Coronavirus updates: Dr. Fauci warns of trouble in Valley; Deaths in the region top 500
California reported 202 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday, the second-most of any day since the start of the pandemic. The state set a record last Friday with 219 COVID-19 fatalities reported.
For a third consecutive day, the six-county region tallied at least a dozen deaths, according to reports from county health departments. Merced County reported nine people died of the coronavirus on Wednesday and Madera County reported four related deaths.
Since March, 60 people have died of the coronavirus in Merced County.
Madera County, which reported the first death in the region, has now seen 36 people die.
Tulare County, which reported three new deaths in an update Thursday, has seen 196 people die since the pandemic began, including more than a dozen this week.
In Fresno County, 157 people have died. The county reported 19 deaths in its Tuesday update.
The region has now seen more than 37,000 positive cases of coronavirus, including 256 new cases reported by Tulare County on Thursday. On average, there are 767 new cases in the region each day, looking at statistics from the past two weeks. That number dropped from a high average of 814 cases. Of the positive cases more than 17,000 are considered active. More than 19,000 people have recovered.
Fauci warns of rising positivity rates in Valley
Dr. Anthony Fauci warns of a surge of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the Central Valley.
In an interview with CNN on Thursday, the nation’s top infectious disease expert was asked about the Central Valley, which, along with cities like Chicago, Portland and Washington D.C. has seen an increase in the percentage of coronvirus cases that are coming back positive.
“It’s a clear indication that you are getting an uptick in cases,” Fauci said.
“Inevitably, as we’ve seen in the Southern states, it leads to surges. And then you get hospitalizations and then you get deaths.”
In general, the state is seeing declines in positivity rates. About 6 percent of coronavirus tests came back positive in the past week, down from an 8 percent peak, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The Central Valley, including Fresno, Visalia and Merced counties, has emerged as the state’s most concerning hot spot. Fresno County’s positivity rate is 13 percent over the seven-day period ending last week, according to the state records. In Tulare County, the rate in nearly 20 percent.
Last week, Newsom announced he would send several “strike teams” to the region to help.
For his part, Fauci said that simple preventives like wearing masks and adhering to social distancing, can prevent an uptick from becoming a surge.
“Now is the time to accelerate the fundamental preventive measures that we all talk about.”
Mom of Clovis teenager with COVID-19 recounts ordeal
Frankie Quintana has been at Valley Children’s Hospital since July 28, when the 16-year-old Clovis High School wrestler was admitted for what began as a runny nose and other mild flu symptoms, but quickly escalated into a raging, 105-degree fever and fits of violent coughing that, at first, his mother and later medical professionals struggled to contain.
His condition has improved to the point where doctors believe he can soon leave the intensive care unit.
His mother, Joanique Quintana, has left her son’s hospital room once over the past nine days, and that was only because doctors needed the room sterile to install a PICC line. Otherwise, she’s been at Frankie’s bedside 24-7. She sleeps inside the room “on a nice lovely couch.”
Tower District business posts signs mocking coronavirus, Newsom
Tim Ferrigan, owner of Detention Billiards in Fresno’s Tower District, said he used some sarcasm and humor when he wrote a few messages on chalkboards and prominently displayed them at the front of his pool hall. The three signs take aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s efforts to curb the pandemic.
Ferrigan said his business has complied with local and state mandates on when it could operate. He’s lost at least 25 percent of his annual income due to the shutdown and his staff of nine people have been out of work for the majority of the time since March.
“When you look at the stats — the real stats — you can talk all day about why (the pandemic) is being blown way out of proportion,” Ferrigan said. “But this is an election year. We all know this is a political virus.
“The whole thing, I think is ludicrous.”
City cites 22 businesses for being open
From March 24 to July 22, the city of Fresno issued $1,000 tickets to 22 businesses that were open and operating before they were officially allowed, according to records.
Five of those got a second ticket, which is a $5,000 fine. Those included The Spot Smoke Shop, Crazy Bernie’s Furniture, The Waffle Shop, Club Pilates and Warrior Fitness.
The owner of Warrior Fitness, a north Fresno gym, even tried to recruit people who “would be willing to act as look outs (sic) for any possible city official approaching the building.”
Code enforcement officers also wrote $250 citations to nine businesses for not social distancing between April 10 and July 20 Doghouse Grill, Clawson Motorsports, the WinCo on Shaw Avenue, Bobby Salazar’s Taqueria in the Tower District, am-pm on Nees Avenue, Fit Republic on First Street, Popeyes on Blackstone Avenue and two Walmarts — the locations on Shaw Avenue and Ingram Avenue.
Tween clothing store closes Fresno-area locations
Another clothing store is closing its Fresno-area locations.
Justice, the tween clothing retailer, will close its River Park location and its store at the Tulare Outlets.
The store’s parent company, Ascena Retail Group, filed for bankruptcy last month, as The Bee reported July 23. Employees are telling customers the River Park store will close Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Also closing soon in River Park is the Sur La Table store. Destination Maternity, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, YOSHINO restaurant and Planet Hair closed earlier this year, the latter two were part of the natural churn of leases expiring. The pandemic has hit retailers across the city hard, forcing closures of Pier 1, the northwest Fresno Kirklands, Tuesday Morning stores in Fresno and Visalia.
Big Fresno Fair releases more details on 2020 event
Last month, the Big Fresno Fair announced plans to reinvent itself during the pandemic with a series of virtual and drive-thru experiences.
Included in the plans are a virtual livestock auction. The deadline for students to submit livestock entries for market animals is Aug. 15. The pygmy goat show and the rabbit show will be postponed in 2020. The full Livestock Exhibitor Handbook can be seen online.
For horse racing fans, the fair’s Satellite Wager facility, The Starting Gate, is open in a new outdoor location on the first floor of the Tatarian Grandstand.
Up to eight guests will be allowed in the facility at a time to place bets on horse racing. No food, beverages or seating will be available on site. Once guests arrive at the fairgrounds, they can drive up to the grandstand’s south end to park, remaining in their vehicles.
Those who can’t make it to the fairgrounds can bet online at one of several legal wagering sites. Search desktop or mobile apps for: Xpressbet, TVG, Daily Racing Form or TwinSpires.
More details and a step-by-step guide on how to place bets online can be found on the fair’s website. Daily racing forms and all other horse racing inquiries can be made by phone at 559-994-3105.
This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 9:08 AM.