Judge Evette Pennypacker ruled that Calvary Chapel San Jose is liable to pay the fines and interest after the church held indoor services and other gatherings and did not require attendees to wear a face covering.

Before joining the county, Tony LoPresti practiced environmental, labor, and employment law at Altshuler Berzon LLP, a public interest firm based in San Francisco, and served as a law clerk in two U.S. Courts of Appeal.

Superior Court Judge Christopher Rudy is allowing Santa Clara County's lawsuit against Calvary Chapel San Jose to continue. The county wants to collect $2.8 mllion in fines for violating county health orders prohibiting indoor gatherings and requiring people to wear masks.

With more than 75% of eligible people at least partially vaccinated, health officials said it’s safe to go to the office. 

County Executive Jeff Smith said California’s new program, known as the Statewide Vaccination Network, left him with “significant concerns.”

The ruling reversed the court’s earlier decision to provide an exception for churches to the county's prohibition.

Jeff Smith says a well-enforced state order would be more effective than announcements about body bags and overflow morgues.

Since the initial amount will be limited, vaccines will be prioritized for health care workers, who are most at risk of contracting the disease.

On Tuesday, the county saw its highest single-day case count with 512 new Covid-19 infections, as well as a record number of hospitalizations.

The county’s Business Compliance Unit will focus on social distancing protocols and capacity limitations required by the public health order.

Indoor dining, gyms, churches and gatherings are prohibited under the purple tier.

Health officials said they anticipate the state will move Santa Clara County back into the more restrictive Red Tier next week.

Small businesses now have until March 21, 2021, to pay back 50 percent of past-due rent, a reprieve that comes as Covid-19 cases spike.

Santa Clara County on Sunday reported 358 new diagnoses—a single-day case count second only to the record 385 tallied on July 15.

Under the new reopening tier, which goes into effect at midnight, more establishments can expand indoor operations—with certain limitations.

County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody issued the revisions to the mandate, saying private providers need to step up to the plate.