Over 1,000 people crowded into Skaggs Bridge Park on the San Joaquin River last weekend led to a cluster of COVID-19 cases, Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco said this week. "There was a person there — I'm sure there were multiple people there — that had the virus," Pacheco said....
Fresno County Passes 200 COVID-19 Deaths, Kraft Foods Employees Test Positive
Fresno County passed an ominous mark Friday with the announcement that 203 people have died of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Sixty-five of those deaths have come in August, which matches the total for all of July. With the addition of 467 positive tests since Tuesday, the county...
Study Hints, Can’t Prove, Survivor Plasma Fights COVID-19
Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover, but it’s not proof and some experts worry if, amid clamor for the treatment, they'll ever get a clear answer. More than 64,000 patients in the U.S. have been given convalescent plasma, a...
Virus Flareups in Europe Lead to Club Closings, Mask Orders
PARIS — New flareups of COVID-19 are disrupting the peak summer vacation season across much of Europe, where authorities in some countries are reimposing restrictions on travelers, closing nightclubs again, banning fireworks displays and expanding mask orders even in chic resort areas. “Unfortunately, this virus doesn’t play ball,” British Transport...
Fresno County to Seek Reopen Waivers for Big Creek, Hume Lake Schools
Two tiny Sierra mountain schools in eastern Fresno County might get to open for classes after all. Fresno County Public Health director David Pomaville said Friday that his department next week will ask the California Departments of Public Health and Education to consider allowing in-person instruction for students in kindergarten...
City’s $10.2M Plan Addresses Hunger, COVID Spread, Small Businesses
Fresno leaders hope to protect and support the city's most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic with a $10.2 million spending plan unveiled Friday morning. The funding is from the federal CARES Act. It addresses food insecurity, the spread of the virus among Black and immigrant families, and small businesses...
UCSF Aerosol Straitjackets COVID-19, 100% Effective in Lab
UCSF researchers say that they have come up with an aerosol spray that if used once a day could provide reliable protection against COVID-19 until a vaccine is available. The powerful protectant — dubbed AeroNabs — could be inexpensively manufactured, thus widening its appeal. The research team is in discussions with potential...
COVID-19 Closures Costing Fresno Economy Millions. How Do We Get Off State Watch List?
While essential businesses in Fresno County continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, those affected by statewide closures or the county's placement on the state's watch list are fighting for survival. Some have lost the battle and permanently closed their doors. The precise loss to the Fresno economy is incalculable...
Fresno County Public Health to Immanuel Schools of Reedley: Stop In-Person Instruction Now
The Fresno County Public Health Department on Thursday issued a health officer order to Immanuel Schools of Reedley to immediately close schools to in-person instruction, which began Thursday morning, or face sanctions and possible closure. Violating the order could result in fines of up to $1,000 a day and other...
COVID-19: Valley Sheriffs Concerned About Early Release of State Inmates
Up to 17,600 California prison inmates will get early releases by the end of August due to the coronavirus. That's more than twice as many as the first estimate from state prison officials. And, as of this week, the state had released more than 300 inmates known to be infected, state officials say....