Merced County coronavirus cases hit 82. New Los Banos pandemic rules to take effect Monday
Total coronavirus cases in Merced County increased to 82 on Thursday, rising from 78 the previous day according to County Public Health. Active cases, meaning individuals who are still sick, stand at 51.
Residents having recovered from the disease tally 28. Three persons have died from COVID-19 related complications in Merced County.
The City of Los Banos continues to claim the majority of cases within a single local community, with 31 infections in total, an increase of one from Wednesday, County Public Health reported.
The City of Merced is next highest, with 16 of the 82 county cases. Gustine tallies seven cases and Atwater six.
Area-specific numbers are disclosed only for communities with five or more confirmed COVID-19 infections.
As of Thursday in California, there were 27,199 confirmed coronavirus cases and 893 deaths.
Los Banos addresses rising cases
In response to Los Banos’s rising number of COVID-19 positive residents, Alex Terrazas, city manager and director of emergency services issued an executive order instructing face coverings be used by employees and customers in certain businesses, according to a news release.
Essential businesses must post on-site written plans related to the order by midnight Friday to ensure social distancing and sanitation protocols. The order will be enforced beginning Monday, April 20.
“The purpose of this order is to encourage social distancing and compliance in an effort to flatten the curve,” the release said.
The new rules come after 10 nurses at a Los Banos area clinic recently tested positive for the virus.
The plans must be provided to each employee performing work at the facility. This includes businesses providing retail goods, banking services, grocery sores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, gas stations and convenience stores, restaurants providing take-out and delivery services.
“All such employers must provide, at their expense, non-medical grade face coverings for their employees,” the release said. “All persons . . . are discouraged from using medical-grade personal protective equipment, such as N95 masks, for non-medical reasons.”
Under the order, businesses can refuse admission to customers who fail to wear cloth masks inside. Entry is limited to one adult person per household at a time, the release says.
Los Banos residents are encouraged, but not required, to wear face coverings elsewhere.
The number of customers inside businesses is limited to five per 1,000 square feet of interior space open to the public, the order says. Plexiglass barriers dividing customers and cashiers are encouraged.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 6:36 PM.
