Coachella Valley coronavirus news and info | Friday, June 19

By
Casey Dolan
-
(?: Sue Farris)

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, Riverside County officials have confirmed:

  • 12,778 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.  311 people have been reported positive in the last 24 hours.
  • 410 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus. This number includes 2 reported death in the last 24 hours.

Here’s the latest from the Coachella Valley:

 

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

  • 8,714 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.
  • 230 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus.

As of 4 pm Friday, the State of California has confirmed:

  • 169,694 people have official tested positive for COVID-19.
  • 5,407 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:

 

The World Health Organization warned on Friday that “the world is in a new and dangerous phase” as the coronavirus pandemic accelerates. There were about 150,000 new cases on reported worldwide on Thursday, the largest rise yet in a single day. Nearly half of the infections were in western hemisphere, with cases surging in the United States, Brazil and across Latin America.

Riverside County is now on a state watch list following a surge in new cases and hospitalizations from the coronavirus. The county made the California Department of Public Health list after a spike in new cases and a higher percentage of positive tests for COVID-19. As of Friday, the county had 103.3 cases per 100,000 residents. The state goal is 100 per 100,000, according to a state database.

LG’s Prime Steakhouse is closing its two Coachella Valley locations until July 3 after an employee tested positive for coronavirus:

Please be advised we will be closed at both locations effective immediately. We take our employees and customer’s health very seriously and we look forward to serving you all again soon.

Posted by LG's Prime Steakhouse LQ on Thursday, June 18, 2020

HARC is conducting an online survey of Coachella Valley residents in order to to provide information to local organizations so they can target and focus their efforts to help people during the coronavirus pandemic.  The survey, in which those taking part are able to stay anonymous, includes COVID-19 symptoms, shelter-in-place and social distancing behaviors, employment and financial needs, mental health, and resources utilized during the pandemic. It takes about 10 minutes and you have the option to win one of four $100 Visa gift cards for taking part. You can take the survey in English here and Spanish here.

AMC Theaters decided on Friday that they will indeed require masks be worn when the chain reopens theaters.  They had announced they wouldn’t be required on Thursday, to avoid what they said was a “political controversy” — because we live in a stupid time when some people think doing a simple act like wearing a mask which has shown over and over to decrease the transmission of a dangerous virus is thought by some to be political and, seriously, don’t be a selfish idiot and just wear a mask already. 

Here’s how states around the country stand on what should be a no-brainer when it comes to requiring masks:

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday to require county officials to mail a ballot to every registered voter for the November election. “No one should have to risk their health and possibly their life to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Assemblyman Marc Berman, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. “In the midst of a deadly health pandemic, giving all California voters the opportunity to vote from the safety of their own home is the responsible thing to do. In-person voting would also still be an option for those looking to cast a ballot.

Major cruise lines have agreed to voluntarily extend a suspension of operations out of U.S. ports until at least Sept. 15, the Cruise Lines International Association announced Friday. “Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations,” CLIA, which represents the largest cruise companies in the world, said in a statement. “It is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States.

For those wishing for the return of sporting events, it might be a while.  The Philadelphia Phillies had an outbreak at their training facility in Florida. The outbreak so far includes five players and three staff members who have tested positive for the virus. No season is happening as of yet anyway, as Owners have been haggling with players over the details of a possible shortened season.

Note: Updates will continue on Monday.  Have a nice weekend and Happy Father’s Day!

Finally…

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.

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