Contra Costa County reported 92 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, its highest number in a single day.
According to county health officials, there are a couple of different factors involved.
"We are seeing increased community spread as we have, step-by-step, opened up our economy," Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said. "We also, however, are doing a lot more testing."
Farnitano told KCBS Radio that Contra Costa County has a target of 2,200 tests per day and is opening new testing sites, one on Monument Blvd. in Concord last week and a new site at Kennedy High School in Richmond by the end of the month.
Now, it's only a matter of people getting tested.
"We've really got a big campaign to encourage everyone to get tested and people who have high exposure to the community or work around vulnerable individuals to get tested at least monthly," Dr. Farnitano said.
Dr. Farnitano indicated lower-income communities and communities of color have been hardest hit, but added that county hospitals are better prepared now to treat COVID-19 patients than they were in March and April.
"Some people, you know, want to be done with the virus," Dr. Farnitano said. "I want to be done with the virus. But the virus is not done with us. The virus is just as deadly as it was back in February, March, and April, and the only thing that's different is how we behave."
He believes people need to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks.
The county reports 2,294 total COVID-19 cases and 62 deaths from the virus.
