Coronavirus update: Modesto declares emergency; Stanislaus Catholic schools closed
Here is the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in and around Stanislaus County.
No new cases in the area have been immediately reported, though the county’s website has not been updated since Friday.
Catholic schools close
Catholic schools are closing in Stanislaus and the five other counties in the Diocese of Stockton for most of March. Bishop Myron Cotta made the decision Friday after San Joaquin County health officials reported five more people having tested positive for COVID-19 — bringing that county’s total to eight. That prompted school districts there to announced they were closing late Friday afternoon.
Public schools remain open in Stanislaus County, where the count of confirmed cases remained at 2 Friday.
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, the county’s top health official, said the level of contagious illness in the community has not met the criteria for telling parents to keep their kids at home.
Stanislaus County Office of Education Superintendent Scott Kuykendall said county school officials are scheduled to meet Monday morning at 8:30 to continue discussing what steps to take..
City declares state of emergency
Late Friday, the city of Modesto declared a state of emergency to help it respond to the pandemic.
“As the mayor of Modesto, I believe it is imperative we ensure the health, safety, and welfare of Modesto residents, businesses, visitors, and staff,” Mayor Ted Brandvold said in a news release. “This declaration will aid in that endeavor and will show our community we are serious about protecting the interests of our residents and local businesses.”
Restaurants, theaters take steps
Locally, the Gallo Center for the Arts — the region’s largest indoor performing arts venue with two theaters that seat 1,200 and 440 people, respectively — announced on Thursday it was rescheduling all of its remaining March performances. Those include sold-out shows by Josh Turner and Bonnie Raitt.
The State Theatre also is closing.
Restaurant operators are taking steps to protect customers, including canceling buffets and cleaning thoroughly.
In Stanislaus County, Vaishampayan said at this time they are not yet recommending people avoid all public places — save for those people in high-risk groups. According to the CDC, that includes people over the age of 60, and those with underlying health conditions including heart or lung disease, diabetes and a weakened immune system.
DA warns of price gouging
District Attorney Birgit Fladager announced Friday that she is working with other county agencies to stop illegal pricing of food, medical supplies, hotel rooms and other goods and services.
The prices generally cannot rise by more than 10 percent under a state law that was activated with a March 4 emergency declaration by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom held a small bottle of hand sanitizer during a news conference where he noted that this product is in especially high demand.
“We’re seeing literally small hand sanitizers like this going for $17,” he said. “I’ve seen some online for even more. We need to go after those that are price gouging.”
Residents can email complaints to consumerfraud@standa.org.
