Coronavirus update: Fresno councilmember’s son infected; Newsom orders bars closed

Fresno County had its worst one-day spike in confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, an indication of the pandemic’s vast spread since the state began reopening businesses to the public.

In fact, in the month since the city of Fresno ended its shelter-in-place orders, Fresno County’s coronavirus-related death total and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have each almost tripled.

Nearly as many people have been hospitalized by the coronavirus in that time than were registered in the county during the first three months of the pandemic, when the city of Fresno’s shelter in place was enforced. Last week, the number of hospitalization rose by 61%, according to Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s interim health officer.

Cases, deaths across the Valley

As of Sunday, 11,791 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed across the central San Joaquin Valley. The six counties are averaging nearly 300 new cases each day.

On Monday, Tulare County reported an additional 167 confirmed cases, and two deaths since its update on Friday. The county has now seen 3,872 positive cases of the coronavirus.

It still trails Fresno County in the number of confirmed cases. Fresno County continues to lead the region, with 4,474 through Saturday.

A total of 237 people have died of coronavirus-related illness across the region. Three deaths were confirmed in Kings County over the weekend, including a third at Avenal State Prison.

The two deaths reported in Tulare County on Monday bringthe total dead in the county to 124. That’s more than the remaining five counties in the region combined.

Changes at city hall after council president’s son tests positive

Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias announced on Monday that his young son tested positive for COVID-19. He awaiting his own test results, prompting this week’s council meeting to revert to online.

Arias was notified Friday evening that his son Diego, 8, tested positive after a visit to his pediatrician earlier in the week for coronavirus symptoms. Diego had a fever, body aches and headaches. Arias said he also was tested and expects to receive his results Tuesday.

Diego had not been inside City Hall since the pandemic arrive to Fresno, but because of Arias’ potential exposure the building was deeply cleaned over the weekend. Arias also notified everyone he’d recently seen in-person about the potential exposure. Arias canceled any in-person city business or travel until further notice.

Fresno County gets a third high-volume test site

A third coronavirus testing center will begin seeing patients in west Fresno this week, providing another option for people in an area described as largely underserved with medical resources compared with other parts of the county.

OptumServe, a contractor with the state, will operate the test site in the West Fresno Regional Center at 142 E. California Ave., about a block west of Edison High School. The site can collect nasal swabs from more than 130 people a day.

People can register online for an appointment at any of the OptumServe sites at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. An appointment is necessary to get tested. The tests are available at no cost to the individual.

Porterville court closed after employee tests positive

The Tulare County Superior Court on Monday, announced the closure of the South County Justice Center in Porterville.

An employee at the center tested positive for COVID-19 and the building is closed deep cleaning and sanitization. Individuals with hearing dates scheduled on Monday will be notified of a new hearing date.

The court is working with the Tulare County Department of Health and Human Services to assess the situation before determining when the court may safely re-open.

Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties bars ordered to close (again)

On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered bars to close in seven California counties — including three in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Bars in Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties were ordered to close again amid a coronavirus flare-up. Closures also are required in San Joaquin, Kern, Imperial and Los Angeles counties. Newsom recommended, but did not require, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus and Ventura counties to close their bars.

The closures were required in counties that have been on the state’s COVID-19 watchlist for more than two weeks.

The state, in guidance relayed to the counties, said bars were singled out because of the “degree of social mixing within individuals and groups” as well as the time people spend there. “Further, alcohol consumption slows brain activity, reduces inhibition, and impairs judgment, factors which contribute to reduced compliance” with social distancing, face mask and other recommended prevention measures.

Lewis Everk, who owns Vyxn, a restaurant and lounge in Fresno, said he didn’t think the spike in coronavirus cases can be attributed solely to bars.

“Bars are the scapegoat on this one,” he said. “I agree that more are testing positive and it’s our responsibility to do what we can as business owners to mitigate the chances but the truth (is) people make their own decisions on what they are comfortable with.”

He said businesses can provide all the hand sanitizer and masks they can get their hands on, but it’s up to the customers to take them.

“If customers don’t want to, we can’t force them.”

Free pizza for blood donors

Me-n-Ed’s Pizzeria has partnered with the Central California Blood Center to help drive needed donations.

Each Tuesday through July 31, the first 50 blood donors at the Central California Blood Center’s Herndon Donor Center and the first 25 blood donors at the Visalia Donor Center will receive a coupon for a one-topping personal pizza.

The current demand for blood is high because many of the center’s blood drives were postponed and many elective surgeries have finally resumed following a hiatus due to the coronavirus.

“The need for blood donors is constant, so we ask people to make it habit. Only now, the need is even greater with such a backlog of surgeries and even those more urgent needs that have been delayed because of COVID,” said Christopher Staub, CEO of the Central California Blood Center.

The center reminds donors that giving blood is safe. There are no mass gatherings. Donations are done in a quick one-on-one process; 30 minutes in most cases, Staub said.

This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 8:46 AM.