Stay-at-home extension to May 1 coming soon

With President Trump’s announcement Sunday from the White House that Americans should maintain social distancing through at least May 1 to combat the spread of novel coronavirus, questions naturally began to rumble in the West Valley about Santa Clara County’s existing order expiring on April 7.

County officials, anticipating those inquiries, announced Monday that an extension of the stay-at-home order will be finalized soon. It it expected to last until at least May 1.

“We have said an extension might be expected as we work together to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease,” County officials said in a statement.

The extension is expected to apply region wide, though each County Health Department makes their own orders.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed made the announcement for her county at a press conference Monday afternoon.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state has approximately 5,800 positive COVID-19 cases, though testing remains a barrier to accurate counts.

As of Sunday afternoon, Santa Clara County has 646 positive COVID-19 cases, an increase of 55 over Saturday’s count. 25 people in the County have died from the virus.