Death is first in Berkeley, as cases and deaths grow for city, region, and nation
Berkeley's Health Officer announced that a Berkeley resident in their 40s has died of COVID-19, a virus for which there is no treatment and for which the most powerful antidote during a pandemic is staying home except for essential activities.
This first Berkeley resident to die from COVID-19 had underlying health problems, which data shows makes people more likely to suffer severe illness from this new coronavirus. People over 60 are also more susceptible to severe illness, but the virus affects all ages.
The virus has been spreading in silent ways through our community, a key factor prompting Berkeley’s Health Officer and six others to declare a shelter-in-place on March 16. This person also appears to have gotten the virus in the community.
An invisible threat, the COVID-19 virus can be carried and spread by apparently healthy people. It can move onto objects they touch. It travels through the air by sneezing, coughing or just talking near another person.
Everyone should wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when in any public setting where you cannot maintain 6-feet of space, including grocery stores and pharmacies. They may be unknowing carriers of this deadly virus.
“I am deeply saddened at the news of the first COVID-19 death in Berkeley, and my condolences go out to their family,” said Mayor Jesse Arreguín. “We all have the power to reduce the spread of this virus – and the deaths and heartache it creates. We all must follow the shelter in place order to protect ourselves, our neighbors, friends, family, and those most at risk. Together, we can get through these difficult times.”
This death is one of 17 lab-confirmed COVID-19 deaths so far for all of Alameda County, 442 in the state and 12,745 in the nation. This Berkeleyan was one of 34 people infected with COVID-19 in Berkeley, nearly 17,000 in California and almost 400,000 for the United States.
“This tragic death is a reminder that none of us can afford to dismiss the threat from this disease,” said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, Berkeley’s Health Officer. “It can affect anyone – with consequences as severe as death. We will never know how this person could have contributed to our community over the decades of life they should have had.”
“This death is also a sad reminder of the urgency to shelter in place.”
Protect yourself and others
This news underscores the critical importance of all of us doing our part to slow the spread of this virus. Steps everyone can take to make our whole community safer include:
- Stay home. Leave only for essential needs.
- If you’re sick, stay home entirely. Leave only to get medical care, and call first before visiting a health care facility.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from other people when out.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you leave home.
- Practice everyday healthy behaviors:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- When soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, phones, countertops, and tables daily.
Get email updates
We send community messages several times a week with new COVID-19 information, advice on how to prepare and stay safe, and resources to help residents and businesses navigate these difficult times. Sign up for the list and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Get prepared
In the coming weeks, COVID-19 is going to touch many of our households. We all need to get prepared. Learn how to care for yourself or a family member if you become ill. If you have pets, make a plan to ensure they will be cared for if you are hospitalized.
Donate supplies
Support our emergency response. We need masks, gloves, thermometers and other protective goods to support Berkeley’s firefighters, nurses, police, and others as the need arises. See the full list of items we’re seeking and let us know if you can help.
