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%...
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 Hospitals at or Beyond Capacity Because of COVID-19: Dr. Vohra
State figures show Fresno County's hospitalized COVID-19 patients have increased by more than 48% in the last two weeks. Eight more patients have gone into intensive care over the last 14 days — leaving 28% of the county's ICU beds available. Listen to this article: Fresno County interim health officer...
Seniors, Others at Risk Encouraged to Stay Home Under New Plan To Open Fresno Economy
There could be two plans to fully reopen Fresno presented at this week's city council meeting. As he promised a week ago, Councilman Garry Bredefeld is proposing a resolution to immediately repeal all 16 emergency orders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in Politics 101: Will any councilmember second Bredefeld's...
Here’s Your First Look at Fresno’s Surge Field Hospital
Local leaders invited Fresno-area media on Thursday to check out the field hospital that will provide extra healthcare capacity if the expected surge in coronavirus patients materializes in the region. The hospital, which can accommodate up to 265 beds, is inside the Exhibit Hall at the Fresno Convention Center. Dr....
First Fresno County COVID-19 Death Reported
The first death in Fresno County from the coronavirus was announced Friday afternoon by public health officials. The county now has 100 positive cases. Twenty-eight are travel-related, 24 are community-acquired, 18 resulted from close contact, and 30 are under investigation. The person who died was described as elderly with underlying...
As Valley Deaths Rise, Convention Center Will Be COVID-19 Field Hospital
With COVID-19 deaths rising in the Valley, the Fresno Convention Center will house a 250-bed field hospital site to help alleviate the strain on local hospitals. According to a news release Friday from the Fresno County Health Department, the site is expected to include beds, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment for...