The news was better on the unemployment front Friday, which translated into a more robust stock market.
Although the nation is on track toward 20 percent unemployment, a record number of new jobs in the nation was recorded in May, a signal that the economy is starting to reopen and those who have lost jobs in the pandemic are finding employment again. The Labor Department reported that 2.5 million new non-farm jobs were recorded last month.
On the news from the Labor Department, announced just before opening bell, investors were feeling optimistic, and several Bay Area companies, including Tesla, Apple and HP, saw their stock prices climb.
Meanwhile, California is expected to top 125,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of the weekend. Close to 3,000 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the state Thursday.
Spikes were seen in Los Angeles County and Imperial County, which added to the 2,928 coronavirus cases, bringing the number of positive tests in the state to 122,601.
The death toll in the state stands now at 4,453, with 68 new coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday.
Although Alameda County reported 93 new cases on Thursday, Northern California counties generally posted lower new case and death totals Thursday.
Stay up to date with the virus’ spread with our Bay Area county-by-county map and our California-wide map.
Resources:
How to tell if you may have COVID-19
If you believe you have the virus, here’s what to do
How to get groceries without going to the supermarket
Here are tips for staying safe as you go to the grocery store
These Bay Area restaurants are offering delivery or takeout
If you are laid off or have hours cut in the crisis, here’s how to apply for state support
These Bay Area companies are hiring during the coronavirus crunch
Live updates:
Much of the state got the OK to move into Phase 3 of the cornonavirus reopening, allowing the resumption of activities at schools, gyms, bars and many other businesses starting next Friday. The Bay Area has said it wants to use more caution as most of the counties move deeper into Phase 2. — Kerry Crowley, 4:37 p.m.
Santa Clara County, which was the first in the nation to order a shelter-in-place against COVID-19, began easing out of its self-imposed cocoon Friday by allowing restaurants to reopen, with safety measures in place, for outdoor dining. — Linda Zavoral, 4:05 p.m.
Starting Monday, residents of Alameda County will be allowed to form “social bubbles” — groups of not more than 12 people from different households, gathering in outside spaces — as the county moves into relaxing some COVID-19 restrictions. People must remain exclusive to one bubble for at least three weeks before forming others. — Kerry Crowley, 3:14 p.m.
Shopping and outdoor dining at San Jose’s Santana Row have resumed for some businesses. Seven stores and businesses are open and six restaurants are doing outdoor dining. — George Avalos, 3:12 p.m.
Contra Costa County officials have eased COVID-19 restrictions even more, paving the way for outdoor swimming, dining in outdoor restaurant areas, outdoor church services of no more than 100 people and indoor services for 12 or less, camping and taking your dogs to dog parks, starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Earlier this week, county officials announced the resumption of indoor retail shopping and pet grooming, along with other areas. All activities must still be done in conjunction with social distancing guidelines and face coverings. — Kerry Crowley, 2:35 p.m.
Alameda County reached a grim milestone Friday as the death toll in that county reached 100 fatalities from COVID-19. Here’s how other Bay Area counties are doing. — Rick Hurd and Kerry Crowley, 1:06 p.m.
Apple employees returning to work at the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters will find some changes including optional COVID-19 testing, closed kitchens and a requirement to wear masks. — Bloomberg, 12:03 p.m.
With school districts looking to welcome back students, researchers are rushing to understand how a new coronavirus-related threat to children, “multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,” is related to COVID-19 and the ways it infects children. A few hundred children, including one in the Bay Area, have come down with the disease. — Jack Lee and Lisa M. Krieger, 6 a.m.
The Bay Area News Group has sued Alameda County over alleged violations of the state’s Public Records Act, seeking information about coronavirus cases and deaths at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The county has denied to release basic data but has not cited an exemption to the records act that would legally allow it to do so. — Angela Ruggiero, 6:20 p.m., June 4
