Local COVID-19 infections could be confirmed in as little as 24 hours when a new testing lab at Fresno State comes on line in the days ahead. The state-licensed lab, housed at the university's Jordan Agricultural Research Center, can test between 40-60 specimens a day. It will analyze samples collected elsewhere,...
Tulare County Confirms Two New COVID-19 Deaths
Two people died over the weekend in Tulare County from COVID-19 according to the health officials there. The individuals were both over 65 and the transmission types were community contact. These were the 12th and 13th deaths due to COVID-10 in Tulare County. In a news release, Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare...
Fresno COVID-19 Cases Jump Past 200 in Latest Report from Health Department
Ten more cases of COVID-19 were reported in Fresno County on Saturday, bringing the local total to 201 infections. The latest case count was reported in a news release from the Fresno County Health Department. Seventy cases have been attributed to community spread, while 36 are travel related and 60 resulted...
Fresno County Reports Two More Deaths From COVID-19
The Fresno County Public Health Department reported two more deaths Friday attributed to COVID-19. In a teleconference with reporters, the county said it has 191 cases, 36 of those travel-related, and 69 from community spread. The two deaths were both described as "elderly gentleman" by the county health department. That...
Fresno’s Doctor Shortage Just Cost the County 100 Coronavirus Emergency Hospital Beds
Fresno County has to give away 100 emergency field hospital beds intended to treat coronavirus patients because the Valley’s long-standing shortage of doctors means there aren’t enough medical professionals to monitor the patients. About 250 beds will be delivered to the county after state officials on Wednesday green light its...
Officials Say 'Stay at Home' as Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Rise in Valley
Valley public health officials joined national medical experts and President Trump on Monday saying that the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic may be weeks away and reminding people to stick with social distancing and good hygiene. The Fresno County Health Department, for example, stated on its website that "more cases...
Fresno County Receives N95 Masks but Still Needs Your Help
Fresno County says that while it has received more than 21,000 N95 respirator masks to protect healthcare workers from the coronavirus, several requests for N95 masks have so far gone unfulfilled. "On Tuesday, we requested from the state 200,000 N95 masks for hospitals and other providers," said Fresno County spokesman...
Another 5 Virus Cases in Fresno County as of Tuesday. Now Up to 18.
The Fresno County Health Department says there are now 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county. Of those cases, 6 are travel related, 2 are person to person, and 10 are under investigation. In a late afternoon conference call with reporters, health officials said there is no identified community...
Emergency Grants City Broad Powers Including Ban of Liquor, Gun Sales
In a public emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local laws give great latitude to leaders to do what they must to protect citizens. For example, the city of Fresno could legally end the sale of beer and liquor, gasoline, and firearms. The Fresno City Council didn't talk...
County Health Officer Explains the Why of Emergency Declaration
With Fresno County declaring a state of emergency to handle the COVID-19 outbreak, the county's top public health official has this advice: Engage in basic hygiene (like washing hands), stay home if you are sick, and practice social distancing — spreading out in public areas. County health officials announced Saturday...