Community Medical Centers is down 219 staff members as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Fresno County. On Thursday, CMC's website showed 40 staff members had the coronavirus. But by Friday, that same dashboard reported 104 had tested positive. In total, 219 members of the staff were in self-isolation. (Editor's...
As Hospitals Near Capacity, County Takes Steps to Open Convention Center
Fresno area hospitals are scrambling to make bed space available in every nook, cranny, and extra building they have. But despite their best efforts, ICU bed space continues to dwindle. The latest numbers from the state show Fresno County only has 16% of its ICU beds available. Just last week...
Fresno County Out of COVID-19 Drug, Tired Doctors Welcome Military Help
The federal government is pushing out remdesivir as fast as it can get it, and yet Fresno County says the cupboard is bare. The potentially life-saving drug, which has anecdotally helped COVID-19 patients in the Valley, is hard to come by. The hospitals that do have it are sharing it...
In Confrontation, Fresno Supervisor Tells Assemblyman: ‘Go Back to Sacramento’
Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig stood toe to toe with Assembly member Joaquin Arambula Friday and didn't mince words. The topic was COVID-19 — including Arambula's concerns over the county's plans for spending pandemic funds and what he considers a lack of transparency. "Go back to Sacramento," Magsig said. "Empower...
Owner Relents on Indoor Dining, Erects Tent Outside Restaurant’s Front Door
After hitting an impasse with city and county officials over the operation of his northwest Fresno restaurant, the owner of Pismo's Coastal Grill confirmed he's stopped offering indoor dining and will focus on getting folks outside. "We're starting tent patio dining tomorrow (Friday)," Dave Fansler said in a text message. Multiple...
Cornerstone Church Will Hold Indoor Services Despite Newsom’s Order
Pastor Jim Franklin of Fresno's Cornerstone Church plans to hold indoor services Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. "We will have masks on to protect those around us, but nothing's going to stop us from worshiping God," said Franklin on the church's social media pages. "Cornerstone Church will be...
Are COVID Death Counts Accurate? Here’s How Fresno County Makes the Call.
The issue of how to determine whether a person died from COVID-19 or some other underlying health condition has turned political in parts of the country. Some politicians believe the numbers are inflated and have called for changes to how they are calculated. In Florida, state officials have been accused of...
All Big Fresno Fair Concerts Canceled. That’s Not Enough for This City Councilman.
The Paul Paul Theater will remain quiet at the Big Fresno Fair after an announcement that all of this year's scheduled concerts have been canceled. But Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias says the fair board should pull the plug on the entire event. According to the Fair's website, "the...
Defiant Restaurant Owner Hires Top Attorney to Challenge Closure Orders
Dave Fansler says he's called the dining space at his Pismo's Coastal Grill restaurant a patio for well over a decade now. The Fresno County Health Department says it falls under the definition of indoor dining, which is prohibited under the state's COVID-19 emergency order. Fansler has continued to serve...
Suicides Spiked in Fresno County Last Month. Official Points to COVID-19.
Suicides were up significantly in Fresno County last month — a consequence, a top health official says, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen suicides were recorded in June. That's the most suicides for a single month in the last two-and-half years, data shows. "We saw a significant increase of completed suicides...