Alameda County reported two new COVID-19-related deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who have died in the county from the novel coronavirus to four.

In an update provided to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, health officer Erica Pan said most of the COVID-19 patients who had been hospitalized to date belonged to older or more vulnerable populations. Authorities did not release the victims’ ages or specify whether they had any underlying health conditions.

The Alameda County Public Health Department and the city of Berkeley, which operates an independent public health division, released updated coronavirus case totals Thursday. The county reports 178 people have now tested positive for COVID-19, including 14 in Berkeley.

The new data provided at noon on Thursday indicates 43 people in the county have tested positive in the last 48 hours. Seventy-five percent of the county’s positive coronavirus tests have been recorded since Saturday.

Alameda County’s 178 positive tests represent the fourth highest total of any Bay Area county as Santa Clara County (459), San Francisco (223) and San Mateo (195) all recorded more cases. As of Wednesday evening, Contra Costa County (108) was the only other Bay Area county with at least 100 positive tests recorded.

Related Articles Alameda County has reported a huge COVID-19 death total in recent weeks. Here’s why.

Coronavirus: California continues to beat back outbreak after deadliest day in the Bay Area

Don’t wear a mask? Face a fine in Alameda

Coronavirus: UCSF launching ‘mass testing’ effort in Oakland’s Fruitvale district

Alameda County hair salons reopen outside, but frustration still remains In a statement Thursday, Berkeley city officials said a firefighter tested positive Wednesday and is now at home recovering in good condition, with city public health department staff working to trace any possible contacts he may have had.

“This news heightens the urgency for all of us to put social distancing into place,” Berkeley Fire Chief Dave Brannigan said. “As health officers have ordered, everyone should stay home except for essential activities.”

Fire department preparations for the pandemic have included extra cleaning of stations and equipment, provision of and guidelines on personal protective equipment, and creation of a special paramedic unit for COVID-19 cases, as well as enhanced dispatch-center call screening.

Staff writer George Kelly contributed to this report.