Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Tests Reveal Coronavirus in Yosemite National Park's Sewage
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
July 20, 2020

Share

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — With no confirmed case of the coronavirus, Yosemite National Park appeared to be a safe haven from the pandemic.
But tests of the park’s raw sewage have confirmed the presence of the virus, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday, and dozens of people are believed to have been infected.
No park employee or resident has tested positive at the park’s health clinic, and no visitors have reported being sick since Yosemite began a phased reopening on June 11 after being closed for nearly three months.
Working with the National Park Service, Mariposa County health officials began taking samples of untreated wastewater and sent it to a lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for analysis. The lab, Biobot Analytics, told the county this week that based on how much of the virus they counted, it’s possible about 170 people were infected in Yosemite Valley.
Eric Sergienko, the county’s health officer who is overseeing coronavirus testing in the Yosemite area, attributed the emergence of the coronavirus in Yosemite to the region’s many visitors. He said its presence will not likely lead to policy changes because the park is already following local and state restrictions.

For Most People, the New Coronavirus Causes Mild or Moderate Symptoms

Yosemite, which typically attracts more than 4 million visitors each year, is cutting the number of vehicle passes to the park by half. Visitor centers remain closed, while campgrounds, gift shops and hotels are limiting services to allow for physical distancing. After Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered statewide restrictions on Monday to halt indoor dining due to a spike in COVID-19 cases across California, additional park facilities, such as restaurants, scaled back operations.
Sergienko said he believes the confirmed presence of the virus in Yosemite will make people more vigilant.
“We know the problem is here. We know the challenge is here. Now we have to be serious about facing it,” he said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

In Other News About the Outbreak in California

1. California reported on Saturday its fourth-highest daily total of newly confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 9,000. The state also reported an additional 120 deaths.
2. The number of coronavirus cases at a San Francisco Bay Area jail more than doubled in 24 hours, jumping from 40 to 101 cases. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said Friday the outbreak swept through two housing units at Santa Rita Jail and that the majority of cases were asymptomatic.
3. The Navy said Friday at least two sailors have tested positive after fighting a massive fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego. At least 27 people who were in contact with them are in quarantine. The fire broke out on July 12 and heavily damaged the ship.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

DON'T MISS

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

DON'T MISS

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

DON'T MISS

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

DON'T MISS

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

DON'T MISS

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

DON'T MISS

Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch

DON'T MISS

Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins

DON'T MISS

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

DON'T MISS

Two Renovated Tot Lots Promise Family Fun at Roeding Park

UP NEXT

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

UP NEXT

Two Renovated Tot Lots Promise Family Fun at Roeding Park

UP NEXT

Visalia Police Hand Out 55 Citations During Motorcycle Safety Crackdown

UP NEXT

Authorities Seek Help Finding Relatives of Deceased Fresno Man

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Felecia Johnson

UP NEXT

How in the World Did Fresno End Up on Trump’s Sanctuary Cities List?

UP NEXT

Loretta Swit, Emmy-winner Who Played Houlihan on Pioneering TV Series ‘M.A.S.H.,’ Has Died at 87

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Release Video of Officer-Involved Shooting

UP NEXT

1 in 4 US Children Have Parents With Substance Use Disorder, Study Finds

UP NEXT

Dozens Sickened in Expanding Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Cucumbers

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

6 hours ago

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

6 hours ago

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

6 hours ago

Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch

6 hours ago

Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins

6 hours ago

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

8 hours ago

Two Renovated Tot Lots Promise Family Fun at Roeding Park

8 hours ago

Visalia Police Hand Out 55 Citations During Motorcycle Safety Crackdown

8 hours ago

Chronic Stress Linked to Higher Dementia Risk, Experts Warn

8 hours ago

How Gentrification Is Killing the Bus: California’s Rising Rents Are Pushing Out Commuters

9 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

If Steve Hilton becomes California governor, he says he would demand the state Legislature overturn a law allowing transgender athletes to c...

2 hours ago

Steve Hilton, a 2026 candidate for governor, speaks at a news conference on May 31, 2025, outside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis. (GV Wire/David Taub)
2 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

5 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

6 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

6 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

6 hours ago

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

6 hours ago

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

6 hours ago

Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch

6 hours ago

Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend