The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Berkeley: Your questions answered
Who’s next in line, where to get a shot, and more answers to your questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Coronavirus
Top Stories
Too soon, or not soon enough? Pace of school reopenings divides Berkeley
Some Berkeley parents want an immediate return to campuses, but others have argued that even small reopenings could be dangerous.
Berkeley residents who are 65 and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine next, but supplies are limited
Older residents can get the shots once medical workers are vaccinated
In brief
Berkeley had 68 positive COVID-19 tests in one day — but the city won’t explain why
Last week, the city of Berkeley reported its highest number of positive COVID-19 test results on a single day since the coronavirus pandemic began.
City
Curative’s COVID-19 tests, including those done in Berkeley, could produce false negatives, FDA warns
The healthcare startup’s mouth swabs may be failing to show COVID infections, potentially leading to the spread of the virus in Oakland and Berkeley.
COVID-19 outbreak strikes dozens at Berkeley’s Elmwood Care Center
At least 60% of the Elmwood Care Center’s 70 residents have contracted COVID-19 in recent weeks, according to state data. The facility declined multiple interview requests.
Now parents can easily find out how many COVID-19 cases there are in Berkeley schools
There have seven cases in elementary schools but BUSD says none were reported to be transmitted on campus.
Nearly 500 frontline workers in Berkeley have received the COVID-19 vaccine, with more planned
“We’re not wasting a single drop,” Lisa Warhuus assured Berkeleyans.
3 more people in Berkeley have died from COVID-19, city reports
The total death toll in Berkeley now stands at 12, with 1,854 COVID-19 cases reported.
Schools
In brief
UC Berkeley plans to resume classes in the fall of 2021 that are ‘primarily in-person’
The announcement comes amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases throughout California and a slight uptick at Cal.
Special ed in the age of COVID-19: ‘The school bus for distance learning came. But it didn’t have a ramp.’
Berkeley Unified has reduced special education services during distance learning. Some parents say this violates federal law.
In brief
Teachers should be among the first vaccinated, BUSD urges
Berkeley Unified School District is calling on the state legislature to make teachers among the first people prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine once it begins rolling out.
Laura Babitt, Ana Vasudeo win school board seats with campaigns for smart school reopening, student safety
The two candidates will take over for Judy Appel and Beatriz Leyva-Cutler, who are both retiring from the board.
January is the earliest Berkeley middle, high schoolers could return to campus
With BUSD’s phased reopening plan, middle and high schools are not likely to reopen before elementary campuses.
Nosh
East Bay restaurant owners say the new stimulus package will help, but only if PPP loans are forgiven
Even if the new COVID-19 relief bill is signed into law, some restaurateurs say a new round of loans will only sustain them for a few more months.
Special delivery: HelpBerkeley brings affordable restaurant meals to seniors and others at-risk
The volunteer-run group works with local eateries to provide two meals for $10 to those over 60 or self-isolating. This holiday, it will deliver hundreds of free meals.
Berkeley diners, restaurant workers react to the latest outdoor dining ban
Alameda County restaurants have been ordered to close outdoor dining for the third time this year. Diners and restaurant workers are frustrated, resigned, but also understanding.
‘Social bubbles are now popped.’ Bay Area closes outdoor dining, sets strict rules amid COVID-19 surge
The new guidelines prohibit gatherings with people outside of your household through Jan. 4.
In brief
In brief
Live racing to resume at Golden Gate Fields following COVID-19 outbreak
“COVID-19 concerns on the campus have decreased to levels to allow the resumption of live racing,” Golden Gate Fields said Friday in a prepared statement.
In brief
Alta Bates Hospital workers in Berkeley will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine Saturday
Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Friday, following closely behind several Bay Area hospitals that have already begun inoculation.
In brief
Indoor dining closed again in Berkeley, Alameda County due to COVID-19 surge
After three short weeks, indoor dining is once again closed in Berkeley as the state grapples with a rise in COVID-19 cases and Alameda County return to the purple tier.
In brief
7 months of COVID-19: Berkeley reports impacts, lessons learned
The city manager’s office will present a report outlining the city’s multi-departmental response to COVID-19.
In brief
Kids, families can finally return to playgrounds in Berkeley
After being closed for over six months due to COVID-19, playgrounds have reopened today.
Opinion
Opinion: Berkeley mayor says, do your part to address public health risks
The city of Berkeley will help businesses and artists impacted by the coronavirus and is taking steps to help the homeless, seniors, and single parents, among others.
Opinion: Change your behavior now to prevent spread of COVID-19, implores Berkeley native quarantined in Italy
The outbreak of COVID-19 is now a global pandemic. People should take it seriously, yet also be wary of alarmist panic.
Opinion: When Berkeley residents are there for each other, we are at our best
COVID-19 is also threatening a local economic crisis, which may affect the viability of Berkeley’s small businesses. Here are some steps we can take to help out.
Recent stories
Berkeley’s Silverado memory care home hit by COVID-19 outbreak
The facility has the highest number of cases at any facility in Alameda County, with 29 active cases among residents as of Sunday, and 12 cases among staff.
First COVID-19 vaccines given to health care workers at Alta Bates Hospital
Doctors, nurses and technicians who work in the emergency department at Alta Bates were vaccinated Saturday.
Local frontline health workers talk about why they’re saying yes to the COVID-19 vaccine
Alameda County health providers and emergency responders share how it feels to be first in line, and how the community can think about the vaccine’s safety.
Frontline workers at Alta Bates hospital will be the first in Berkeley to get the COVID-19 vaccine
The vaccine will be distributed during one of the darkest months of the pandemic, with cases surging throughout the Bay Area and California.
