Merced County reports over 1,000 new coronavirus cases in past week. No new deaths Friday
The Merced County Public Health Department report 216 new local coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total number of cases reported over the last seven days to 1,065.
No new deaths were reported Friday, and 6,777 residents have tested positive since the start of the pandemic. Total deaths from COVID-19 remain at 89.
Public Health estimated there are 2,495 Merced County residents considered active with the virus. There are 94 residents hospitalized and 421 people who’ve been hospitalized at some point since March.
Other counties
In terms of the six-county central San Joaquin Valley region (Merced, Madera, Mariposa, Tulare, Fresno and Kings counties), a total of 158 people have died this month, compared to 206 in July.
Fresno County reports that 65 Fresno County residents have died from COVID-19 in August — the same number of local deaths as July. Twelve of the most recent deaths were included in Friday’s update from the Fresno County Department of Public Health. The agency reported the county has now reached 19,157 cases since the pandemic began.
Stanislaus County reported 195 deaths and 11,953 total cases since pandemic’s start, with 10,874 total recoveries.
Madera County added 71 cases in Friday’s report. One new death was reported. The county’s total is 2,924.
In terms of good news: Tulare, Merced and Mariposa counties reported no deaths Friday. Mariposa reported one new COVID-19 positive case.
Tulare County’s Friday morning report showed 258 new cases added to the county’s total of 12,105 cases. Merced County reported 216 new cases; and 6,777 total. Mariposa’s total is 64 cases.
Kings County reported 67 new cases Friday, 5,310 total cases and 64 deaths since pandemic’s start.
Voting in Merced County during pandemic
In other COVID-19 news, the county’s Registrar of Voters recently announced an update on changes and procedures that will be implemented for the Nov. 3 election during the pandemic.
The changes were made so voters could participate in the election safely and securely, according to a Registrar of Voters news release.
California law requires that ever active registered voter be mailed a ballot for the Nov. 3 election, allowing voters to safely and securely vote from home.
Ballots will be mailed out in October. Voters are encouraged to confirm their current residential address or mailing address is on file. Voters can update their voter registration and eligible citizens can register to vote, at www.registertovote.ca.gov or www.mercedelections.org.
It is a requirement that the signature on every returned ballot envelope be compared to the signature on the voter’s registration record.
Voters should vote with the ballot mailed to them and return it to one of the many secure ballot drop boxes that will be located throughout the county. Ballots can also be mailed in, as postage is already paid.
The Postal Service advises that voters should deposit their ballots in the mail no later than Oct. 27 to ensure the envelope reaches the elections office in a timely manner.
Drop boxes will be open beginning Oct. 5 up until 8 p.m. Nov. 3. A list of drop box locations will be included in the County Voter Information Guide.
Voters can track their ballot and receive automatic email, text or voice call notifications about the status of their ballot. To request this service, sign up at www.WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
Voters may also request a translated ballot in Hmong, Punjabi, Chinese, or Mien by calling 209-385-7541.
Merced County Elections will also provide 12 Voting Assistance Centers.
The centers will allow voters to drop off their ballots, replace lost or damaged ballots and access services like language assistance or accessible ballot marking devices. Centers will also allow for registration and on-site voting.
Voting Assistance Centers will be open Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.
Face masks will need to be worn at the Voting Assistance Centers and the location of the centers will be included in the County Voter Information.
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 6:12 PM.
