Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus.   For a rundown of all of our updates, click here. Stay safe, stay at a good social distance. Thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs. For ways to keep this website going (and free!), click here.

As of 3 pm Friday, officials have confirmed:

• 8,777 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.  474 people have been reported positive in the last 48 hours.
• 355 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus. This number includes the reported deaths of 10 people in the last 48 hours.

June 5 — #COVID19 in the #CoachellaValley (+ from WEDNESDAY):

2,059 confirmed cases (+182)
76 deaths (+6)

I’ve never seen a surge in new cases as large as this.

451 new cases over the last 7 days, smashing Wednesday’s record of 331. pic.twitter.com/ZZsMqnwVnx

— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) June 5, 2020

64 new cases in Indio over those two days. 58 in Coachella. 21 in Cathedral City.

— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) June 5, 2020

As of 3 pm Friday, San Bernardino County has confirmed:

• 5,930 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.
• 217 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus.

As of 3:40 pm Friday, the State of California has confirmed:

• 125,086 people have official tested positive for COVID-19.
• 4,511 people are confirmed to have died in the state of CA from the coronavirus.

The numbers increase everyday.  They are more than just numbers.  They are people we have lost:

Robin Thayer, 56, a beloved member of Portland, Maine’s deaf community who overcame many health issues throughout her life, died from #coronavirus. She is remembered by her family as a strong and resilient woman whose smile could light up a room.https://t.co/aqnzbV8JJb

— Bruce Bourgoine (@BruceBourgoine) June 5, 2020

Heartbreaking news from Seneca Nation: Diane Kennedy died from #COVID19 at age 71, just days after mother, beloved elder Norma Kennedy, succumbed to disease at age 91. Sister Cindy Mohr is hospitalized with #Coronavirus. #NewYork @seneca_nation @mpapaj https://t.co/TCEH7iJdG6 pic.twitter.com/0WVK8i5fVT

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 5, 2020

Eisenhower Medical Center has seen an increase in coronavirus hospitalizations of people in the community. “The timing lines up with both the easing of restrictions in the area and the recent holiday weekend,” the facility’s public information officer told KESQ. Officials say the hospital has not reached capacity at this time, but they do encourage everyone to continue to follow the safety guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus.

https://www.facebook.com/EisenhowerHealth/photos/a.472279542816640/3343842755660290/?type=3&theater

New cases of COVID-19 are rising faster than ever worldwide, at a rate of more than 100,000 a day over a seven-day average. In April, new cases never topped 100,000 in one day, but since May 21, there have only been less than 100,000 on five days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Newly reported cases reached a high of 130,400 on June 3.

A second California state prison employee in Riverside County has died after testing positive for the COVID-19, officials announced on Thursday. The plant operations employee at Ironwood State Prison in eastern Riverside County died Wednesday.  No additional information was released, citing the family’s privacy.

The state of California announced it will allow schools, bars, campgrounds, day camps, gyms, and even professional sports to begin reopening with modifications starting next Friday.  The state is expected to release guidance on how, exactly, that will work Friday. The rules on schools and day camps will apply statewide. But only counties that have met certain thresholds on the number of cases, testing and preparedness will be allowed to start reopening the other sectors. Nail salons are not among those able to reopen.

Mexico is opening up its economy and many health officials are worried it’s too early. With many hospitals around Mexico City operating at full capacity, health officials aren’t sure if facilities and workers can keep up with those who are getting sick and need treatment. “I’m concerned about burnout,” a doctor told the New York Times. “The critical care nurses, the doctors, everybody is getting tired, and some people get sick because they are tired and don’t follow the protocol very well.”

President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. has already produced 2 million coronavirus vaccine doses that are “ready to go” once scientists figure out whether it is safe and effective.  When asked about that, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci,  declined to comment on Trump’s comments later Friday, saying, “I didn’t hear him say that.”

The U.S. economy gained 2.5 million jobs in May, with the unemployment rate dropping to 13.3 percent. That’s down from 14.7 percent in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Finally…

https://twitter.com/buitengebieden_/status/1268307605895561216

That’s all for this evening. Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay home.

Thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.

These are stressful times for all of us. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and our desert community stronger. This link has some resources to help with coping and also numbers to call or text if you, or someone you know, feels overwhelmed.

Please, take care of yourself and each other. You are important. You are valued. You are loved. ??

Anything we missed? Let us know about it.