Coronavirus updates: Fresno County up to 18 cases; child fatality in LA County

The number of cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to climb in the central San Joaquin Valley, and health officials in Los Angeles County confirmed a child has died as a result of the virus. It was one of three fatalities the county announced Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Fresno County announced five new coronavirus cases. Along with the seven cases announced Monday evening, Fresno County now has 18 cases.

In Tulare, a 17th case was announced on Tuesday. The total is 37 for the region including Tulare, Madera, Merced and Kings counties.

Health officials also announced a first case in Merced County.

In a White House Press briefing on Monday, Attorney General William Barr announced an executive order that makes it a crime to stockpile and resale certain medical items. The order is aimed at those who are price gouging N95 masks, ventilators and other supplies critical to the treatment of COVID-19, according to the Dalily Caller.

”Stockpiling toilet paper at home won’t be a crime,” Barr said.

Amtrak closes stations, reduces schedule in Central California

Starting Thursday, Amtrak and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority will suspend the operations of three of the seven daily northbound Amtrak San Joaquin trains through the Valley, and three of seven southbound trains.

There is no date for when the services will be restored.

The San Joaquin trains flow daily between Bakersfield and Stockton; from Stockton, trains continue on to either Oakland or Sacramento.

Additionally, Amtrak stations in Fresno, Hanford, Merced, Modesto and Martinez will be closed. Trains will continue to stop at those stations, but riders won’t be able to go into those stations to buy tickets.

Fresno acts after weekend crowds at parks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of all parking lots at state parks and state beaches on Monday. Cities in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego have taken similar steps to protect their public spaces from becoming overcrowded.

Crowded seemed to be the case at Fresno’s Woodward Park over the weekend, as Fresno’s parks had remained open and free to enter.

That changed on Tuesday when the city announced the closure of all parking lots to city parks, where feasible, and until further notice. The closures start Wednesday and includes Woodward and Roeding Parks.

Olympics postponed; Valley athletes affected

The International Olympic Committee postponed the 2020 Games in Tokyo until 2021 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The decision means at least four central San Joaquin Valley athletes will have to wait for their chance representing the United States in the games.

The list of locals who hoped to compete in Tokyo includes track and field athlete Jenna Prandini of Clovis, boxer Richard Torrez Jr. of Tulare, soccer player Lynn Williams of Fresno and BMX rider Brooke Crain of Visalia.

Fresno County looking to shelter homeless

Fresno County is taking measures to house about 300 homeless people in an attempt to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. The beds are set up in dorm-like rooms at three buildings owned by RH Community Builders using emergency COVID-19 funding from the state. Beds are spread among the old Hacienda hotel, former CAP campus and another building at 1040 North Pleasant Ave. So far, only the former CAP campus is running, as they have not yet reached capacity.

Fresno County is also looking into the possibility of renting hotels to serve as housing.

Tourist towns want people to stay home

Across the state, tourist towns are deeply troubled by a surge of visitors that happened over the weekend.

Some cities and counties, like Mono County just east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada, have taken action. Over the weekend, Mono County banned most short-term vacation rentals in an effort to prevent tourists from carrying the new coronavirus into the isolated, resource-strapped community.

Three arrested for looting

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of looting a Walgreens and a Save Mart in Kingsburg amid the coronavirus outbreak, police said Monday. The trio are suspected of stealing more than $3,000 of merchandise, including baby formula, diapers, bottled water, cosmetics and perishable food items.

They may also be responsible for other thefts in the North Valley and East Bay, police said.

Fresno City latest to cancel graduation

State Center Community College District, which includes Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, Madera Community College Center and Oakhurst Community College Center, canceled its May graduation ceremony on Monday. Alternative virtual and remote celebrations are being planned.

Classes will remain online through the spring semester, and into the summer semester.

Real ID deadline postponed

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles will see some relief thank to an announcement Monday that the Oct. 1 deadline to obtain a Real ID will be postponed. DMV offices had extended their hours to deal with the close to 16 million California drivers expected to come to the DMV by the end of the year. A new deadline was not announced.

Mono Wind Casino to close

The last of the area’s Indian casino’s has closed. least March 31.

The Mono Wind Casino in Auberry, in the Sierra foothills northeast of Fresno, announced its closure in an Instagram post and on its website on Monday. The casino will remained closed until March 31 at least.

Without sports, people betting on the weather

File this under, “gamblers are gonna gamble.”

With the vast majority of live sporting events canceled, gamblers have taken to betting on everything from WrestleMania 36 (which will proceed on April 5 and 6 for a television audience only) to camel races in Mongolia, to the weather.

“We are doing stuff we have never done before,” said Dave Mason, the brand manager for BetOnline.ag SportsBook. “Over/under on stocks. People are betting on video games. We got our creative juices flowing.”

Have you been, or tried to get, tested?

The Bee want to hear from those in the community who have been tested or tried to get tested. We’re looking for what the experience was like, any challenges you faced and whether you were treated well.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 9:38 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Fresno County up to 18 cases; child fatality in LA County."