Lake Yosemite, two other Merced County parks closed weekends as coronavirus cases surge
Coronavirus cases climbed again Friday in Merced County with 122 new infections reported by the Public Health Department.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Merced County since the pandemic began stood at 3,245 late Friday. There were no new deaths due to the virus reported on Friday. A total of 27 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Merced County, including 12 this week.
A total of 67 Merced County residents remained hospitalized Friday. Since the outbreak, 236 residents have been hospitalized by the virus.
There are 1,361 residents assumed to be active with COVID-19. County health officials have said they only can estimate the number of active local cases because they don’t have the capacity to manage individual cases.
Merced County regional parks closing on weekends
To help slow the spread of the virus, Lake Yosemite, Hagaman Park, and Henderson Park will close on Saturdays and Sundays to prevent large groups from gathering.
The weekend closures will continue until further notice.
The regional parks will be open Monday through Friday.
Applegate Zoo reopening
The Applegate Zoo will reopen on Saturday at 10 a.m. The zoo has been closed since mid-March when the initial stay-at-home orders were implemented.
The zoo will open with shorter hours and other restrictions, including the wearing of face coverings or masks. There will be extended barriers for certain exhibits.
The gift store will be closed.
Social distancing between groups will be encouraged.
The petting zoo and the duck and goat feeding area will remain closed.
The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Fridays.
Around the Valley
Fresno County reported eight new deaths on Friday and 392 new coronavirus cases. Fresno County now has 112 deaths through Friday and 12,148 positive cases since March.
Tulare County added 334 news cases of the deadly virus on Friday when the total reached 8,210. No new deaths were tallied, but the county still has the highest number of fatal cases on record at 168.
Madera County’s 31 new cases drove the total up to 1,630 on Friday. Another death brought the total to 19.
Mariposa County reported 44 cases and one death on Friday, unchanged from the previous afternoon.
Stanislaus County reported two new deaths, bringing the total to 79. Stanislaus County has 7,401 positive cases.
