Coronavirus updates: Fresno extends shelter-in-place order; region adds 90+ cases in day

The coronavirus pandemic continues its week-long surge in the central San Joaquin Valley, with more than 80 new cases being confirmed in the six-county region each day.

That trend continued Friday with a single-day high since the pandemic started of 94 new cases.

Fresno County announced 51 new positive cases Friday afternoon and one death.

Tulare County announced 40 new positive cases Friday, bringing the total in that county to 680. The death count still stands at 40, as no new deaths were reported Friday.

Merced County added three new cases on Friday, bringing the total, county wide, to 134.

Madera County reported zero new cases on Friday.

The six-county region, which also includes Mariposa and Kings counties, is at 1,611 total cases and 54 deaths since the pandemic began.

Fresno extends shelter-in-place order

Gov. Gavin Newsom is moving toward lifting California’s weeks-long, statewide stay-at-home order and each of the state’s 58 counties work to tailor the order to their unique needs.

Fresno County currently follows state and federal guidance in canceling large gatherings and encouraging physical distancing. In the city of Fresno, a shelter-in-place order in March closed all non-essential businesses. Outdoor exercise activities are permitted if you’re alone and following social distancing guidelines.

The order, which has come under fire from some city council member and businesses, was set to expire May 7.

Mayor Lee Brand extended the order on Friday through May 31.

“By all indications I have seen, the people of Fresno have done an excellent job of sheltering in place, and social distancing and flattening the curve,” he said. “But I recognize that patience is running thin. People want to get back to work, and businesses want to open their door.”

Here are each county’s orders and when they are set to expire.

Do you have questions for Fresno mayor?

The mayor will answer questions about the city’s coronavirus pandemic response during a live online forum at 5:30 p.m., Friday.

The hour-long forum will be moderated by Bee Editor Joe Kieta and Opinion Editor Tad Weber and cover a variety of topics, including the city’s actions so far to combat the pandemic and what might be ahead for the city and the region.

To watch, find The Fresno Bee on Facebook and YouTube Live. Viewers will be able to post questions and get answers from Brand.

San Luis Obispo County beaches remain open

Despite the wildly reported news that the governor would shutter all California beaches, the beaches in San Luis Obispo county remain open on Friday.

Gov. Newsom clarified those reports on Thursday and announced only the beaches in the Orange County area will close.

Last weekend saw thousands of people flocking to beaches, including those in Orange County, prompting concern that social distancing suggestions were being ignored. In Pismo Beach hundreds of people gathered at the ocean, mingling throughout the downtown area, with many not wearing masks.

“It looked like a holiday weekend here last weekend,” Shelli Hample of Grover Beach told The Tribune on Thursday before Newsom’s announcement. “People were packing Butterfly Grove and the beach,” she said.

“We can’t have that continue to happen.”

Fresno State students start receiving relief money next week

Fresno State students will begin to see federal emergency money hit their bank accounts as early as Monday.

These are grants, based on financial need. Only students who have filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — known as FAFSA — are eligible. Undocumented, international and other students are barred from the funds, the university said.

Qualified students will received anywhere from $350-$1,400, distributed the same way they receive their financial aid.

This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 8:15 AM.