Golden Gate Fields extends closure COVID spike

Golden Gate Fields is staying closed for at least two more weeks after a significant spike of the novel coronavirus on the backstretch of the Northern California horse racing track. The facility closed on Friday to racing after there were 24 confirmed cases for COVID-19. The track had hoped to reopen on Thursday but has now pushed back the date to no earlier than Dec. 3.

The current number of infected workers is around 100 according to two people with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly. About 500 people have been tested with a positivity rate of around 30%, which if consistent with pending tests, could swell the number with the coronavirus to about 150. At least a fifth of the tests are outstanding with more results expected on Thursday.

Neither the track nor its parent company, The Stronach Group, said how many current cases are tied to the facility and directed inquiries to the Berkeley Public Health Department. A spokesman for the City of Berkeley said the city does not release the number of cases at any specific location.

Most of those infected are asymptomatic and they are in varying stages of quarantine.

“It is still undecided whether persons tested positive will be asked to leave the track or be segregated at Golden Gate Fields,” according to an alert sent to members of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. In outbreaks at Santa Anita, like Golden Gate owned by the Stronach Group, workers were generally sent to hotels to quarantine.

Golden Gate Fields said in a news release that it was cooperating with the Berkeley Public Health Department in managing the outbreak. The backside of the track, where the horses and workers are housed, is in Berkeley, while the frontside, where the public attends and watches the races, is in Albany.