders in Contra Costa under new rules as virus surges

Contra Costa County will begin requiring first responders to prove they’re fully vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus tests as infections send hospitalizations surging and cause new outbreaks in local jails and residential facilities, the county announced Friday.

County data shows 189 people were hospitalized as of Friday, a 400% increase from the previous month and a 26.1% increase compared with a week ago.

More than 80% of the admitted patients hadn’t been vaccinated, the county said.

Meanwhile, the county was charting worrisome outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities, a substance abuse treatment center, a care facility for older people, a homeless shelter and county jails in Martinez, Richmond and Clayton as the highly contagious delta strain overtook unvaccinated people.

As of Wednesday, at least 115 inmates and 69 jail employees had tested positive for the coronavirus since outbreaks began late last month. Of the 60 infected custody staff who work for the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office, only 22 had been fully vaccinated, the county’s health officer noted.

Ninety-two people in a homeless shelter were infected with the coronavirus as of Tuesday.

The new county health order will take effect Sept. 17 and applies to those who work at or respond to hospitals, jails and nursing facilities, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and nonemergency ambulance workers.

The county health officer issued the order after determining that an earlier version from the state didn’t require proof of vaccination or routine testing for numerous workers who come into contact with vulnerable populations.

“These facilities are sensitive because they are densely populated, often with people who are at high risk of serious illness or death if they become infected with COVID-19,” Dr. Chris Farnitano, county health officer, said in a statement. “Many of our first responders routinely visit multiple facilities, so there is a heightened risk of spreading the virus from one to another.”

The Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association didn’t respond to a Saturday email seeking comment.