Golden Gate has more than 200 associates test COVID-19 positive

More than 200 people living or working on-site at Golden Gate Fields have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a release sent out late Friday night by the track and the city of Berkeley (Calif.) Public Health department.

Racing has been suspended at Golden Gate for more than a week following a COVID-19 outbreak at the track, where the stable area is located in the city of Berkeley. The grandstand sits in the city of Albany.

According to the release, sent out at 9 p.m. Pacific time Friday, every person living or working on-site has been tested, and all those who have tested positive are being isolated off-site.

“The track is assisting with off-site housing for those who have tested positive and has arranged for twice-daily food delivery to ensure that those individuals do not have to leave isolation,” the release said.

Golden Gate’s medical director, Dr. David Seftel, is an infectious-disease specialist. He is “providing medical consultation to those who live and work at the racetrack,” the release said.

Those who tested negative, but were in contact with those who tested positive and thus must be quarantined for 14 days, are being provided “daily food delivery and access to medical support as well as the means to safely quarantine, including additional bathrooms and handwashing stations,” the release said.

“Golden Gate Fields continues to implement health and safety measures, including strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.”

If any more cases are identified, “further investigation and tracing will be done by Berkeley Public Health and additional isolation and quarantine will be required,” the release said.

As of now Golden Gate has canceled racing through the end of the month. There is no scheduled date for the resumption of racing. Training is allowed.