Coronavirus update: County deaths at 711; no fines for New Year party-goers in Fresno
Fresno city officials were prepared to target New Year’s Eve party throwers who violated stay-at-home orders, part of a stepped-up bid to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
But on Saturday — a day after Fresno County reported more than five dozen additional deaths related to the pandemic — the City Attorney’s Office confirmed that no fines had been handed out on New Year’s Eve or Day.
The City Council voted 5-2 to levy fines of $1,000 for a first offense by anyone hosting such an event, and fines could go as high as $10,000 for a repeat violator.
City Attorney Doug Sloan warned that area hospitals are overwhelmed with virus patients and said code enforcement officers would enforce the city’s order.
Council Member Miguel Arias said underground parties have recently been staged in the city.
The emergency order was issued against a backdrop of more than 65,000 COVID-19 cases in Fresno County since the pandemic began. The number could be higher because of reporting delays because over the holiday season.
The City Attorney’s Office said code-enforcement officers could still levy fines if they acquire the right amount of evidence of a gathering.
Clovis schools postpone return to campus for many students
Clovis Unified School District has delayed the return to in-person learning of many older students who were scheduled to come back to campuses next week, the district announced Thursday.
In a message posted online, Superintendent Eimear O’Farrell said new guidance from the health department triggered the change.
“As a result, following the governor’s announcement Dec. 30 for his proposed safe return to schools and today’s new guidance from local health officials that Fresno County schools should delay for two weeks the addition of any new in-person instruction, the below plan is in place for in-person instruction immediately following Winter Break,” O’Farrell said.
Fresno County reports 65 more COVID-related deaths
Fresno County has lost 65 more lives to the coronavirus, with the latest update posted Friday showing new totals of 711 deaths and 66,442 infections since the pandemic broke out locally in March.
In addition to the updated fatality count, the county reported a daily increase of 1,042 in positive results for COVID-19.
The deaths are the second most reported in a daily update, but they were the first since a record 89 were posted Dec. 22. The county typically updates deaths only on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19-related complications increased by four to 606. Those considered recovered remained at 26,742.
Kings County: 223 new daily cases, 9,642 total; no new deaths, 95 total; three more recovered, 5,486 total. Cases in state prison facilities in Avenal and Corcoran, tracked separately, rose by 57 to 6,752, with deaths remaining at 15 and those considered recovered at 4,545.
This story was originally published January 1, 2021 at 8:53 AM.