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, and thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.
As of 1 pm Sunday, Riverside County officials have confirmed 1,619 people have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 41 confirmed deaths in the county.
As of 8 am Monday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 887 cases of COVID-19. There has been 31 deaths in San Bernardino County.
As of 10 pm Sunday, there have been 23,300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California. There have been 681 confirmed deaths in the state.
Between Saturday and Sunday, Indio saw an increase of ten confirmed cases, bringing the total to 74.. Coachella also saw a double-digit increase, growing to 54 cases, from the 43 the previous day.
A sailor assigned to the coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, who was admitted to the intensive care unit last week, died of coronavirus-related complications on Monday:
US Navy: Sailor Assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt Dies of COVID-Related Complications https://t.co/Hp6PfyoRbJ
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 13, 2020
ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos has tested positive for coronavirus. He says he is symptom free and taking care of his wife, who also came down with COVID-19:
ABC's George Stephanopoulos says he has tested positive for COVID-19 but has been relatively symptom-free. The "Good Morning America" host says he has been taking care of his wife, Ali Wentworth, who also came down with the virus. https://t.co/yTf5aGXhFr
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 13, 2020
Drive-thru testing at retail partners, home testing, and a national screening website from Google – these were some of the things promised one month ago today by Donald Trump and the CEOs of various companies in the Rose Garden at the White House. As AP reports, most of these promises made that day by Donald Trump and big business have failed to come to pass.
After a month of failing to lead the nation and instead deferring to governors to initiate shutdowns for the sake of public safety, Donald Trump Monday morning claimed that he, and only he, has the power to open things up again:
….It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
The United States’ top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided adequate testing measures. Donald Trump retweeted a call to fire Fauci on Sunday.
A new study estimates that Riverside County has the highest share of workers in industries in the state that are seen at high-risk of job loss related to the coronavirus.
The city of Indio has split the employees of its public works department into two groups during the pandemic. One group works at the city yard while the other works from home. Then, the next week they switch. That way, if one worker were to fall ill or test positive for coronavirus, only half of the team would be forced into self-quarantine. – The Desert Sun looks into how cities are keeping city lights on and first responder vehicles maintained during COVID-19.
Reporters are the Desert Sun are being furloughed. Last year Gannett, the parent company of the Desert Sun, paid its new CEO $4.5 million just for taking the job:
I’m on a week-long furlough starting today as Gannett — The Desert Sun’s parent company — tries to weather problems stemming from the pandemic & loss of ad revenue. If you text or email me, I’ll respond in a week.
— Sam Metz (@metzsam) April 13, 2020
The new Gannett/Gatehouse CEO is getting $4.5 million in bonuses and stock just for walking in the door. Must be nice to be a newspaper executive. https://t.co/tWq1dpIwki pic.twitter.com/qSiTYrt0XU
— Matt Pearce ? (@mattdpearce) August 7, 2019
A Coachella Valley LGBTQ organization has launched a coronavirus hotline to help provide services to people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hotline can be reached at 760-416-3545 and is available from 8 am to 8 pm.
The LA Times reports on how high school seniors are choosing a university, often without being able to visit the campus, during the coronavirus.
Wildlife at California’s Yosemite Park is coming out of hiding during the National Park’s closure. Officials say that since the park shut down on March 20, the bear population inside of Yosemite has quadrupled.
The Empire Polo Club would normally have been packed this weekend, but, well, you know. TMZ took some photos anyway.
Kanye West, who performed last Easter in Indio as part of Coachella Weekend Two, backed out of pastor Joel Osteen’s virtual Easter concert over safety concerns for his Sunday Service choir this weekend.
The Cathedral City Police Department spent time on Sunday delivering Easter meals to some seniors in the community:
Happy Easter from all of us at the Cathedral City Police Department. Today members of CCPD passed out food for some…
Posted by Cathedral City Police on Sunday, April 12, 2020
That’s all for this morning. Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay home. Thank you for continued your support of Cactus Hugs.
Important information:
Congressman Raul Ruiz has posted a list of local resources and information.
The Washington Post offers plenty of ways that you can help during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you see someone price gouging, there is now a number for that.
The New York Times has an interactive map where you can track every coronavirus case in the United States.
The Washington Post is out with a guide to what you should know about the coronavirus.
Here is a memo by the Department of Homeland security identifying critical infrastructure workers.
The United Way of the Desert has assembled a nice list of information and resources available during the coronavirus here.
— Eisenhower Health (@EisenhowerHeal) March 9, 2020
These are scary and anxious times. Be safe and kind to each other out there and, please, remember to wash your hands.
Anything we missed? Let us know about it.
