Coronavirus update: Camp Edison reopening set; Sequoia/Kings Canyon plans Phase 2
The central San Joaquin Valley reported close to 400 new coronavirus cases — and three more related deaths — in updates on Thursday.
At 387, it was actually the fewest number of new positive cases reported in a day across the six counties this week. Nearly 550 cases were reported on Tuesday.
The majority of cases continue to be seen in Fresno County (now topping 4,000), Kings (2,284) and Tulare, which has 3,705 cases as of its update Friday.
Mariposa County has the lowest number of positive cases with 22.
Two hundred and thirty-one people in the Valley have died of the coronavirus, including another three reported in Tulare County on Friday. Tulare County has now seen 122 deaths; Fresno County 71; Kings County 21; Merced County 11; Madera County has had five deaths and Mariposa County has had one.
Hospitalizations in Fresno County rose 30% in a week
The steady increase in the number of coronavirus patients sick enough to be admitted the hospital is a concern to Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s interim medical officer. Coupled with a rising percentage of tests coming back as positive for the infection, an increase in hospitalizations has the potential to trigger a rollback of businesses being allowed to reopen.
The number of people hospitalized for coronavirus in the central San Joaquin Valley climbed about 20% in the past seven days, and almost 60% over the past two weeks.
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Fresno County reached another high-water mark on Wednesday, up almost 30% over the previous week. Hospitals were treating 93 confirmed coronavirus victims, including 22 intensive-care patients. There were another 46 suspected COVID-19 cases.
Across the six counties, 226 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses were being treated in hospitals as of Wednesday, according to the most recent data available from the state Department of Public Health. That’s almost eight times as many as required hospitalization on April 1.
Council member, County at odds over COVID-19 info
Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez has asked the city attorney to draft a formal request for information from Fresno County about efforts surrounding the coronavirus, saying the county has not been forthcoming.
Chavez is interested in the county’s plan for the $81.5 million it got in COVID-19 relief. The city of Fresno rolled out a potential plan for spending the $92.8 million it received and Chavez wants to make sure city and county spending for the coronavirus isn’t overlapping.
Chavez said he also wants the county to release more detailed demographics on the people who have tested positive for COVID-19, including their occupations, home ZIP codes and places they are suspected to have contracted the virus.
Shaver Lake’s Camp Edison reopens July 1
Camp Edison will begin a partial reopening of its campsites starting July 1, according to Southern California Edison, which operates the 252 overnight camp sites at Shaver Lake.
Overnight campsites will be available to visitors with recreational vehicles; tent camping will not be allowed.
The campsites will be spaced apart to allow safe physical distancing and be limited to eight people per site. All campers must stay in a RV equipped with restroom facilities. Large group campsites and picnic areas are closed.
Visitors are required to comply with Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including physical distancing and wearing face coverings when near others.
Shaver Lake reopened to the public June 6. The lake, its shoreline, boat slips, marinas, day-use areas and adjacent trails are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. along with area parking lots — though the main lot used for day parking is limited to 50% capacity.
The lot next to the boat launch facility will remain at full capacity.
Second phase reopening at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are increasing recreational access to include three campgrounds and limited concession services starting Monday, July 6.
Potwisha, Lodgepole and Sunset campgrounds will be open, with reservations available at www.recreation.gov starting 7 a.m. Monday, June 29. Reservations will run through the summer.
No first-come, first-served camping will be available, though more campgrounds are expected to be added as conditions allow.
Also open at the parks:
- Entrance stations for distribution of the park newspaper and map.
- Roads and parking lots throughout both parks.
- Trails in developed areas and designated wilderness; though if a trail is congested, officials suggest visiting another location with fewer people.
- Overnight wilderness access, with reservations No walk-up permits will be available. No wilderness permit stations will be open. Bear canister rentals may not be available in the parks but continue to be required in many areas.
- Restrooms and picnic areas.Limited overnight lodging, markets, to-go food and beverage services and gift shops operated by the concessioner, Delaware North.
- Guided horseback rides at Cedar Grove and Grant Grove operated by the concessioner, Cedar Grove Pack Station.
Some facilities will remain closed, including visitor center exhibits and films, bookstores, ranger stations, wilderness permit stations, dine-in restaurants and public showers and laundry.
“Our intention is to continue to increase access safely while maintaining flexibility to adjust operations as conditions change,” acting Superintendent Lee Taylor said in a release announcing the openings. “We’ve implemented a range of mitigation actions based on CDC guidance, but we also rely on visitors to recreate responsibly by dispersing and wearing face coverings at popular sites where social distancing cannot be maintained.”
Fresno-area families struggle to help elders
There is a little-discussed, but too-common challenge in homes across the nation during the coronavirus pandemic: caring for vulnerable elderly family members at home as coronavirus cases climb.
The virus has swept through nursing homes, forcing many families to bring their loved one back home. But as the COVID-19 threat grows, older Americans — and the resources they rely on — face economic challenges that make surviving the pandemic more difficult, families and workers say.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 8:47 AM.