Coronavirus updates: Shaver Lake reopens; High school holds in-person graduation

The number of positive cases of the coronoavirus reported in the central San Joaquin Valley spiked again Thursday, with more than 400 new cases reported across Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Maripsosa and Merced counties.

Kings County reported more than 250 new cases, nearly all tied to the outbreak at Avenal State Prison.

In all, the Valley has topped 6,000 cases and is adding an average of nearly 140 cases a day. The majority of the cases have been in Fresno (2,014) and Tulare counties. Tulare County added 33 new cases on Friday and has seen 2,1,16 total cases, so far.

The fewest cases have been reported in Mariposa, which has 16.

Fresno County has the highest number of hospitalizations, at nearly 100 people.

Tulare County continues to lead the region in the number of deaths related to the coronavirus. Ninety-two people have died of related causes in the county so far — more than the other five counties combined. Fresno County has seen 40 deaths, included three that were reported Thursday.

Across the region 149 people have died and the pace of deaths seems to be accelerating.

In May, 81 people died from the coronavirus in the Valley. That was up 59% from April, when the coronavirus was blamed for killing 51 people. April’s deaths averaged out to 1.7 deaths per day in the region, while May’s daily average was 2.6.

Through the first four days of June, 15 deaths were reported, for an average of 3.75 deaths each day.

Masks a must for Fresno City Councilmembers

The Fresno City Council mandated on Thursday that its members wear masks when at City Hall — a policy to which the rest of the building’s occupants were already being held.

The policy was supported by the majority of the council and opposed by a single member, Garry Bredefeld, who claimed the policy was an effort by the council president to bully him.

The policy would have punished a council member who doesn’t wear a mask by removing the member from committee assignments. It was amended during the meeting, and instead councilmembers will not be allowed to enter City Hall without a mask.

Bredefeld said multiple times before the meeting that he won’t be intimidated and won’t wear a mask. After the meeting, it was unclear if he’d stick to that plan.

Fresno County high school holds in-person graduation

Ignoring guidelines from the Fresno County Department of Public Health to restrict public gatherings due to the potential spread of COVID-19, Immanuel High School held an in-person graduation ceremony Wednesday night.

The ceremony celebrated 57 graduates and attracted 800 to 1,000 people in the football stadium at the Immanuel Sports Complex southwest of Reedley. The stadium seats more than 3,000.

In years past, the school’s graduation has been held inside a church auditorium.

Masks and gloves were handed out at the gate (though administrators did not make them mandatory for guests and graduates to wear) and distance was kept between families as they were seated throughout the stadium.

The graduates were seated at a socially distant six feet apart and received their diplomas from a school counselor who wore gloves.

Catholic churches set to reopen in Fresno

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno announced it will reopen its churches and resume in-person Mass starting June 13, thought not all churches may open at that time. Some parishes, including St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Los Banos, announced they will resume Mass this weekend.

The announcement, made Thursday, also included new options for church goers, including drive-in confessions and services, and celebrating Mass outside.

Shaver Lake reopens, cancels 4th of July fireworks

Shaver Lake will begin a limited reopening on Saturday, according to Southern California Edison, which operates the lake.

That includes the lake, its shoreline, boat slips, marinas, day-use areas and adjacent trails, along with area parking lots. Camp Edison remains closed.

This comes as the Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau announced it has canceled its Independence Day Celebration for 2020. The event was scheduled for July 3 with a boat parade and fireworks show.

“We’ve held on for as long as possible and crossed many thresholds to keep the 2020 dream alive,” the bureau posted on Facebook. “In canceling, we are respecting all organizations and individuals that have continually kept this event safe for families and clear of calamity every year.”

Bass Lake canceled it annual Fourth of July fireworks show last week.

This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 8:22 AM.