Pharmacies have already started their ad campaigns urging you to get a flu shot. And, CVS and Walgreens began giving shots this week in Fresno and Clovis. Health officials in California are concerned about the confluence of the coronavirus and flu, noting a substantial decline in child vaccination rates since...
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...
Send Us Help, Vohra Says, As Feds Tag Valley COVID Hot Spot
White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx called out the Central Valley as a COVID-19 hot spot earlier this week. Fresno County's interim health director addressed her concerns during a Zoom call with the media Friday afternoon. Though Dr. Rais Vohra is not pleased with the Valley's notoriety, he...
State’s COVID Team Heads to Madera, Will Provide Fresno County Action Plan
After two solid days of meetings and tours, the state's COVID-19 support team is leaving Fresno County. But, that doesn't mean the county is in the clear. The team next travels to Madera County to assist COVID-19 efforts there before returning to Sacramento. Fresno County leaders expect to receive an...
Valley Children’s Hospital Confirms Pediatric Patient Dies From COVID-19 Complications
Valley Children’s Hospital confirms that a pediatric patient died from COVID-19 complications earlier this week. The hospital could not release further details on the patient’s gender, ethnicity, age, or circumstances surrounding the death, due to federal and state privacy laws. However, the California Department of Public Health confirmed Friday the COVID-related death...
County Has ‘Unchecked Community Spread,’ ICU Beds Below 10%
Fresno County only meets one of the coronavirus metrics the state has set —testing, public health officials said Friday. The county is running over 2,100 tests a day, about 600 more than the state's goal. But the county falls short on everything else. The COVID-19 positivity rate is at 11.4%...
Valley Children’s Hospital Confirms Pediatric Patient Dies From COVID-19 Complications
Valley Children’s Hospital confirms that a pediatric patient died from COVID-19 complications earlier this week. The hospital could not release further details on the patient’s gender, ethnicity, age, or circumstances surrounding the death, due to federal and state privacy laws. However, the California Department of Public Health confirmed Friday the COVID-related death...
Fresno Primary Care Providers Will Soon Be Asked to Do COVID-19 Tests
Imagine getting a test for coronavirus at the same time you get blood work or a physical at your doctor's office. That may soon be a reality. Los Angeles and Long Beach recently put out orders to that effect. Starting Friday, all primary care providers there must provide COVID-19 testing....
State Sending COVID Team to Fresno & Madera Counties as Harvest Begins
The state is sending a team to help battle the number of rising COVID-19 infections in Fresno and Madera counties. Fresno County calls it a "unified support" team that will collaborate with leaders here to best determine where and how they deploy. Fresno County officials also confirm that part of...
Some Still Not Satisfied After Joint City-County COVID Meeting
A Fresno assemblyman said the county isn't spending COVID funds fast enough, nor being transparent about their decisions. Elected officials from Fresno County disagreed. That dynamic was part of the largest question and answer session held locally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with city and county leaders holding...