Fresno’s top health official says no Labor Day parties. ‘I know that’s hard to hear’
As Fresno County heads into another three-day weekend, its top health official says residents need to be mindful about family gatherings amid the coronavirus.
It was following Memorial Day in May that Fresno County saw its last surge in COVID-19 cases, according to Rais Vohra, the county interim health officer.
Vohra warned residents not to repeat the mistakes this Labor Day weekend.
“Any nonessential gatherings should be canceled. I know that’s hard to hear,” he said. “Please be mindful about that. Labor Day is not a time to take a holiday from safety.”
The surge was reflected in August, which was the deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic for Fresno County and the central San Joaquin Valley, according to health officials. There were 152 deaths in August in Fresno County and 315 in the six-county region. The second most was in July, which saw 65 and 206, respectively.
Vohra said the surge after Memorial Day first appeared as many new positive cases and weeks later were reflected in a rise in deaths in July and August.
Fresno County has more than 25,000 positive cases through Sept. 1. On Memorial Day, May 25, Fresno County had totals of 1,482 cases and 22 deaths.
As many gathering places were not open to the public, small gatherings in backyards and homes were likely the cause of the surge, according to Vohra. That could spell trouble again this weekend.
Residents tend to be careful wearing masks and remaining socially distant at work or out shopping, Vohra said.
“We don’t do well around family and neighbors,” he said. “I wish people would mask up. That’s a sign of love, not a sign of distance.”
