Bay Area coronavirus updates: Gavin Newsom deploys national guard to help distribute food

Coronavirus cases in the Bay area as reported by county public health departments. Updated: 10:30 am on April 13, 2020. Coronavirus cases in the Bay area as reported by county public health departments. Updated: 10:30 am on April 13, 2020. Photo: Andy Andersen / Blair Heagerty Photo: Andy Andersen / Blair Heagerty Image 1 of / 95 Caption Close Bay Area coronavirus updates: Gavin Newsom deploys national guard to help distribute food 1 / 95 Back to Gallery

LATEST, March 21, 9:55 a.m. San Francisco company Flexport has donated 60,000 surgical masks, 34,000 gloves, 2,000 surgical gowns and 50 thermometers to health care workers in San Francisco, Mayor London Breed announced today. Officials told the San Francisco Chronicle they would put the supplies to immediate use in San Francisco’s Emergency Operations Center.

March 20, 9:12 p.m. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Friday to permit vote-by-mail procedures to be used in three upcoming special elections as a measure to protect public health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The order also extends the deadlines for ballot counting, tabulation and other responsibilities related to California’s Presidential Primary Election.

March 20, 8:20 p.m. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday night that California National Guard members will be deployed to help with distribution at food banks.

“It’s in these times of crisis that Californians are at their best, coming to the aid of those in their community who are most in need," Newsom said in a statement. "Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families, and are needed now more than ever. Families across our state are suddenly losing work, and millions of Californians most vulnerable to COVID-19 are staying home to protect their health and the health of others."

The California Guard will first deploy personnel and logistical equipment to a food bank distribution warehouse in Sacramento County, and will then "conduct immediate site assessments statewide for those counties that have requested short-term support and stabilization."

Newsom also formally launched the Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign, a government partnership with Nextdoor.com and California Volunteers intended to help deliver food to individuals facing an elevated risk of complications due to the coronavirus.

"The collaboration will allow the state to reach more than 22,000 neighborhoods using the platform," the release reads. "Neighbors use Nextdoor to exchange helpful information and California Volunteers will use this site to share ways residents can safely check on each other during the COVID-19 outbreak. The platform will also be used to share ways to safely ensure community members have the basic necessities they may need during periods of home isolation."

March 20, 6:45 p.m. Sonoma County reported its first death due to coronavirus-related complications Friday night, bringing the Bay Area's total up to 11.

CA is issuing a statewide, mandatory STAY AT HOME order.



Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open.



We need to meet this moment and flatten the curve together.



Go to https://t.co/xtXFwVeWc2 to learn more. — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 20, 2020

No details were released on the victim. The county also announced the number of confirmed cases has risen from 11 to 22.

March 20, 6:30 p.m. Bridges across the Bay Area will suspend cash toll collection to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority announced the move on Friday, and stated that the plan will affect drivers on the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

Drivers who normally stop at cash lanes are encouraged to keep driving. An invoice reflecting the toll fee will then be sent to the owner of the vehicle.

March 20, 6:20 p.m. The San Jose Fire Department announced Friday night that 13 firefighters have tested positive for coronavirus.

Their conditions were not reported, and no other information on the infected was made available. 75 additional individuals may have been exposed, and are being monitored.

March 20, 6:00 p.m. Marin County reported 13 new cases of coronavirus Friday night, bringing the county's total to 38.

Of the 38, four are hospitalized. The county also reported it has tested 357 individuals for the virus so far.

March 20, 4:43 p.m.: The Gilroy Garlic Festival is the latest large-scale local event to be called off due to concern about the spread of coronavirus. Event organizers said on Friday afternoon that the event, usually held in July, would be canceled and "postponed" until July 2021.

"While we are anguished over our decision," organizers said in the official statement, "we all look forward to making the 2021 festival the best ever."

Other major local events, like Bay to Breakers and the BottleRock Music Festival have been postponed to later in the year.

March 20, 4:10 p.m.: After rumors began circulating on social media that the San Jose Police Department was detaining people in violation of the shelter-in-place order, a spokesperson responded Friday afternoon to clarify that such claims were false.

"Wanted to clear up that SJPD is expressly prohibited from detaining individuals based solely on the shelter-in-place order," the SJPD wrote in a tweet. "This policy was enacted the day the order became effective."

March 20, 4:00 p.m.: Express lanes on Bay Area freeways will be open to all during the health emergency, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments announced Friday.

