Here are the latest updates on coronavirus and how local governments are responding to the illness, with a focus on California for April 17, 2020.
CALIFORNIA STATUS UPDATE
The California Department of Public Health reports:
- Confirmed cases: 27,528
- 985 deaths
- 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
- Executive order on foster youth services: Gov. Newsom signed an order allowing temporary waiver to certain foster youth programs. It lets county child welfare agencies and probation departments do what they need by alternate means, as opposed to face-to-face interactions. It also includes a 60-day waiver that gives flexibility in emergency foster youth placement and allows verification of foster care status for youth and wards of juvenile court who have pending cases.
- Business, labor, politics have role in California task force: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is turning to the leaders of some of the country's biggest companies, labor unions and political allies for help as he confronts the economic devastation brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Newsom announced on Friday the Task Force of Business and Jobs Recovery. Some observers are surprised Newsom appointed Tom Steyer, a billionaire philanthropist and former Democratic presidential contender, to lead the task force. He'll share duties with Newsom's chief of staff. The creation of the task force comes after 3.1 million of California's nearly 40 million residents have filed for unemployment.
- California tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths as economy tumbles: California surpassed 1,000 deaths from the coronavirus as the pandemic pushed the state into recession. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday named a task force of former governors, billionaires and corporate leaders to help the state recover economically after he begins easing restrictions that have shuttered many businesses. The state has recorded 1,021 deaths and had its highest total in one day, hitting 95 deaths Thursday, well above the previous high of 71. Newsom says the state is approaching a landmark it hoped it would never see. He says efforts are being made to increase testing.
- Sacramento County coronavirus update: The Sacramento COVID-19 Homeless Response Team has placed 32 households into motels and three people in trailers, with two additional persons pending for a trailer. Officials say four referrals were declined and 23 people were found ineligible. In regard to resources and support, 40 washing stations and 40 toilets are also now at 27 camps. Officials have been able to deliver 400 meals daily and have 20 UC Davis medical students providing medical screenings.
- New coronavirus testing site heading to Stanislaus County: On April 20, people in Stanislaus County will be able to screen and make an appointment for coronavirus testing online at the Salida Library. The program is part of a partnership with Verily and will initially focus on high-risk populations. “We have wanted to offer more COVID-19 testing opportunities to people at risk for severe disease within Stanislaus County, but limited testing supplies made this a challenge,” said Stanislaus County Public Health Officer Dr. Julie Vaishampayan.“Our partnership with Verily will help bring the resources and tools to Stanislaus County to offer COVID-19 testing without over loading the healthcare system.” To be eligible, you have to be 18 years or older, live in the county, and be willing to electronically sign authorization and consent forms. Once you get screened, you'll have your eligibility determined and be provided a testing location appointment if you qualify.
- California's attorney general defends virus shutdowns: California's top law enforcement official says that what would normally be broad constitutional protections for freedoms of assembly, religion or buying guns have their limits when they endanger others during the coronavirus pandemic. The state has been sued over all three shutdown orders as government officials pick winners and losers in which businesses and activities can continue and which must be curtailed to contain spread of the virus. But Attorney General Xavier Becerra says officials have broad authority to do what they think is necessary to slow the spread, even if that trumps normal fundamental freedoms.
- California's unemployment rate soars, but worst yet to come: California has lost 100,000 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of nonessential businesses. A new report from the California Employment Development Department shows California's unemployment rate is 5.3% in March. But the numbers are just a glimpse of what is to come. The job losses are based on a survey taken the week that included March 12. Most of the state's job losses came after that date. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a mandatory stay-at-home order on March 19. California had job losses in six of the state's 11 industry sectors. The biggest losses were in the leisure and hospitality industry.
- Marriage ceremonies and licenses will begin again, on a limited basis, in Yolo County beginning on Monday, April 20. “Working closely with other county departments our office has developed a new marriage license process that will allow us to re-establish this service to Yolo County residents at a basic level while adhering to physical distance guidelines,” said county assessor, Jesse Salinas in a press release. The office decided to carefully resume issuing licenses and holding ceremonies after hearing stories of couples in need of the document for health coverage purposes, among other reasons.
- Sacramento County health officials report 896 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county with the total deaths holding steady at 32. Friday's numbers reflect an increase of just 17 new cases, according to the county health department. 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 (395) are people between the ages of 18 and 49. Seven of the 17 new cases are from this age group.
- California governor expects $7 billion in virus spending: California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to spend up to $7 billion this year battling the coronavirus and the economic disruption it has caused. Officials at the state Department of Finance updated state lawmakers on Thursday. It was the first legislative hearing since lawmakers recessed on March 16. Most lawmakers participated via video conference. Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek warned lawmakers the country in a recession. He said lawmakers should prepare for a significant decline in revenue. It's unclear how Newsom wants to spend the money. He is scheduled to provide more details next month when he updates his budget proposal.
- 10 deaths hit care home, governor warns of virus 'hot spots': Authorities are considering evacuating residents from a California nursing home after 156 people tested positive for the coronavirus and 10 people died. It's the largest publicly reported outbreak at a California nursing home so far. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday called the Central Valley nursing home one of the state's virus "hot spots." His warning came as California begins to think about how it can ease stay-at-home orders. The Redwood Springs Healthcare Center in Visalia is the latest skilled nursing facility to see an outbreak. Such sites are vulnerable to the virus because many residents are elderly with health conditions and they live in close proximity to each other.
- Historic number on unemployment claims processed in California: The California Employment Development Department has processed 660,966 unemployment claims in the past week. It's part of a four-week total of 2.7 million processed claims, which is the highest one-month total since 275,735 claims were processed in January 2010. In a four week period, EDD has paid out $975 million in benefits and recently started adding the $600 in federal funds. “These are historic times at the EDD, dramatically impacting our families, friends, neighbors, and communities,” said EDD Director Sharon Hilliard. “Employees are rallying from throughout other EDD programs and state government to help us process this record claim load and get money into the hands of those in need just as quickly as possible. For most Californians, that continues to be about three weeks after applying for benefits.” New features coming to EDD include an additional call center and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.
- California orders 2-week sick leave for food chain workers: Workers who grow, pick, pack, deliver, cook, serve, and sell food are being allowed two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave related to the coronavirus. The new order was announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday and adds to the benefits the workers have. Newsom hopes the new order will ease some anxiety for farmworkers, fast food workers, and delivery drivers. "We don't want you going to work if you're sick, and we want to make sure that you know, that if you're sick, it's OK to acknowledge it. And, it's OK to let your employer know and still know that you're going to get a supplemental paycheck for a minimum of two weeks," said Newsom.
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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