San Mateo County bars gatherings of 250 or more

SAN MATEO COUNTY » In yet another step to slow the spread of the coronavirus, San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow on Thursday issued a legal order barring gatherings of 250 or more people.

The order, which mirrors one issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom and was slated to take effect just before midnight Friday, applies to public and private gatherings, but includes exceptions for houses of worship, museums, malls, medical centers and the normal operations of airports and hotels.

According to Morrow, the order is necessary to slow the spread of the potentially deadly respiratory disease, safeguard the public and attempt to conserve health care resources as an influx of new patients is expected.

People over 60 and those with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of infection and death from the coronavirus. The goal, according to Morrow, is to reduce the number of patients potentially requiring hospitalization and other medical resources.

“I don’t take these measures lightly,” Morrow said in a statement. “San Mateo County is following the guidance from Governor Newsom and is in line with our neighboring counties in acknowledging that limiting mass gatherings is critical in slowing the spread of the disease and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Some 200 Californians have now tested positive for the virus, a 10% increase overnight, and four have died. There have been more than 100 cases in the Bay Area, with the most in Santa Clara County, which confirmed 18 more Thursday to bring its total to 66, with one death. There are 20 cases in San Mateo County, according to Morrow.