"It's a very big deal. It's a number that is very sobering," said Betty Duong with the Santa Clara County Emergency Operations Center.
[Ads /]
Duong says Santa Clara County may have reached a milestone, but adds that those numbers need more context, such as, "the size of our county, the way the numbers have gone up and gone down, the way our numbers are trending."
TIMELINE: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
Overall, Doung said the number of cases is trending downward. Santa Clara County currently has a seven-day rolling average of 120 cases, which is a big drop from peaks seen over the summer.
Officials at some hospitals in Santa Clara County say they are also seeing a decrease in the number of hospitalizations.
The county's aggressive testing has helped, says Duong.
[Ads /]
COVID-19 RISK CALCULATOR: Quiz yourself on the safest, most dangerous things you can do as California reopens
"That means we are able to respond faster, we are able to limit the spread much quicker and thereby limiting those who may test positive in the future," she said.
Cleve Jones is an author and human rights activists, who co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.
As the United States nears another grim milestone of 200,000 deaths due to COVID-19, he reflects on parallels between the two pandemics.
[Ads /]
"Certainly the most obvious and glaring parallel is that both pandemics emerged with a president in the White House, who completely failed to perceive the gravity of the situation," said Jones, who lives in San Francisco.
RELATED: 'Entirely bizarre': Santa Clara County's top health officer reacts to CDC reversal on COVID-19 testing
"Just as in HIV/AIDS, we are seeing the same disparities in inequality playing out. Much higher death toll within African-American communities, within Latino communities," he said.
He doesn't just fault the Trump administration, but state and local government as well. And he adds that individuals need to do their part.
Duong said individuals being vigilant has helped with the downward trend in Santa Clara County.
"It comes down to the individual doing their part. Just as equally important as the system and county and our private health providers doing our parts. Everybody must do their part," says Duong.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
- Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
- How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
- Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
- First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
- From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic