Coachella Valley coronavirus news and info | Wednesday evening, April 8

(?: Hortencia Diaz)

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 Wednesday, Riverside County officials have confirmed 1,179 people have tested positive for COVID-19.  There have been 32 confirmed deaths in the county.

As of 8 am Wednesday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 547 cases of COVID-19.  There has been 17 deaths in San Bernardino County.

As of 2:47 pm Wednesday, there have been 18,535 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California.  There have been 485 confirmed deaths in the state.

Riverside County health officials have projected that the number of currently available intensive care unit beds will be at capacity by next week.

At least 759 people under age 50 across the have died from COVID-19, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data. These deaths underscore that, while the  coronavirus might be most threatening to the old and compromised, no one is immune.

A day after posting that a face covering should be worn even when driving, San Bernardino County clarified that a bit on Wednesday, saying that drivers traveling alone or with family do not need to wear masks unless they roll down their windows to interact someone they don’t live with like a food-service worker or first responder:

Some of the patients from a Riverside nursing facility that were evacuated after workers did not show up for two days have been relocated to Palm Desert.

A second worker on the new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has tested positive for COVID-19, reports the LA Times.  Construction on the stadium will still go on.

78% of LA county residents surveyed said they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned that they or a family member might catch COVID-19 in a new poll.   83% say they fear the economic impact of the pandemic.

New Zealand has issued a pretty strict lockdown during the coronavirus with a goal of eliminating and not just containing the virus and, so far, it is working.

Meanwhile in Washington DC:

The Indio Police Chief posted about the efforts of the city’s police department to safeguard employees and residents during this public health emergency and what you can do to help.

The city of La Quinta has adopted an emergency resolution designating Riverside County’s public health officer as the city’s health officer as well.  The city believes the move allows the county to give the city resources needed to enforce mandates, if necessary.

If you park at the La Quinta Cove hiking trails, you will probably get a citation:

Citations will be issued for vehicles parked in the La Quinta Cove Trails parking lots. As per the Riverside County…

Posted by La Quinta Sheriff’s Station on Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Local synagogues have announced Passover Seders will be streamed on Zoom and Facebook live.

COVID-19 has caused Riverside’s Mount Rubidoux Easter walk to be cancelled for the first time in 111 years.

The Riverside County DA’s Office and Public Defender’s Office held a food drive, which resulted in 2,200 pounds of items being donated to the FIND Food Bank:

CouchChella is only a couple of days away:

People are heading to their balconies every night in downtown LA to applaud and thank healthcare workers:

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This is just too cool…. . @dtlaexplorer (@get_repost) ・・・ TURN UP THE VOLUME. . . Good job #dtla neighbors. . #thankyouhealthcareworkers. . . See you again tomorrow ay 8pm. #dtlaapplause #dtla #downtownla #DTLAexplorer #downtownlosangeles . . . @citadel_outlets and @zwilling_usa. . @chanelofficial @prada @rayban @ralphlauren @moncler @gucci @realmrvalentino @balenciaga @perrinparis @loewe @zara @tagheuer @jaqet @dior @persol @nyseyewear @tagheuer @tiffanyandco @cartier @off____white @converse #retail @barriolosangeles @louisvuitton #instadaily #instagay #scruff #malemodel . #gayink #model #ibiza #barcelona #losangeles #newyork #paris #fashionblogger #djs #electronicdancemusic #tattoo #milan #picoftheday #disco #bears ? #guyswithtattoos

A post shared by David Rodriguez (@thedivinedivaoffashion) on

An Old Town La Quinta eatery fed some Valley first responders:

Thank you for feeding us!!

Posted by La Quinta Sheriff’s Station on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The Palm Springs Police Department received some much needed supplies:

Thank you to Steve Gallion, CEO of MedTrainer and Solomon Yaqoot, CEO of Sun Medical Supplies for teaming up to provide…

Posted by Palm Springs Police Department, CA on Wednesday, April 8, 2020

La Quinta Brewing is giving you a few ways to enjoy a tasty brew:

Finally, there’s a bunch of snow at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.  It’s a bummer you can’t ride up to it, but at least you can see it:

That’s all for this evening.  We will get through this.  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.

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.