Coronavirus updates: Fresno County gets more tests, contact tracers; Inside a packed flight

The central San Joaquin Valley’s week-long surge in the coronavirus and related deaths slowed somewhat over the weekend, according to reports from the six counties in the region.

More than a dozen deaths were reported on Friday between Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties. Tulare County had an additional three deaths on Saturday. No new deaths were reported on Sunday or on Monday, in the county’s online update.

In all, the region has seen 94 deaths, with the vast majority (67) in Tulare County, which ranks No. 2 in the state for the number of COVID-19 related deaths per 100,000 residents.

More than 3,300 people have tested positive for the coronavirus across the six counties, as the number of people who have recovered from the virus has grown to more than 1,000.

Fresno County boosts COVID-19 testing, medical supplies, contact tracers

In a move that puts Fresno County closer to meeting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s criteria for moving to the next step of reopening the economy, the county on Monday said it recently secured thousands of COVID-19 test kits and swabs, along with refurbished N95 masks and face shields.

The county also has beefed up its team of contact tracers by training staff in other county departments, such as the public defender’s office, environmental health and even the library. The training brings the county’s team up to 80 people..

Woman shares video of packed Fresno flight

Video of a packed American Airlines flight from Fresno to Dallas on Sunday is being shared widely online.

“Apparently airlines are exempt from CDC guidelines for social distancing,” Tammy Gonzalez wrote in a short clip she posted to Twitter. The video shows some passengers onboard without face masks. “All rows with the exception of maybe 4 rows were completely full of passengers. I’ve never felt so unsafe in my life.”

The airline reportedly told Storyful that 28 seats on that flight were not occupied as part of distancing measures: “On flights through May 31, American will limit the number of passengers on each aircraft. As part of this limit, American will not assign 50 percent of main cabin middle seats or seats near flight attendant jump seats on every flight, and will only use those middle seats when necessary. Gate agents will also continue to reassign seats to create more space between customers or to accommodate families who need to be seated together.”

CalFresh applications spike in Fresno County

A month after schools and businesses closed to slow spreading of the coronavirus, Fresno County saw CalFresh applications jump by more than 85%, compared to April 2019.

CalFresh is the state program formally known as food stamps.

About 11,838 applications were received in April, according to data obtained by The Bee from the Department of Social Services.

The Fresno County Department of Social Services has redirected 150 staffers away from their regular work to help process the surge of applications in order to keep up demand.

New $5 million grant program targets underserved businesses

The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation and Access Plus Capital have partnered to create a $5 million grant program for small businesses.

Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to businesses in the county that have been operating for least two years, have 10 or fewer full-time employees and have not received other assistance related to COVID-19. Applications opened on Monday and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. June 1. For more information can be found at FresnoHUBGrant.com.

Free face masks at Fresno City College

Free face masks will be available at Fresno City College on Monday.

Some 3,000 masks will be available for drive-thru pickup on a first-come first-served basis starting at 4 p.m. in the parking lot along McKinley Avenue. The giveaway is being hosted by Fresno City Councilmember Esmerelda Soria and State Center Community College District Trustee Annalisa Perea.

Mask are required in public and at businesses in Fresno.

How is Fresno County doing at staying-at-home?

Residents in Fresno County are staying home, per orders from state and local government and also the general reality that many of the place they might go — retailers, restaurants and non-essential businesses — are closed.

New smartphone data collected and released by Google offers some snapshots of just how much daily routines have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The data for Fresno County, for example, shows that on average, traffic to retail and recreation, and to workplaces, was down almost 40%.

Grocery stores and pharmacies, on the other hand, saw an initial spike of 23% to 33% more trips before averaging out at about 8% fewer trips than before.

Since mid-March, California residents overall have generally cut back on trips out, and stayed home for longer, than people in Fresno County, according to the data.

See how Fresno State grads celebrated commencement

Fresno State commencements for the Class of 2020 would have happened over the weekend if not for the pandemic.

Instead, graduates turned to social media to show how they celebrated earning a degree, what with graduation ceremonies being canceled.

Wearing a cap and sometimes a sash, graduates walked across their back yard or down the stairs or a living room while the “Pomp and Circumstance” song often played in the background.

Drinks to your door

Whether it’s a “quarantini” cocktail, a beer or something else, some people are turning to the little bit of relaxation that a good drink can bring as they cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

So what happens if you want a drink but don’t want to leave your house to get it? Especially if you’re part of an at-risk group and want to avoid contact with people who could potentially spread COVID-19?

Here are some options in Fresno.

Atwater is now a ‘sanctuary city’ for businesses

The city council in Atwater on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to make the city a ‘sanctuary city’ and allow all businesses to open.

It was met with a standing ovation and cheers.

The resolution affirms the city’s commitment to fundamental Constitutional rights and said city police and code enforcement will not interfere with businesses that reopen ahead of state guidelines. However, the city reminds businesses, that it has no jurisdiction over state business licenses.

“That’s between you and the state of California,” Mayor Paul Creighton said.

This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 8:39 AM.