Coronavirus updates: Tulare County nears 1,000 cases; Rally at Fresno city hall
The surge in cases of the coronavirus in the central San Joaquin Valley continues, as health officials in the six-county region reported a daily increase of nearly 170 new cases Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the total number of cases in the region was even higher, at 2,060. Fifty-six people have died from the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
Tulare County Health and Human Services agency added 58 new cases in its Wednesday update after reporting 101 Tuesday. The county also confirmed another person has died from complications of the coronavirus. This brings the total deaths in the county to 41.
Fresno County’s Department of Public Health set a one-day reporting record Tuesday, with 52 new confirmed cases. It has now seen 724 positive cases. Nine people have died in the county.
Both Mariposa and Merced counties added one additional case on Wednesday morning, bring their county totals to 15 and 147, respectively.
Kings County’s public health department reported 13 additional cases there, raising the total to 211 including 33 recoveries and a single fatality.
Most of the case count tied to one outbreak, supervisor says
The rapid increase in cases in Kings County over the past two weeks is directly tied to a single outbreak at meat packing plant in Hanford, according to one County Supervisor.
Nearly two-thirds of the counties positive cases are connected to Central Valley Meat Company, which reported the outbreak in late April. At the time, the company said “several” employees had tested positive for COVID-19 after being identified through the company’s daily pre-screening process. Now, some 138 case are connected to the meat plant.
Rally draws hundreds to Fresno’s city hall
At least 300 people gathered in front of Fresno City Hall midday Wednesday for a protest rally calling for an end to sheltering in place because of the coronavirus in California’s fifth-largest city.
The event unfolded the day after Mayor Lee Brand announced details of a plan to lessen restrictions.
Onlookers – many without face masks – waved U.S. flags and held signs with slogans like “Freedom over Fear,” “Open CA now” and “Fear is a Virus.” Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, who has called the city’s emergency ordinances “authoritarian” spoke at the event, along with Crazy Bernie Furniture store owner Bernie Siomiak, who has been cited three times for operating his business contrary to those emergency ordinances.
Some Fresno businesses to reopen next week
Just hours after Fresno County’s Tuesday report, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand held a news conference to announce the first phase of reopening the city to businesses.
In the plan, certain businesses will reopen, with restrictions, on Monday. They include: Auto, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV and mobile home sales; electronic and camera stores; lawn and garden stores; new construction projects, building and remodeling supply stores; pool and spa sales; furniture stores; and auctions.
All businesses in the city require face coverings for employees and customers. Businesses will not be allowed to accept returns for 30 days, and employees must undergo training on the new protective measures.
Fresno is one of the first major California cities to make the push since the coronavirus pandemic brought severe shelter-in-place rules nearly seven weeks ago.
Kidnapping suspect has COVID-19 risk. Can he wait for trial outside of jail?
A Fresno man who potentially faces life in prison for kidnapping, carjacking and robbery wants to be let out of jail to wait for his trial, saying he is worried about catching COVID-19.
Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez denied that request Tuesday in what is the latest attempt to have inmates who are elderly or have chronic illnesses released from jail. The 29-year-old suspect suffers from cirrhosis of the liver and a weakened immune system. He has been in custody since Nov. 10 and isn’t expected to appear in court again until July 7.
The jail has one confirmed one case of COVID-19 and that inmate has been isolated, according to court documents.
Parents, teachers concerned about schools reopening too soon
Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a statement last week, said that schools could be back in session as early as July — keeping kids from their summer vacation and returning them to school long before any coronavirus vaccine will be available for protection.
Newsom said schools schedules could be staggered and schools could make changes to recess and physical education to help prevent new surges of the virus. Still, the thought is worrying some parents and teachers across the state.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 8:12 AM.