Merced County reports two new coronavirus-related deaths, confirmed infections rise to 40
Two new coronavirus-related deaths were confirmed in Merced County on Wednesday by the local Department of Public Health, raising the number of dead to three.
The deceased individuals include one man and one women, both over the age of 65, according to County Public Health officials.
Six additional coronavirus cases were confirmed Wednesday as well. The number of infected persons in the county now tallies 40.
Of the new cases, four are females between age 18 to 49 living on the county’s west side, according to public health. The other two new cases include one male from the east and one from the west, both between age 50 to 64.
Those having recovered from the infection in Merced County remained at three.
As of Wednesday, statewide there are 17,571 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 438 deaths and 314 recoveries.
The county also reported Wednesday that the Care and Shelter Branch of the Merced County Emergency Operations Center is making contact with homeless individuals to evaluate their health.
Any individual suspected of having COVID-19 is provided healthcare. Food boxes and other assistance is provided as well.
Other counties in the region
Stanislaus County has reported 95 positive cases, no deaths, and 59 recoveries.
Fresno County health officials reported 10 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total up to 156.
Madera County reported no new confirmed cases on Wednesday, with 30 total confirmed cases and two deaths including the first reported in the region, on March 26.
Tulare County reported another COVID-19 death on Wednesday, bringing the total up to seven. Tulare County reported a total of 168 confirmed cases.
Kings County in a news release Wednesday evening reported three new cases, bringing the total to eight confirmed cases.
Mariposa County said Wednesday it’s still at zero positive cases out of 65 tested; four tests were pending.
Fresno County health officials reported 10 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total up to 156.
Madera County reported no new confirmed cases on Wednesday, with 30 total confirmed cases and two deaths including the first reported in the region, on March 26.
Tulare County reported another COVID-19 death on Wednesday, bringing the total up to seven. Tulare County reported a total of 168 confirmed cases.
Kings County in a news release Wednesday evening reported three new cases, bringing the total to eight confirmed cases.
Mariposa County said Wednesday it’s still at zero positive cases out of 65 tested; four tests were pending.
New health order directs stricter precaution
Two increasingly strict health orders were issued by Merced County Health Officer Dr. Kenneth Bird this week in response to the rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths, a county news release said.
The new order Wednesday clarifies, strengthens, and extends the prior stay-at-home order to increase social distancing and reduce person-to-person contact to further slow coronavirus transmissions and deaths.
“Merced County has one of the lowest ratios of hospital beds and advanced health care equipment to population in the state,” Bird said in the release. “It is absolutely essential that mitigation activities . . . be in place in order to prevent our health care resources and health care personnel from being overwhelmed.”
The order directs all residents to stay at home unless providing or receiving essential services. Plus, all businesses or governmental agencies must cease non-essential operations at physical locations.
The order also prohibits all non-essential gatherings of any number of individuals, including church and funeral services.
All non-essential travel must cease and access to certain recreation areas, including parks and golf courses, is restricted.
“It is even more critical that each of us comply with these efforts to the fullest extent possible in order to avoid unnecessary deaths from both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 related causes,” Bird said in the release.
Failure to comply is a misdemeanor punishable by a possible fine, county jail sentencing or both.
“People are dying in our community—please take all health directives seriously,” said Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke in the release.
“Risking a criminal record because of mere disregard to health and safety is reckless, careless, and simply not worth it,” he added. “This pandemic will end sooner if we all do our part.”
Healthcare providers, employers and residents are now directed to follow more aggressive precautions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread under Tuesday’s health order.
“Community spread of COVID-19 has been well established in Merced County,” Bird said in the release. “It is not unrealistic to say that as many as 1 in 3 individuals with fever and respiratory symptoms have COVID-19.”
All Merced County residents are strongly encouraged to wear a cloth face covering in public to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Residents able to make or donate face masks can utilize a recently-established collection and distribution system organized by Merced County and the City of Merced, Dignity Health and Rotary Community Corps Merced County.
A drive-through mask drop-off is available at the Merced Senior Community Center at 755 W. 15 th St., Merced from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. More information can be found at www.rccmercedcounty.org.
The health order also instructs healthcare providers to report patients with febrile respiratory illness to Public Health. Employers are also instructed to screen employees for febrile respiratory illness.
“It is also probable that many of our residents currently have no symptoms of illness, but are infectious to others,” Bird said in the release. “We are in this together to slow the spread of this illness in our community to prevent our health care facilities from being overwhelmed.”
“Stay home unless you have to provide or receive an essential service.”
Residents are advised to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolate if necessary.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 5:22 PM.
