Coronavirus updates: Surge in cases continues; Fresno business cited for not closing

The number of coronavirus cases in the central San Joaquin Valley continued its surge Wednesday and into Thursday, with the highest daily increase of reported cases since the outbreak began.

Eighty-eight new cases were reported Wednesday in the greater Fresno six-county region, which has seen daily increases of close to 100 cases each day this week. If the rate of increase continues, the region will have more than 1,500 cases by the end of the week.

Tulare County saw the largest increase Wednesday with close to 50 new cases. It saw an additional 14 new cases Thursday, along with four deaths.

Forty people have died in Tulare County from complications of the coronavirus so far, accounting for more than three-fourths of the 53 overall deaths in the region.

Fresno and Kings counties saw increases of 17 cases each Wednesday. It was the largest daily increase in reported cases so far in Kings County, which on Thursday morning reported no additional new cases. The county is has 96 cases total.

Earlier this week, Kings County announced it was lifting the shelter-in-place order it enacted in March. The county remains under the state directive to shelter.

‘Layered protections for everybody involved’

While the case numbers continue to increase, Fresno County’s top health officer is calling for business owners to begin thinking about whether they are ready to open with the proper protections.

The kind and amount of protections would be different based on each individual workplace, according to Dr. Rais Vohra, the interim health officer for Fresno County Department of Public Health. It would include things like stocking personal protective gear like gloves, masks and gowns; staggering employee shifts to allow for better social distancing and possibly rearranging offices or changing elevator policies.

“I think of this as something all workplaces are going to have to think about,” Vohra said. “I really think about it as layered protections for everybody involved.”

‘Crazy Bernie’ cited for operating Fresno business. Again

Bernie Siomiak, the Fresno businessman known around town as ”Crazy Bernie,” was fined $5,000 Wednesday for keeping his furniture store open in violation of Fresno’s shelter-in-place orders.

It was the third time he’s received such a citation.

The latest fine comes a day after Siomiak publicly criticized the city during a news conference with Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld.

The city reiterated that furniture stores — like other retail stores that don’t sell essential items such as food — are considered a nonessential business and should remain closed.

Siomiak’s store isn’t the only one to have been cited. In all, 28 furniture stores in Fresno have been cited for being open during the shelter-in-place orders, including four stores that were warned Wednesday.

State senator to governor: Save our restaurants

State Sen. Andreas Borgeas, R-Fresno, is calling for Gov. Gavin Newsom to include restaurants in the next phase of the state’s reopening process.

In a letter to the governor, Borgeas asked that the state provide local restaurants and leaders with a detailed, data-based timeline on phased reopening; allow local health departments to tailor guidelines and requirements, consistent with state health protocols, to protect the public; grant legal immunity against COVID-19 related litigation to restaurants under the Emergency Services Act and place the annual minimum wage increases on pause until restaurants mitigate the economic damage.

“This guidance will build upon already established practices of the restaurant industry and can serve as a template for other industries,” the letter said.

“Local restaurants and food service workers are an essential part of our economy,” Borgeas said. “We must acknowledge the truly remarkable and selfless ways businesses and their employees have stepped up to serve our communities during this crisis. Businesses should not be penalized as they attempt to assist and serve Californians.”

The letter was signed by Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and Sens. Pat Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, Brian Jones, R-Santee, John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, and Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga.

Packaging company donates $25,000 to Madera nonprofits

Ardagh Group has donated $25,000 to two Madera nonoprofits, as part of the company’s efforts to support the communities where it has facilities.

The Madera County Food Bank and Madera Rescue Mission received $12,500 each.

The donations were part of the global glass and metal packaging company $2 million fund, which allocates money to charities nominated by Ardagh’s local teams.

Ruiz Foods shuts down production lines after workers test positive

Ruiz Foods Inc., the country’s largest producer of frozen Mexican food, has been forced to temporarily shut down some production lines at its plants in Dinuba and Tulare after 43 workers tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Our first priority is protecting our team members while they work to help feed families across the country,” said Stephen Coale, Ruiz Foods senior vice president/supply chain. “But, despite our focused efforts to keep our Team Members safe, a high incidence of community spread has resulted in our decision to temporarily halt production.”

The workers who tested positive are in the Dinuba and Tulare facilities, said a spokesperson. The company noticed the increase in positive cases being reported following the three-day Easter weekend.

The partial shutdown impacts about 300 workers.

Rural elementary school finally closes

A Tulare County elementary school, believed to be the only public school in California to remain open into April amid the coronavirus pandemic, closed its doors Wednesday.

Tim Hire, the Tulare County Office of Education superintendent, said Outside Creek Elementary School is closed “until further notice.”

The rural school near Visalia had about 100 students and had remained open even after the California Department of Education said every school should shut down to comply with Newsom’s shelter-in-place order. While the school was open, parents had the choice to keep their kids at home for independent study.

Zoo gets federal loan for payroll, utilities

Fresno Chaffee Zoo received a $1.7 million loan through the federal paycheck protection program, which it will use to pay employees and utility bills.

The money will be used to keep all 220 zoo staffers on the payroll through June 30 so they won’t have to file for unemployment, CEO Scott Barton said. The money will also go toward the zoo’s costly utility bills.

The zoo temporarily closed to the public in March at the request of Fresno city officials, but zoo staff continued working to care for the animals and have worked to create online education content. The zoo is considered an essential business.

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 8:32 AM.