Coronavirus updates: Two more cases in Tulare County; Fairgrounds will serve as hospital

The Senate passed an unparalleled economic rescue package on Wednesday, with $2 trillion worth of legislation that would give aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The package, which now heads to the Democratic-controlled House and will most likely pass on Friday, expands and extends unemployment benefits for people whose jobs have been sidelined by business closures, sick leave and family medical leave for workers and food aid.

It will would also send direct payments of up to $1,200 to many Americans. Families would also receive $500 per child.

Here’s how to calculate how much you would receive under the plan.

Law enforcement sees spike in domestic violence

The rate of domestic violence calls in Fresno County, already among the highest in the state, has increased as coronavirus continues to spread and keep more people at home. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Fresno Police Department have both filed more felony and misdemeanor domestic violence reports.

The sheriff’s office reported filing 77% more domestic violence reports last week compared to the week before (32 reports March 16-22, compared to 18 reports March 9-15, and 18 reports March 2-8).

Charity Susnick, a spokeswoman for the Marjaree Mason Center, said people’s ability to get help becomes more limited when isolated at home, and that survivors are now reaching out to her center in “essentially every way they have available to them.”

Fairgrounds to serve as hospital site

The Fresno Fairgrounds will soon serve as a makeshift hospital to treat coronavirus patients in Fresno County.

Two hundred and fifty beds are on their way to Fresno from the federal government, along with IV stands and personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks.

Fresno picked the fairgrounds for the field hospital because the property is owned by the county, located close to other medical services and has easy access for trucks. Fresno is one of eight cities around the state receiving reinforcements, according to Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.

It is unclear who will staff the beds.

Two more weeks: Mayor extends stay-home-order

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand has extended the city’s shelter-in-place order for another two weeks. He made the announcement from his north Fresno home.

The order was originally set to end March 31. The extension runs through April 12 and asks Fresno’s roughly 500,000 residents to stay home and only leave for essential trips.

Health officials: Fresno could become hotspot

On Thursday, health officials in Tulare County confirmed two new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 20.

Meanwhile, Fresno County health officials on Wednesday afternoon announced a 19th case of coronavirus in the county and warned that the area is in danger of becoming a “hotspot” once there is “uncontrolled transmission.”

This increases the likelihood of the health care system being overrun and in turn an increase in the possibility of deaths.

Of the county’s 19 cases, six were described as travel-related, two as person-to-person transmission, and 11 remain under investigation.

It is unclear when coronavirus cases will peak in Fresno County, but the county and central San Joaquin Valley appear to be “several days to perhaps a week behind” patterns seen in more populated metropolitan areas like the Bay Area, officials said.

Officials take to social media; share info, not options

Several elected officials have, in recent days, become conduits between state and local agencies and their constituents. Using social media and other platforms, they can share out the best possible information.

That includes state Sen. Andreas Borgeas, who created a website to share information and resources on COVID-19.

Fresno business relief

The Fresno City Council has created a $750,000 small business relief fund to help those that have closed down due to city and state mandated shelter-in-place orders.

The fund will make zero percent interest loans an option for those businesses. The loans would be forgivable after a year, but only if the business is still operating.

If needed, the fund could also take donations or the city could add more money at a later date to increase its size.

Fresno resources to help homeless

Fresno-area leaders are taking a “regional approach” to protect and help the homeless population through the coronavirus pandemic.

That includes pooling emergency state money from cities and counties received to fight the pandemic — a total of $2 million for the area. Fresno obtained $1 million, Fresno County got $500,000 and Continuum of Care got another $500,00.

During a news conference, city and county officials also outlined plans to isolate in hotel rooms homeless residents awaiting test results or are showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.

Fresno sporting goods stores can reopen

Under the city’s updated list of essentially businesses, sporting goods stores in Fresno can now reopen. The original emergency order deemed sporting goods stores non-essential and asked them to close last week.

In changing the designation on Wednesday, the city noted the stores sell food, water, emergency supplies, ice, food storage, propane, cooking supplies and other essential items.

Coronavirus case at Corcoran prison

An employee at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran tested positive for COVID-19, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) revealed on its website Wednesday. That brings the total number of coronavirus cases among staff in the California prison system to nine.

While the facility is in Kings County, health official there have not confirmed any positive cases of the coronavirus yet. But counties, typically report cases involving their residents and California prison employees often live in different areas and commute to work.

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Two more cases in Tulare County; Fairgrounds will serve as hospital."