Fresno County COVID-19 cases climb near 12,000 as state leaders mull another shutdown
Fresno County reported 344 new cases of the coronavirus and no new deaths on Thursday, according to numbers from the state Department of Health.
The new cases bring Fresno County’s total to 11,756 positive cases and 104 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 2,706 people have recovered after testing positive.
Fresno County is announcing new totals twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
More than 425,600 Californians have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began, according to the latest state public health data released Thursday morning, compared to over 409,000 in New York.
Shelter-in-place again?
As the coronavirus surges through California, which now has the highest number of cases in the country, state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, said on Thursday it’s time for most counties in the Golden State to return to a strict stay-at-home order.
“It’s clear that we have lost control of the coronavirus fight,” Glazer said during a Zoom press conference. “And you don’t have to look very far to see it in the numbers.”
Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mask mandate ordered on June 18, and the decision on July 13 to close bars and indoor dining, California reported a record-high 12,807 cases on Wednesday. The state on Wednesday surpassed the caseload in New York, once the epicenter of the pandemic, and those in countries like Iran and Italy, which were also rocked by the virus in the spring.
In a letter to Newsom following his July decision, state Sen. Shannon Grove, the Republican leader from Bakersfield, said new restrictions could kill small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Grove wrote. “But now, far too many of these businesses are at risk of closing for good because of the government induced shutdown.”
Valley counties
Tulare County added 273 cases Thursday for a total of 7,876 cases of the virus. The county had no new deaths and stands at 168 total.
Merced County climbed over the 3,000-mark on Thursday after adding 129 cases for a total of 3,123 through Thursday. Another person died, raising the number of fatal cases to 27.
Madera County added two new fatal cases to increase the total tally to 18. Another 69 new cases brings the county total to 1,599 cases.
Mariposa County added three new cases to reach its total of 44 cases and one death.
Kings County Added 96 cases Thursday for a total of 3,696 cases. The county reported three more deaths Wednesday but none on Thursday for a total of 45.
Free COVID-19 testing in Fresno
United Health Centers, Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria and the Sikh Institute of Fresno have partnered to provide free coronavirus testing on Friday.
The testing will be done drive-up only, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sikh Institute, 4827 N. Parkway Drive. Appointments can be scheduled online at unitedhealthcenters.org or by phone at 800-492-4227.
Soria will also provide free facemasks on a first-come first-served basis.
Town Hall with Arambula
Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, will host a town hall-style meeting on Facebook at 9 a.m. Friday, according to a news release.
The discussion will focus its attention on the need for more actions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Fresno County, the release said. Essential workers, especially in rural areas, are facing a health crisis.
“As a doctor and public servant, I cannot stand by and see people suffering or dying while Fresno County supervisors don’t do everything in their power to combat this,” Arambula said in a statement. “We must slow the spread and provide services that bring this fire under control. If we work together, we can battle this virus with a stronger force and conviction and, ultimately, save lives.”
Arambula confronted the supervisors last week.
The town hall will be on Arambula’s Facebook page: facebook.com/AssemblymemberDrJoaquinArambula
The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 4:03 PM.
