Merced County reports 23 new coronavirus infections, highest increase reported in a day
Merced County topped its highest single-day jump in new coronavirus cases Monday with 23 individuals confirmed to have tested positive for the disease, according to County Public Health.
Following last week’s dip in active coronavirus cases to below 70, the county is back up to 109 positive residents. Total hospitalizations also rose to 42 Monday.
The 23 new infections reported Monday do not include numbers reported over the weekend. On Sunday there were 10 new cases.
Merced County’s last daily high for coronavirus infections was May 22, when 17 new cases were reported.
“Health officials want the community to understand that the COVID-19 disease remains an eminent threat to the health of our community,” a County Public Health news release said Monday.
Total Merced County residents who have been infected by coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 367. Of those, 251 individuals have recovered and seven have died.
The City of Merced continued to be hit hardest by the pandemic locally, claiming 15 of the new infections since Friday. Its tally stands at 147 residents having tested positive for coronavirus.
Los Banos, Atwater, Delhi, Winton and Livingston all saw an increase in cases since Friday as well.
A total of 7,622 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Merced County through the commercial and public health system. Of those, 7,152 are negative, 367 positives and 103 are pending.
In California on Monday, there are 131,319 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,653 deaths.
More reopening coming locally
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that schools, day camps, bars, gyms, campgrounds and professional sports may begin reopening with modifications Friday.
Schools and day camp reopenings are permitted statewide, but only counties like Merced that have been approved by the state for advanced reopening can move forward with the others. Nearly all 58 of the state’s counties have been approved. As a result, many destinations will be able to open across the state.
The state’s reopening guidance will also include rules on hotels, casinos, museums, zoos and aquariums.
Counties will decide what reopening will look like based on local conditions like coronavirus infection rates and contact tracing capability.
“An increase in positive cases may potentially overwhelm our healthcare systems and subsequently cause the county to digress in reopening our community,” the release said.
Merced County will release an updated stay-at-home order Friday to provide direction and clarification of which businesses are approved to safely reopen, another Monday County Public Health news release said.
Each business that reopens must first perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan. Employees have to be trained on how to limit COVID-19’s spread, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them. Disinfecting protocols and social distancing must also be practiced.
If an outbreak of three or more coronavirus cases occurs at a business, County Public Health will be required to publicly report that information and identify others who may have been exposed.
County Public Health Monday launched a #StaySafeStayOpen campaign aimed at promoting precautionary measures amid reopenings. These include wearing face covering, social distancing six feet apart and frequent hand washing.
County Public Health officials say such preventative practices help to curb the spread of coronavirus, meaning increased reopenings may continue to advance.
Residents are encouraged to post pictures on social media with the #StaySafeStayOpen hashtag. The pictures should show preventative measures being practiced. Tag the department with the handle @mercedcountypublichealth on Facebook and Instagram.
