By Amy Graff, SFGATE
Published
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A medical professional administers a coronavirus (covid-19) test at a drive thru testing location conducted by staffers from University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) in the parking lot of the Bolinas Fire Department April 20, 2020 in Bolinas, California. The town of Bolinas, with a population of 1600, is attempting to test the entire town for COVID-19. The test had two components – the first is a blood test that will look for antibodies, and the second is a mouth and throat swab that can detect active coronavirus infections.
A medical professional administers a coronavirus (covid-19) test at a drive thru testing location conducted by staffers from University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) in the parking lot of
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
A medical professional administers a coronavirus (covid-19) test at a drive thru testing location conducted by staffers from University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) in the parking lot of the Bolinas Fire Department April 20, 2020 in Bolinas, California. The town of Bolinas, with a population of 1600, is attempting to test the entire town for COVID-19. The test had two components – the first is a blood test that will look for antibodies, and the second is a mouth and throat swab that can detect active coronavirus infections.
A medical professional administers a coronavirus (covid-19) test at a drive thru testing location conducted by staffers from University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) in the parking lot of
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Nearly 1,800 people were tested for COVID-19 in the small California coastal town of Bolinas in a major, privately funded UCSF study.
The study results have been compiled and not a single person tested positive, according to a report from the Marin Independent Journal.
“It’s a relief,” Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County’s chief public health officer, told the Marin IJ.
Bolinas is a secluded community in West Marin with a population of 1,620 and anyone who works or lives there was given the opportunity for free, voluntary testing. The tests were also available for any West Marin first responders. Researchers conducted two types of tests at a drive-up from April 20–24 to identify those individuals who are currently infected and those who previously had the virus. The diagnostic tests for active COVID-19 were implemented by collecting samples with nasal swabs while the antibody test was done with a finger-prick to collect a blood sample.
UCSF has yet to make a formal announcement about the study results or explain likely theories as to why no one tested positive. Willis told the IJ the positive outcome is likely in part due to the county’s early action in implementing a shelter-in-place order.
Two Bolinas homeowners funded the $400,000 study. The effort was “inspired by actions of the Italian town of Vo – where community leaders were able to bring the epidemic under control locally through two rounds of comprehensive testing,” according to a statement from UCSF.
Marin County reported its first COVID-19 case on March 9. Since then, 226 residents have tested positive and 12 people have died.
Cumulative cases in the greater Bay Area (due to limited testing these numbers reflect only a small portion of likely cases):
ALAMEDA COUNTY: 1,533 confirmed cases, 55 deaths
For more information on Alameda County cases, visit the public health department website.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: 842 confirmed cases, 25 deaths
For more information on Contra Costa County cases, visit the public health department website.
LAKE COUNTY: 6 confirmed cases
For information on Lake County and coronavirus, visit the public health department website.
MARIN COUNTY: 226 confirmed cases, 12 deaths
Fore more information on Marin County cases, visit the public health department website.
MONTEREY COUNTY: 185 confirmed cases, 4 deaths
For more information on Monterey County cases, visit the public health department website.
NAPA COUNTY: 66 cases, 2 deaths
For more information on Napa County cases, visit the public health department website.
SAN BENITO COUNTY: 48 confirmed cases, 3 deaths
For more information on San Benito County cases, visit the public health department website.
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY: 1,468 confirmed cases, 23 deaths
For more information on San Francisco County cases, visit the public health department website.
SAN MATEO COUNTY: 1,099 confirmed cases, 43 deaths
For more information on San Mateo County cases, visit the public health department website.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY: 2,122 confirmed cases, 106 deaths
Fore more information on Santa Clara County cases, visit the public health department website.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: 125 confirmed cases, 2 deaths
For more information on Santa Cruz County cases, visit the public health department website.
SOLANO COUNTY: 226 confirmed cases, 4 deaths
For more information on Solano County cases, visit the public health department website.
SONOMA COUNTY: 222 confirmed cases, 2 deaths
For more information on Sonoma County cases, visit the public health department website.
In California, 1,723 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. For comparison, New York has 22,269, New Jersey 5,938 and Illinois 1,933.
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- What does ‘flatten the curve’ mean and how does it relate to the coronavirus pandemic?
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- Does smoking/vaping put you at a higher risk of coronavirus?
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- What are the worst myths and misinformation about coronavirus?
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- Are the elderly at a greater risk for coronavirus complications?
- Why is Taiwan’s COVID-19 death rate shockingly low?
- How much money will I receive under the $2 trillion aid package?
- Why won’t clerks bag my reusable tote at Safeway and other stores any more?
- What are the vexing questions about COVID-19 scientists still can’t answer?
- How can I deal with anxiety during coronavirus?
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