Coronavirus updates: Case rate slows; Fresno launches free grocery program for seniors
Fresno County reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the county total to 27,312 since the pandemic’s outbreak.
The update in new cases on Wednesday was a slight increase from Tuesday’s daily number of 36, but overall the county has been steadily decreasing in daily new infections. This means Fresno County could soon move into California’s red tier, according to the state’s color-coded system, which would allow the reopening of some businesses and, eventually, schools.
The tier system is based on a combination of the rate of daily new cases and the rate of positive results from testing. To move into the red tier, a county must have fewer than seven new cases per day per 100,000 people and have a testing positivity rate of 8% per 100,000 people. Fresno County had a new case rate of 7.8% and a positivity rate of 6.2% as of Wednesday.
Within the central San Joaquin Valley, Fresno Madera, Merced, Tulare, and Kings counties were in the purple stage as of Wednesday. Mariposa County is in the orange stage, just one tier away from the least-restrictive yellow stage.
The county reports coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Fresno launches new grocery program for seniors
Fresno leaders on Wednesday announced a new program for seniors over 65 that provides free groceries through a contactless drive-thru service.
Proposed by Fresno councilmembers Mike Karbassi, Paul Caprioglio, and Luis Chavez, the Senior Aid for Food and Resources program (SAFR) provides eligible seniors who live in the city with a weekly box of groceries as part of an ongoing effort to provide essential resources while reducing exposure to the virus.
“I’m proud to work with great people to create a program to help our seniors through the pandemic,” Karbassi said in a social media post Wednesday. “If you or a loved one is a senior in the city of Fresno here’s a safe way to get a week’s supply of groceries.”
To qualify, an individual must be at least 65 years old and be a resident of Fresno. The program, which is funded through the CARES Act, requires seniors to register beforehand.
The city is partnering with Pardini’s Catering & Banquets to assemble and distribute the grocery boxes that will include a variety of different fruits and vegetables and dairy and meat products. The groceries will vary every week.
Groceries will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no income requirement to participate, and sign-ups will be weekly.
Pick-ups are on Wednesdays at Logan Park at Santa Fe and Barstow avenues in northwest Fresno, on Thursdays at Vinland Park on Gettysburg Avenue near Highway 168 in northeast Fresno, and on Fridays at Senior Citizens Village at 1917 S. Chestnut Ave., near McKinley Avenue in central Fresno.
To sign up, call 559-621-SAFR (7237) or visit the city website here.
Latest San Joaquin Valley coronavirus cases
Valleywide, the state reported 290 new cases on Wednesday, 263 hospitalizations, 871 total deaths, and 47,332 recoveries. Total Valley cases amounted to 63,336.
Madera County: 37 new cases as of Wednesday, 4,267 to date, no additional deaths, 58 to date; 30 hospitalizations; 3,706 people recovered.
Mariposa County: No new cases reported Wednesday, 75 to date; no additional deaths, two to date; one hospitalization; 71 people recovered.
Merced County: 47 new cases as of Wednesday, 8,692 to date; no additional deaths, 131 to date; 16 hospitalizations; 7,846 people recovered.
Tulare County: 125 new cases as of Wednesday, 15,846 to date; two new deaths, 255 to date; 53 hospitalizations; 14,719 people recovered.
Kings County: 19 new cases reported as of Tuesday, 7,144 to date; no additional deaths, 77 to date; 26 hospitalizations; 4683 people recovered.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 5:52 PM.