Contra Costa County officials held a candlelight vigil and virtual event Monday evening at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez to remember the 734 people who died from COVID-19 in the county this past year.
The lights on the center were temporarily darkened during the memorial, which was live for a small group of health care workers, first responders, county government and media. Among those in attendance were Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Diane Burgis, Martinez police Chief Manjit Sappal and several Contra Costa firefighters and paramedics.
The first Contra Costa resident confirmed to have died from the virus passed on March 22, 2020.
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano, second from left, and others hold candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Contra Costa County firefighters Lon Johnson, Gerard Garcia and Nathan Gilligan, from left, hold candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
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MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Javier Trujillo plays the guitar during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Diane Burgis and others hold candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano, right, helps light candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Martinez Chief of Police Manjit Sappal, right, and others hold candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano, second from left, and others light candles during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
MARTINEZ, CA - MARCH 22: Javier Trujillo plays the guitar during the “Hope and Healing” virtual event at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez, Calif., on Monday, March 22, 2021. The event was held to remember the 734 Contra Costa County residents who died from COVID-19, and was attended by healthcare workers, first responders and community leaders. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
“While we have reached a somber milestone, we do so at a time of hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Burgis said. “Remembering the people who we have lost reminds us of how far we have come in our struggle against COVID-19. It also helps us to never forget what the virus cost us.”
As the event streamed from outside the front of the hospital, the small group struggled to keep candles lit in the gusty winds as local musician Javier Trujillo played a gentle classical tune on the guitar. The ceremony included remarks from healthcare workers and community leaders, an invocation, live music and a synchronized lighting of civic centers across the county, along with the medical center, which was bathed in a soft yellow hue once the lights came back on.
Contra Costa County, which is still in the red tier, has extended vaccine eligibility to people who are 50 and older who live or work in the county, regardless of whether they have an underlying health condition. The county says it did this because of an increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply.
To watch last night’s livestream and remember those who perished from the coronavirus, click here.
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