Latest updates:

NEW COVID-19 CASES, DEATHS: Santa Clara County as of Wednesday had 111,076 cumulative COVID-19 cases and 1,798 deaths. There were 168 people hospitalized, 16 of which were new. San Mateo County as of Wednesday had 38,959 cumulative cases of COVID-19, with 521 deaths. There were 41 people hospitalized. Data from both counties may be incomplete due to an earlier problem with the state's reporting system for communicable diseases.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY RETURNS TO 'RED TIER': Indoor dining, exercise and other activities can resume on Wednesday, following a decline in new COVID-19 cases and rising vaccination rates. Read more here.

SCHOOL REOPENING DEAL HEADS TO STATE LEGISLATORS FOR A VOTE: California lawmakers are expected to pass a new bill Thursday that would push — though not require — school districts across the state to resume in-person instruction. Gov. Gavin Newsom championed the deal during a visit to Palo Alto on Tuesday.

BLUE SHIELD TAKES OVER STATE'S VACCINE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: All California counties will start playing by the same rulebook on Monday, when Blue Shield takes over the distribution of vaccines in the state. Read more here.

SAN MATEO COUNTY ENTERS RED TIER: California has allowed San Mateo County to move from the most-restrictive purple tier of reopening to the red tier, effective 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 24. The change allows the county to allow for loosened restrictions, which lets restaurants and gyms accommodate people indoors with modifications, among other activities. Read more here.

YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE QUESTIONS — ANSWERED: We've compiled a list of who can currently get vaccinated in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, plus answers to common questions and links to resources. Read more here.

COVID-19 TESTS AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT: Santa Clara County is operating appointment-only COVID-19 test sites on a rotating basis. Read more here.

For coverage by subject — how the virus is affecting public health, residents, schools, cities, businesses, nonprofits, arts groups, etc. — please go to our Wakelet page.

View an archive of previous updates here.