Alameda County Surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 Deaths

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Alameda County surpassed a tragic milestone Thursday: More than 1,000 residents have died as a result of the coronavirus in the year since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the United States.

The Alameda County Public Health Department as of Thursday recorded a total of 75,175 cases and 1,021 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. That's an increase of 22 deaths since Wednesday.

The loss of these 1,021 residents has left many people heartbroken in the East Bay and beyond who will never again see their loved one celebrate a birthday, ring in a new year or spend a holiday season surrounded by family. Many died alone in a health care facility, unable to say their goodbyes to those who loved them most.

The East Bay milestone comes just days before a vaccination megasite is set to open at the Oakland Coliseum on Feb. 16, with a goal of administering some 6,000 vaccines per day.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement in front of the ballpark Wednesday. He said Alameda County had administered 94 percent of vaccines delivered there, while others lagged far behind. The county had given 149,623 vaccine doses as of Thursday, including 119,887 initial doses and 28,554 second doses.

The hardest-hit areas of Alameda County aren't far from the upcoming vaccination megasite. Oakland's 94621 and 94603 ZIP codes have seen more COVID-19 cases per person than anywhere else in the county.

Most deaths here have occurred among patients 85 and older. The younger the patient, the more likely they were to survive COVID-19.

Alameda County residents ages 75 and older are eligible to participate in a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic Friday to Monday, held at Golden Gate Fields racetrack in Albany. Sign up here and learn more about the clinic here.

Alameda County is the second in the Bay Area to exceed the 1,000-death threshold. Santa Clara County reported 1,473 deaths and 103,236 cases as of Thursday.

Here's the latest case count by community:

• Alameda: 2,052
• Albany: 284
• Castro Valley: 2,189
• Dublin: 1,425
• Eden Area: 5,185
• Emeryville: 361
• Fairview MAC: 546
• Fremont: 6,606
• Hayward: 11,831
• Livermore: 3,822
• Newark: 2,451
• Oakland: 23,349
• Piedmont: 162
• Pleasanton: 1,941
• San Leandro: 4,570
• Sunol: 31
• Union City: 3,486
• Unincorporated: 146
• Unhoused: 299
• Unknown: 371
• Under investigation: 609