Coronavirus updates: Over 3 dozen die in Fresno this week; How area barbers, salons reopen
More than three dozen people died from coronavirus in Fresno County this week, according to Fresno County Health Department data.
The county health department recorded 24 new deaths on Friday in its second update for the week, bringing the total number of deaths for the county to 37 this week.
August has been the deadliest month for coronavirus patients since Fresno saw its first COVID-19 case here in March.
Throughout the central San Joaquin Valley, more than 730 residents have died from coronavirus.
The California Department of Public Health on Saturday indicated that Fresno County had 245 new confirmed cases of residents infected with the coronavirus, bringing the county to a cumulative total of 24,612 people who, at some time since March, have contracted the virus.
The number of patients hospitalized fell by 14 to a total of 201.
How Fresno barbers and salons can reopen
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday rolled out on Friday a new, color-coded tiered system for reopening the state’s economy.
For Fresno County and other counties starting in purple Tier 1, it means that many businesses deemed non-essential businesses will remain closed. But the tier also allows for some businesses to be open, or to reopen.
Barber shops and salons in purple counties such as Fresno County will be allowed to operate indoors again on Monday, but nail salons must continue operating outdoors.
Bars and taverns that don’t sell food will remain closed, and restaurants will still not be able to offer dine-in service.
New senior food program
The Fresno City Council this week approved $500,000 in CARES Act funding for a new food box program for older adults who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The pilot program offers about 1,500 food boxes a week for delivery or pick-up, as well as programs that offer COVID-19 protective equipment, according to officials.
The program is done in conjunction with Pardini’s Catering. While feeding needy seniors, the program could help employ 50 to 75 people, according to Karbassi.
To get a delivery or find the location for pickup in Fresno, call 311.
Foster Farms continues operating despite shut-down order
The Merced County Health Department ordered the Foster Farms Livingston Facility to shut down on Wednesday after officials said the company repeatedly failed to comply with COVID-19 regulations to keep employees safe. Eight plant employees died from coronavirus and nearly 350 others tested positive for COVID-19.
But on Thursday, the plant continued to operate, and county officials issued a 48-hour stay following a phone call with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s secretary for food safety.
The decision to delay the shutdown was made by the county health department “in order to facilitate additional resources for COVID testing of plant employees and to ensure humane handling of the flocks at the facility,” according to a statement from a USDA spokesperson to the Bee.
“Immediate closure of the plant would not provide for a humane path forward for hundreds of thousands of live birds and would result in discarding hundreds of tons of food,” the spokesperson said in an email.
Foster Farms officials insist the company has fully complied with COVID-19 guidance.
This story was originally published August 29, 2020 at 8:45 AM.