Coachella Valley coronavirus update | News and info for Monday Evening, 3/16

By
Casey Dolan
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Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus.  Some links might be behind that other website’s paywall…nothing we can do about that, sorry.  For a rundown of all of our updates, click here.

  • The first two deaths from coronavirus in the Coachella Valley were announced on Monday night.  “Our thoughts are with the families of the two patients,” County Public Health Officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser said in a statement. “Sadly, these outcomes are expected as we face a serious challenge and continue to make the necessary decisions to protect the health of the community.”

  • Prior to that, officials announced a 13th case of Coronavirus in the Coachella Valley on Monday.  The county total is now 15.
  • All four of the Marines quarantined for coronavirus in Twentynine Palms have tested negative.
  • Three Palm Springs Fire Department personnel are quarantined at home after treating a patient who has since tested positive for coronavirus.

  • Desert Regional Medical Center has issued new, stricter visitation rules.
  • The Palm Springs Police Department has announced their lobby will be closed to the public and non-emergency calls will be vetted to determine if it can be handled on the phone or online:

  • The Parker Palm Springs hotel will close for 2 weeks, beginning on Wednesday. Full-time staff will be paid.
  • Fantasy Springs Casino will temporarily close, effective Tuesday at 6 pm.
  • The Press Enterprise reports on why some casinos have closed, while others remain open.
  • The City of Indio has setup up a special page for updates regarding closures, cancellations, and health & safety updates.
  • The City of La Quinta has cancelled all city-hosted events in the city through April. The city’s Wellness Center will remain open, but for information only.
  • The Trump Administration on Monday asked older people to stay home and all ages to keep social gatherings to 10 people or less.
  • This was the Palm Desert Costco early Monday morning:

View this post on Instagram

This is madness.

A post shared by Luis J Gonzalez (@thecashmereguy) on

  • And this was the scene inside of the Albertson’s on Monterey in Palm Desert just before 8 am:

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7:50am……got some baby wipes ???

A post shared by Beckie Biedebach (@beckiehoney1) on

  • Clark’s Nutrition will offer a special shopping hour for the elderly and disabled on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week:

  • Amazon has announced that the increased demand for shipping will lead them to hire 100,000 new people.  They are also raising wages by $2 per hour in the US.  If you are looking to apply, you can do that here.
  • A “Vanderpump Rules” personality would like your quarantine vlog ideas:

Important information:

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.

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