Coronavirus updates: Placer restaurants open with restrictions; curbside pickup at libraries

Updates for Monday, May 18: Coronavirus updates: California continues phased reopening as death toll passes 3,200

As some parts of California move ahead with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus timeline for reopening the economy, one Roseville restaurant embraced the new precautions that come with dine-in business.

The Sacramento Bee visited Brookfields Restaurant on Taylor Road to see how staff were adapting to the challenges of more standard service after weeks of takeout only — which many restaurants throughout the greater Sacramento area are still confined to.

Placer County was one of the first to obtain authorization to start opening up key sectors of the economy that had since been shuttered by statewide coronavirus response measures. Phase 2 of Newsom’s plan allows for restaurants to open, but with numerous restrictions.

The state released a list of 99 requirements and suggestions for restaurants in those select counties as they begin to reopen, less than 48 hours before Brookfields opened its doors Thursday.

The scene at the restaurant was a far cry from business as usual. To meet limited capacity guidelines and ensure social distancing, every other booth was empty, and contained a plastic barrier to separate patrons from each other.

All servers were outfitted with black face masks and every employee has their temperature taken and recorded at the start of their shifts.

Washing and sanitizing has become a constant ritual. One server said he was washing his hands and disinfecting contact surfaces every 20 minutes.

“I think (employees) are embracing it, they’re grasping it. You have old habits you have to change, but they’re very receptive, very coachable to the things we have to do,” manager Patricia Wysocki said. “The folks that are here are happy to be back to work and want to work.”

The customers were just as happy. The restaurant saw steady traffic Thursday and Friday, with some guests remarking on the welcome change from home cooking.

Many Sacramento County business owners and public officials have been eager to see an economic reopening locally, but state requirements dictate that a county must have gone at least 14 days without a COVID-19 death to be considered.

There was another death in Sacramento County reported Sunday, according to Public Health officials, making May 31 the earliest possible reopening date.

Coronavirus by the numbers

More than 4.7 million people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide as of late Sunday afternoon, and nearly 315,000 people have been killed by COVID-19, according to data provided by Johns Hopkins University. More than 1.7 million patients have recovered.

The United States accounts for more than a quarter of all coronavirus cases, with nearly 1.5 million cases in the country. More than 89,000 Americans have died of COVID-19.

Russia overtook the United Kingdom in total infection numbers earlier this week after a large surge in coronavirus. The transcontinental nation has seen nearly 282,000 infections and more than 2,600 deaths. While the United Kingdom reports fewer confirmed cases (almost 245,000), there are a lot more deaths (over 34,000).

Brazil also surpassed Spain on Saturday night in case numbers, coinciding with a broader trend of European nations finally asserting control over the pandemic. Some countries, such as Norway, Germany, Poland and Czechia, have begun to relax lockdown measures.

Spain has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the world, with 230,000 cases and 27,000 deaths. Brazil now has 240,000 cases and 16,000 dead due to the virus.

New York, however, dwarfs the sprawling South American country. The state has more than 350,000 people infected with coronavirus and 28,000 people have died.

Nearby New Jersey has seen high numbers as well, with more than 146,000 cases and 10,000 deaths.

New York City is still the primary hotspot of coronavirus on the East Coast. More than 192,000 have been infected with coronavirus.

California has fared better, with nearly 80,000 cases total and over 3,200 deaths as of Sunday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins. The Golden State currently has more cases than Canada, with 78,000, but fewer than China, with 84,000.

Los Angeles County accounts for almost half of all Californian infections, with 38,000 cases and over 1,800 deaths.

As of Sunday morning, Sacramento County health officials reported 1,237 cases of coronavirus, up by 26 since Saturday, and 55 deaths, up by one. On Friday, 17 new infections were announced. Three deaths were reported on Thursday, all stemming from Citrus Heights.

As of Sunday, Yolo County reported 184 cases, up by one from Saturday, and 22 deaths. Of the fatalities, 15 were people connected to Woodland’s Stollwood Convalescent Hospital.

Placer County reported 175 cases and eight deaths. It added one case Sunday, but its last death was reported on April 15.

El Dorado County reported 64 cases and no deaths. It added four new cases Thursday.

Sutter County added one infection on Saturday, bringing its total cases to 38. Two people have died there. Yuba County has seen 25 cases and one death.

Sacramento-area libraries offer curbside pickup

The Sacramento Public Library joined the ever-expanding list of institutions shifting to curbside pickup in order to adapt to the health demands of the coronavirus pandemic.

The library started a new pilot program at two branch locations that will allow patrons to reserve library materials including books and other media online and then pick it up in person.

For now, the service is currently only available at Belle Cooledge Library in South Land Park and Sylvan Oaks Library in Citrus Heights, but other branches may soon be included.

“We are working to expand curbside service to as many branches as soon as possible and in a safe, coordinated and phased effort,” the Sacramento Public Library said in an FAQ. “Once we fine-tune curbside pickup at these pilot locations, we will expand to more branches in a phased approach.”

Once media in the Sacramento Public Library’s online catalog are placed on hold, the library will contact you to set up an appointment for in-person pickup.

Only materials at the Citrus Heights and South Land Park libraries are available for pickup.

Sylvan Oaks and Belle Cooledge will be open for curbside pickup and returns at designated receptacles Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

What is COVID-19? How is the coronavirus spread?

Coronavirus is spread through contact between people within 6 feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The CDC says it’s possible to catch the disease COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it, and then touching your own face, “but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

Symptoms of the virus that causes COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which may occur two days to two weeks after exposure. Most develop only mild symptoms, but some people develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal. The disease is especially dangerous to the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.

This story was originally published May 17, 2020 at 11:44 AM.