More coronavirus cases in Santa Clara County; total is now at nine
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department on Monday confirmed two new cases of coronavirus COVID-19 bringing the total number of cases in the county to nine.
In a news release, the health department said that the eighth case is an adult man who lived in the same house as someone who had a confirmed case in another county. He is under home isolation, the health department said.
The ninth case is also a man who had contact with someone he lived with in the same house and was a previously confirmed case in Santa Clara County. He is also under home isolation.
The majority of patients who were hospitalized have chronic health conditions.
The health department would not say any more because of medical privacy requirements
"An increase in cases is not unexpected," the department said.
Health officials said COVID-19 has a high transmission rate but a low mortality rate.
An infectious disease specialist at Stanford Health Care said now is the time to take precautions—from hand washing to "social distancing."
"We really need to start keeping away from others as much as possible. Not greeting with hugs and handshakes, maybe greeting with waves or namaste," said Dr. Aruna Subramanian.
Santa Clara County elections officials said they have provided voting centers with hand sanitzer and cleaning wipes. They added that there are plenty of remote voting options thanks to county-wide vote by mail ballots that went out.
"We consulted with the Department of Public Health and we have the base advisory that if people feel sick, they should stay at home," said Eric Kurhi, spokesman for the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.
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