Express lane tolling on Bay Area roadways will be suspended until April 7 "unless congestion along the corridors warrants a return to tolling," a post reads. The changes were made due to decreased traffic and because carpooling is at odds with mandated social distancing precautions.

Affected Express lanes include:

- Interstate 580 in Alameda County

- Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County

- State Route 237 in Santa Clara County

- Southbound I-680 over the Sunol Grade in Alameda and Santa Clara counties

March 20, 3:30 p.m.: Santa Clara County officials have announced the donations of money and protective medical supplies to be dispersed to the Santa Clara County Public Health Care System, as KGO reported.

The supplies include respirators, masks, hazmat suits, surgical masks and gloves, as well as more than half a million dollars. Various companies around the South Bay have donated $531,ooo and individuals have donated an additional $51,000.

March 20, 2:47 p.m.: Three counties reported new cases of COVID-19 cases Friday afternoon. Alameda County and Santa Clara County each reported seven new cases. In Alameda County, that brings the local total to 45; in Santa Clara County, the total number of cases is now at 196.

Santa Clara County also reported two men over the age of 70 died.

Solano County reported three new cases, and now has a new total of 13 cases.

March 20, 2:40 p.m.: An Oakland Police Department employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has not been at work since March 15, and is currently in quarantine and recovering.

Oakland PD learned of the positive result on Thursday. No other information was given.

March 20, 1:50 p.m.: Santa Clara County reported Friday that two more people in the county died from coronavirus-related complications. One of the patients was an man in his 80s and the other was a man in his 70s. The county has now seen eight deaths and has 196 cases.

March 20, 11:03 a.m.: San Mateo County reported 11 new cases Friday. The county total is now 100. Sonoma County now has 11 infected patients.

March 20, 10:47 a.m.: San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia told reporters Friday that 56 warnings were issued to businesses in the city for remaining open despite not being classified as essential during the shelter-in-place orders. Garcia said all 56 businesses, including gyms, barbershops and a smoke shop, complied with officers and shut down.

"Those of you that know me, know we aren't going to stay educational for long," Garcia said, suggesting that warnings will give way to more official actions. The chief said "criminal citations, business license sanctions and health code violations" would be used against businesses who had previously been issued warnings should they re-open.

Yesterday, the department reported a reserve officer tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

March 20, 9:42 a.m.: Contra Costa County health officials reported the first coronavirus-related death in the county on Friday morning.

The 70-something-old patient had underlying health conditions and a history of recent overseas travel. The person died Thursday.

San Francisco reported seven new cases on Friday. The county total is now 76.

The number of cases in California continues to climb and the state now has more than 1,000 infected patients. In the Bay Area on Thursday, Marin County reported 10 new infected patients and now has a total of 25. Santa Clara County announced a new total case count of 189. San Mateo County's count went up to 89.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday night the shelter-in-place order already in effect in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County will now be extended to the entire state and its 40 million residents. The order allows for essential businesses — such as banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, food banks and gas stations — to remain open. Restaurants can also remain open for delivery and pickup only. Bars are among the non-essential businesses that will close. Individuals can also leave their houses to take a walk or go for a jog so long as they are practicing social distancing. Newsom did not state how long the order will remain in effect.

In light of the coronavirus crisis, many events are being postponed. The organizers of the annual Bay to Breakers race announced Friday the event has been postponed to September 20. The Oakland Marathon has been rescheduled for August 30.

Where cases have been confirmed in the greater Bay Area:





ALAMEDA COUNTY: 45 confirmed cases

Fore more information on Alameda County cases, visit the public health department website.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: 46 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Contra Costa County cases, visit the public health department website.

LAKE COUNTY: 0 confirmed cases

For information on Lake County and coronavirus, visit the public health department website.

MARIN COUNTY: 38 confirmed cases

Fore more information on Marin County cases, visit the public health department website.

MONTEREY COUNTY: 5 confirmed cases

For more information on Monterey County cases, visit the public health department website.

NAPA COUNTY: 0 cases

For more information on Napa County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN BENITO COUNTY: 5 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on San Benito County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY: 76 confirmed cases

For more information on San Francisco County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN MATEO COUNTY: 100 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on San Mateo County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY: 196 confirmed cases, 8 deaths

Fore more information on Santa Clara County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: 14 confirmed cases

For more information on Santa Cruz County cases, visit the public health department website.

SOLANO COUNTY: 13 confirmed cases

For more information on Solano County cases, visit the public health department website.

SONOMA COUNTY: 22 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Sonoma County cases, visit the public health department website.

In California, 24 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here.

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.