Coronavirus update, March 31: Latest cases; words from Modesto-area businesses
Here is the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to Stanislaus County:
Modesto-area business owners, employers discuss impact
The words from business owners or employers who responded to our survey asking them to tell us about the impact from the coronavirus outbreak are tough.
We asked how they’ve adjusted, and how it’s been felt. Some of the replies:
“Layoffs, remote workers. Revenue down 60+%. Applying for any and all disaster loans and deferments. Hoping I can save my life’s work of almost 26 years, and my beloved employees’ livelihood. The only consolation is that most everyone is in the same boat, and we still have our health. If we make it through this, we can make it through anything!”
“Closed to clients at office. Put employees on paid sick leave. Only owner and sons working. We are a support business to construction.”
“Our sales have declined drastically. We are not able to meet rent and other monthly obligations.”
“We tried, but are non-essential. We have already lost over 40k and if we stay closed another month, over $100,000.”
“We have adapted to the take out and delivery only for our restaurant. It is extremely difficult to pay all bills with the loss of sales, applied for the SBA (Small Business Administration) disaster relief but have not received any word yet.”
We’ll continue to share out the words of residents who have been surveyed about work, healthcare, education and daily life.
Latest facts on COVID-19 tests in Modesto area
Stanislaus County reported that 33 people have tested positive for the virus and 994 tested negative. There remain no virus-related deaths in the county.
San Joaquin County has six COVID-19-related deaths among 136 cases.
Merced County is at nine cases, with no deaths. Reported tests remained at 61.
Tuolumne County reported Monday that a 34-year-old female resident was infected outside the county and recovered while isolated at home. Last week, a 31-year-old woman sought treatment in Sonora for an infection that happened in Mono County. Reported tests are at 185.
Mariposa County still has no cases and reported 41 tests.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 7,426 confirmed cases in California and 149 deaths (three more than Monday), according to the Los Angeles Times. There were 163,575 U.S. cases and 3,073 deaths (71 more than early Monday), according to the New York Times.
Here is the state tracker.
County could curtail evictions
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors could approve a temporary moratorium on residential and commercial evictions because of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday.
The resolution would suspend eviction procedures through May 31 for renters who were laid off or had work hours substantially reduced by stay-home orders and other efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness. The local moratorium would apply in the county unincorporated area and in cities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order Friday, granting two-months’ relief to laid off workers who may face eviction during the public health emergency, could be extended beyond June 1. But the county’s ban on evictions would end May 31. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Where to find help, takeout in Modesto
If you’re looking for Modesto-area restaurants that are open for takeout and/or delivery, here’s your must-have guide. If you own or know of any that are open not on this list, email Bee reporter Marijke Rowland at mrowland@modbee.com. Here also are some shopping alternatives if the stores you normally go to are out of your favorite food or other items. Also, if you’re looking for ways to give or looking for help, click on our list of resources.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, U.S.
An employee in Sacramento County’s Department of Child, Family and Adult Services has tested positive for the coronavirus. According to an email sent Friday afternoon by department director Michelle Callejas obtained by The Sacramento Bee, the employee potentially exposed others in at least three county buildings to the virus before staying home from work beginning March 18. Read the story. The positive test realizes a fear county employees have voiced in recent weeks — with many deemed “essential” and required to continue working from the office, they’re continuing to put themselves, their families and their clients at risk.
Four state prison inmates — three of them at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, in Lancaster — have now tested positive for coronavirus, along with 18 corrections workers throughout the prison system.
Coyotes are roaming streets emptied of people by a coronavirus lockdown in normally bustling San Francisco. “Unexpected things happening, maybe as a result of shelter in place,” wrote Gianna Tobini on Twitter.
Two day after confirming the county’s first death related to the coronavirus, the Tulare County Public Health and Human Service Agency confirmed nine new cases in an online briefing Monday – including two children under the age of 18. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 43. The county originally reported 44 cases, but later revised the number. Read the Fresno Bee story.
The state has all but rejected the Fresno fairgrounds as the site for 250 incoming government beds to treat coronavirus patients. “The fairgrounds has technically not formally been rejected but based on some of the concerns the state had, there’s a very slim possibility it will be used,” Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said Monday. “We are working with our city partners to identify a more suitable site.”
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 6:53 AM with the headline "Coronavirus update, March 31: Latest cases; words from Modesto-area businesses."
