Here are the latest updates on coronavirus and how local governments are responding to the illness, with a focus on California for Wednesday, April 22.
CALIFORNIA STATUS UPDATE
The California Department of Public Health reports:
- Confirmed cases: 35,396
- 1,354 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
- Tracy high school seniors could have graduation ceremony in August: In a notice to students and families, Brian Stephens, Superintendent for Tracy Unified School District, said the district is looking into plans for an in-person graduation ceremony in the first week of August. This depends on whether coronavirus restrictions allow for it. If coronavirus restrictions are in place on July 1, the district will look toward an alternative plan.
- US judge denies bid to open California churches in pandemic: A federal judge on Wednesday says he will deny a bid by three Southern California churches to hold in-person church services during the pandemic. He says government's emergency powers trump what in normal times would be fundamental constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal in Los Angeles said he will reject the temporary restraining order the churches sought against Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials. They argued that the state's stay-at-home orders violate the First Amendment right to freedom of religion and assembly. An attorney for the churches says it is not yet clear if or when the churches will appeal.
- Sacramento Pride postponed indefinitely: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center says Sacramento Pride, along with other fundraising events and the annual queer youth prom are not possible this year and pose too much risk to public health and safety due to the coronavirus pandemic. “This was not an easy decision, as events like Pride and Q-Prom provide safe and affirming spaces that demonstrate the value of inclusion and celebrate progress toward equity and social justice. Community’s health is of paramount importance however and we could not move forward with events that could pose a risk to tens of thousands of people, especially for the most marginalized in our community including queer and transgender Black folks, LGBTQ elders, those living with HIV, cancer, or immunodeficiencies who are at increased risk,” said David Heitstuman, CEO of the Center. The center is still looking for ways that will let them celebrate Pride remotely, and asks people to "stay tuned" for a virtual Global Pride on June 27.
- Stanislaus County confirms 5th coronavirus death: A woman with underlying medical conditions died to the coronavirus, Stanislaus County officials confirmed. She is the fifth person in the county to pass away from the virus. Officials haven't shared any additional details on the case. The death comes at time when some leaders are looking to reopening some activities in the county. “Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the families and friends who have lost a loved one,” says Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “As we look to start expanding activities in the next few weeks, we need to ensure that we continue to protect our most vulnerable, those who are at higher risk for severe disease if they become ill with COVID-19.”
- Online 'scams' increase amid pandemic, FBI says: In a news release from the FBI, officials said there's been an increase in reported online extortion scams amid the coronavirus pandemic and current stay at home orders. Officials say these scams vary, but there are ways to protect yourself. These tips include no opening email from unknown people, monitoring bank accounts, not storing sensitive photos online or on your phone, using strong passwords, and never providing personal information via email, among other efforts. Victims can file online at ww.ic3.gov.
- California to resume scheduled surgeries amid outbreak: California hospitals will resume scheduled surgeries during the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement on Wednesday. He called it the first significant change to the state's stay-at-home order that has been in place for more than a month. The change covers surgeries that are not emergencies. Newsom said examples include procedures for tumors, heart valves and chronic disease. The change does not include purely cosmetic surgeries. Newsom said state officials will be monitoring hospitals closely to make sure they are not overwhelmed. If there is a surge of coronavirus cases, the scheduled surgery ban could be put back in place
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Sacramento County is up to 971 with 36 deaths attributed to the disease, according to the public health department. Wednesday’s numbers reflect an increase of 17 cases and one additional death. 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 (422) are people between the ages of 18 and 49. The latest numbers included just one person in this age group.
- Three people who died in their Santa Clara County homes in February and early March tested positive for COVID-19, proving that the virus was present weeks before the country's first coronavirus-related death. The Santa Clara County Public Health Office said on Tuesday that two people died inside of their homes when very little testing was available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which set testing criteria to only those who had recently traveled. One of the people died on Feb. 6, 2020, and the second person died on Feb. 17, 2020. A third person who tested positive for the virus died on March 6, 2020, just three days before what was initially thought to be the United States' first death.
- California recommends virus tests for some with no symptoms: New testing guidelines from the California Department of Public Health recommend testing people in high-risk settings even if they don't have symptoms. The new guidelines are aimed at health care workers, prisoners, and the homeless. The California Department of Public Health released the testing guidelines in a memo dated Sunday that was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Recent outbreaks have hit two California homeless shelters in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Most of the people infected in the San Francisco shelter did not have symptoms. California is now testing an average of 14,500 people per day.
- CHP denying permits for events at State Capitol state facilities amid pandemic: A day after hundreds of protesters gathered in Sacramento to protest stay at home orders, the California Highway Patrol has come out saying they'll be denying permit requests for events or activities at all state facilities. The policy will remain until public health officials say it is safe to gather again. “In the interest of public safety and the health of all Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately the California Highway Patrol will deny any permit requests for events or activities at all state facilities, to include the State Capitol, until public health officials have determined it is safe to gather again,” CHP said in a statement to ABC10.
- Sacramento County Fair canceled: The Sacramento County Fair has canceled its 2020 fair. The fair was scheduled to happen in late May, however, the coronavirus pandemic has changed those plans. Late last month, fair executive director Pamela Fyock was hopeful that the fair could still go on because of the hundreds of students with FFA and 4-H projects that depended on the livestock show and auction. The fair will be holding an online virtual auction to support 4-H, FFA, and independent exhibitors; it's planned for May 22 and May 23, depending on the animal.
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 store or pharmacy.
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