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 799 people have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 19 confirmed deaths in the county.
As of 8 am Monday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 373 cases of COVID-19. There has been 13 deaths in San Bernardino County.
As of 10:11 pm Sunday, there have been 15,201 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California. There have been 350 deaths in the state.
Riverside County health officials are discouraging people from clustering at hiking trailheads and would prefer that people just stay at home and skip things like going for a jog around the block. “Joggers and hikers need to wear face coverings when they go out as well,” Riverside County spokesperson Jose Arballo. “But really we would prefer they stay home.”
A local trail guide offers up some lesser known (and more importantly, likely less crowded) hiking trails to KMIR.
The good news: California has cut its COVID-19 testing backlog by more than two-thirds, according to Governor Gavin Newsom. The bad news: The state has still only tested 0.5% of the state’s nearly 40 million residents.
The first report by the federal government to assess how hospitals are responding to COVID-19 shows severe shortages of tests, critical protective gear and staff.
Stanford University has developed a blood test that detects antibodies to the coronavirus and officials are looking to get it released as early as this week. The test could help to reopen things as, in theory, those who show immunity could safely return to work without catching or spreading the virus.
Here’s how to clean your filthy video game controller.
So Cal cities are getting creative in allowing the public to view and give comments during council meetings using services like YouTube, Zoom, and, in Riverside, even drive-up commenting – in which people pull their car up to a camera and speak their peace.
California courts are expected to adopt a statewide emergency order setting bail at zero for misdemeanor and lower-level felony offenses in a move aimed to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
BP is offering healthcare workers and first responders a 50 cent discount per gallon discount on gas.
The President of the Palm Springs Power baseball team took out some frustrations over the problems with the federal government’s loan process:
When your printer has failed you for the last time at a critical moment and you are stressed out from filling out and refilling out SBA loans. @PSPowerBaseball @sluggernation @ViralHog @HP pic.twitter.com/kFTikw9BJ9
— Andrew Starke (@TheAndrewStarke) April 6, 2020
Homebuying in Southern California was down 30% over the last month to the lowest levels in six years.
A semi-trailer convention scheduled for Indian Wells had to change its dates due to the rescheduling of Stagecoach and Coachella to October.
The local salons are closed, but the hair coloring continues.
So you may have seen this on your social media over the weekend – kind of cool, but also fake:
The classic “Hollywood” sign stood since 1997 was replaced by “Stay Home” today. pic.twitter.com/0s3Qx4FI6H
— FIGHT FOR FREEDOM FREE HK????☂️ (@crystal78243104) April 4, 2020
That’s all for this morning. 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.
Schools are closed, but free student meals are available. Here is the information on meal programs during this time for each Coachella Valley school district.
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.
