Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus. For a rundown of all of our updates, click here.
- As of 4 pm Saturday, Riverside County officials have confirmed 195 people have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 8 reported deaths in the county.
- As of 4 pm Saturday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 76 cases of COVID-19. There has been 3 deaths in San Bernardino County.
- 12 of the new San Bernardino cases of COVID-19 were at a Yucaipa nursing facility.
- Two additional Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies have tested positive for COVID-19, Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Saturday evening (video below), bringing the total number of deputies to three. Bianco says that all three are in “good spirits while recovering.” Bianco added that additional deputies are self quarantining while awaiting test results.
- In the same video, Bianco announced that the first inmate in Riverside County has tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate was immediately isolated and is receiving treatment, according to Bianco. The inmate is said to have had very little contact with other inmates and that the ones who may have been exposed have been isolated with none showing symptoms at this time.
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Posted by Riverside County Sheriff's Department on Saturday, March 28, 2020
- Epidemiologist Patricia Cummings, PhD, MPH, Director, Department of Epidemiology Research and Evaluation, Eisenhower Health, shared sobering COVID-19 projections for Coachella Valley – in a few months time as many as 4,000 residents of the desert could be infected, with 800 having severe complications requiring hospitalization, and 200 requiring intensive care. Dr. Cummings goes on to emphasize how important it is to stay at home and practice social distancing to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our community:
- The Coachella Valley’s testing site, currently at Southwest Church, will be relocated to the Indio Fairgrounds next week.
Coachella Valley drive-up testing site relocated to county fairgrounds: https://t.co/bNshNDiVTR #ruhealth #rivconow #coronavirus @RivCoReady pic.twitter.com/hR4a7UJB8C
— Dr. Cameron Kaiser (@RivCoDoc) March 28, 2020
- Gov. Newsom announced that the state is moving quickly to try to repair 170 broken ventilators it received from the national stockpile.
LA received 170 broken ventilators from the national stockpile. Rather than complaining, we put them on a truck, drove them up overnight, and had @Bloom_Energy get to work fixing them.
Monday they‘ll back in LA–fixed.
That’s the spirit of CA. pic.twitter.com/y8yzsiC3Ny
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 28, 2020
- Meanwhile, in Washington DC:
So much of the Lamestream Media is writing and broadcasting stories with facts that are made up and knowingly wrong. They are doing it by quoting unnamed sources that simply do not exist. These are very dangerous & corrupt people, who will do anything to win. NAME YOUR SOURCES!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
- A restaurant trade group believes as many as 30,000 eateries in the state could be forced to close permanently as a result of current coronavirus restrictions.
- Hiking trails are pretty crowded these days.
- Bruce Fessier asks why gun shops are “essential,” while libraries are not.
- People can’t find toilet paper in stores so they are forced to try to find alternatives and, as The Sun reports, that has resulted in calling out the plumber and some pretty high bills.
- Fontana police arrested a man for price gouging after they say he was selling items like food, water, and toilet paper for three times the normal price.
- While gas has been pretty cheap in most places, it doesn’t look like that is the case everywhere:
This #palmsprings gas station didn’t get the lower gas prices memo lol pic.twitter.com/bO0a5iocEy
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) March 28, 2020
- An Indio police officer received a reprimand on video:
Chief Washburn serves Officer with written reprimand for violating COVID-19 policies. #indiopolice #covid_19 #reprimand #policies pic.twitter.com/LIuEsT2Kry
— Indio Police Dept (@Indiopd) March 28, 2020
- There are a lot of great local restaurants still open for take-out and delivery. If you can, support your favorite local eatery this weekend…
We are now offering Beer, Wine and Cocktails available TO GO with your pick up orders! ?
Posted by 19th Hole Sports Bar & Restaurant on Friday, March 20, 2020
BEGINNING TODAY, we will be OPENING AT 4:00 p.m. for PICK-UP/TAKE-OUT ORDERS placed online or by phone! Thank you for…
Posted by Okura Sushi at La Quinta on Thursday, March 26, 2020
- That’s all for tonight, friend. As always, thank you for your support of Cactus Hugs. Take care of yourself, your family, and your neighbors. Another updated will come your way tomorrow morning.
Important information:
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- 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.
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— Eisenhower Health (@EisenhowerHeal) March 9, 2020
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- 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.
