SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Here are the latest updates on coronavirus and how local governments are responding to the illness, with a focus on California for Monday, April 13.
CALIFORNIA STATUS UPDATE
The California Department of Public Health reports:
- Confirmed cases: 22,348 (As of April 13).
- 687 deaths (including one non-California resident)
- 22 state and county labs processing tests for COVID-19.
- Click here for complete information on coronavirus, unemployment, and more from the state of California.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- California pastors file lawsuit against Gov. Newsom: A group of pastors have filed a lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom alleging that he criminalized the free exercise of religion. “Criminalizing individual participation at a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other house of worship clearly violates the First Amendment,” said Harmeet K. Dhillon, Chief Executive Officer for the Center for American Liberty. “The state and localities have granted sweeping exceptions to the shutdown orders for favored businesses and professions, while specifically targeting people of faith and decreeing to religious institutions that it is ‘good enough’ that they be allowed to offer streaming video services. The state does not get to dictate the method of worship to the faithful.” Dhillon added, "If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible, socially distanced manner, then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions.”
- Coronavirus in El Dorado County: Officials in El Dorado County have confirmed two additional coronavirus cases since April 10, which brings the county total to 34. Officials said the new cases were reported in El Dorado Hills and Lake Tahoe.
- Stockton Police Department employee tests positive for coronavirus: Stockton Police Department confirmed the first coronavirus case among their employees. In a news release from Stockton police spokesperson Joseph Silva, he identifies the person as a neighborhood services employee who does code enforcement activities, and says that person is now isolated at home and recovering. According to the department, no other personnel from the Neighborhood Services section has experienced symptoms or has been isolated due to to the coronavirus case. The department said the employee had no community exposures for the week prior to becoming symptomatic.
- A nursing home in Yolo County has been hit with an outbreak of coronavirus resulting in one death of a resident. While the name of the nursing home isn't being provided, a press release from the county says there's been 35 confirmed cases (23 residents and 12 staff). To date, Yolo County has had 93 confirmed cases of coronavirus resulting in three deaths.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $42 million effort to build support for foster youth, families. Some of this money will be part of an additional $200 per month for families most at risk. They will also be extending the emancipation process to extend time where people can stay with current caregivers to get the food and support they need. In his next press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Newsom said he'll discuss how California, Washington and Oregon will reopen as a region and what strategies they have in mind to get some back to work. The written statement says that while each state is building a state-specific plan, the three states have agreed to a framework that focuses on them working together, putting their residents’ health first, and having health outcomes and science guiding their decisions.
- California's insurance commissioner has ordered some companies to refund premiums for March and April because of the cronavirus pandemic. Monday's order includes insurance premiums paid for workers compensation, medical malpractice and private and commercial auto policies. Insurance companies set rates based on risk. But risk has changed because of the cronavirus. For auto insurance, fewer cars are on the road and that reduces collisions. Lara said says order will put money back in people's pockets when they need it most. The order could be extended if closures continue. A representative from the American Property Casualty Insurance Insurance Association has not yet responded to Lara's order.
- There are no 732 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sacramento County with 27 deaths confirmed as a result of the disease, according to the department of health. All the deaths, so far, have been from patients who are either 65 years or older and/or those who had underlying health conditions, health officials said. The majority of the cases in the county (311) are people between the ages of 18 and 49.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says it has started to deposit stimulus money into Americans' bank accounts. Now they are working on a way for remaining citizens to track when their payment will arrive. The IRS also plans to mail a letter about your payment within 15 days after the payment has been sent. So if you’re waiting on a physical check and nothing comes, this letter will provide information on how to report failure to receive payment.
- Wineries that want to stay viable and connected to their customers during the coronavirus pandemic are harnessing platforms such as Facebook Live to offer virtual wine experiences. Tasting rooms in California shut down last month after the governor ordered businesses to close to slow the spread of the new virus. At Bouchaine in Napa, a virtual online experience that had been in the planning for months was launched in mid-March. Those who want to take part in the tasting program order a winemaker tasting kit, which is delivered to their home. A couple isolating in their home near Reno, Nevada, said it's been a great distraction.
OUR MISSION: FACTS NOT FEAR
Coronavirus Background
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine; however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
WHY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SO CONCERNED
Some people have compared the low overall death toll to the flu's high annual death toll in the United States as a reason not to be concerned about COVID-19, however, doctors and health officials are concerned for three main reasons:
- Some people have built up immunity to the flu, but few have immunity to COVID-19 version of coronavirus.
- Both the flu and COVID-19 are spread by droplets, but COVID-19 might be spread in the air. Scientists are researching exactly how COVID-19 spreads.
- The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public where social distancing measures would be difficult to maintain, like at a grocery stores or pharmacy.
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