City of Merced, CA
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Coronavirus update 06/03/20
June 3, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike North, 209-726-2744
COVID-19 DAILY STATUS REPORT
PLEASE NOTE: This is an evolving situation. More information will be distributed as it becomes available. For the most up to date information, please visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Additional information is available at www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirus. These status reports will be released once a day in the afternoon on weekdays only. Statistics will continue to be updated daily at www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirusstats.
CURRENT STATUS:
- As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2020, there are 310 confirmed cases (69 active) of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in Merced County. Of that number, 234 have recovered and seven have died.
- Please see “COVID-19 Testing Update” section for latest testing figures.
TOTAL COVID-19 CASE COUNT FOR MERCED COUNTY
Current as of June 3, 2020, 2 p.m.
# Confirmed*
# Active
# Recovered**
# Deaths
# Ever Hospitalized
310
69
Total: 234
East County: 167
West County: 67
7
40
CASE SUMMARY DETAILS
EXPOSURE TYPE
East County
West County
Acquired Out of Jurisdiction
28
12
Community Spread
69
18
Healthcare Exposure***
23
22
Known Exposure
111
24
Under Investigation
3
0
GENDER
East County
West County
Female
120
48
Male
114
28
AGE
East County
West County
<18 years
26
4
18-49
132
45
50-64
46
17
65+
30
10
Notes:
- *Total confirmed cases include total recovered and total deaths.
- **Recovered defined as symptom free with no medication for 72 hours.
- ***Healthcare exposure includes exposure in and out of jurisdiction.
- East Merced County includes: Atwater, Ballico, Bear Creek, Calpack, Cressey, Delhi, El Nido, Hilmar, Irwin, Le Grand, Livingston, Merced, Planada, Snelling, Stevinson, Tuttle, and Winton
- West Merced County includes: Dos Palos, Gustine, Los Banos, Santa Nella, and Volta
Note: *Only communities with five or more cases are reported in this graph.
The figures in the top chart on this page represent confirmed cases, which includes active cases, recoveries, and deaths.
- Based on information provided by individuals who test positive, Public Health staff will continue to assess risks of exposure and contact any affected individuals.
- Due to privacy laws, the Public Health Department cannot release identifying information related to positive cases.
- In California, there are 117,816 confirmed cases and 4,316 deaths.
RECENT ACTIVITIES & UPDATES:
- Merced County Public Health continues to coordinate with federal, state and local partners to further prepare us for future impacts. This includes working with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor COVID-19.
- In order to support small business employers facing financial impacts and potential layoffs from the novel-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Worknet Merced County has established the COVID-19 Reopen Merced County Fund. The fund will provide grants to small employers experiencing economic stresses in order to prevent potential layoffs or facility closures during COVID-19. Funding is open to Merced County businesses only, with up to $1,000 available for businesses that employ 1-25 people, and $2,000 available for businesses that employ 26-50 people. Funding can pay for items that allow the business to maintain operations during this time, including the purchase of remote access equipment, services or tools to convert to online sales, cleaning or sanitation supplies that are needed to reduce virus exposure, or other items the business needs to invest in so as to avoid the need for employee layoffs.Please note that funding cannot be spent directly on employee wages or benefits. Apply online now at www.ReopenMercedCounty.com/RMCFund.
- With the heat index exceeding 105 degrees tomorrow (Thursday), various cooling zones are available to the public, with COVID-19 precautions in place. For additional information or to see what locations are available, please visit www.countyofmerced.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1851.
- The Merced County Office of Emergency Services and Merced County Department of Public Health proclaimed a local and public health emergency March 13 in order to help address the outbreak. The Board of Supervisors ratified those actions during a March 16 special meeting.
- On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Executive Order N-33-20, asking California residents to stay at home. On March 20, Merced County’s Health Officer also issued an Order directing County residents to remain in their places of residence except to perform or receive essential services.
- The Merced County Public Health Department Operations Center was activated Jan. 27, 2020 (129 days) in order to prepare for COVID-19 in and around our community. The Merced County Emergency Operations Center and Human Services Agency Department Operations Center are also currently active.
COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE:
- Coronavirus symptoms include: mild to severe respiratory illness, fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. If symptoms develop, individuals should stay at home to limit exposure to others.
- Anyone who has had contact with a person with possible COVID-19 infection and has the above symptoms should call his/her local health department/health care provider immediately.
- Do not go to your provider’s office without calling ahead. Do not call 911 for suspected COVID-19 unless you are having a medical emergency.
- During the flu season, there are steps you can take to protect your health and the health of those around you:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.
- Cover sneezes or coughs with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- A total of 6,999 tests have been performed in Merced County: 6,616 negatives, 310 positives, and 73 still pending. These figures include testing through both the commercial and public health lab systems.
- COVID-19 Testing Available for All Merced County Residents:
- Merced County Fairgrounds: 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday—Friday
- Register at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 1-888-634-1123
- Testing availability is by appointment only in order to prevent unnecessarily-long wait times for clients. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time.
- Within the public health system, every person who has met CDC criteria for severe disease within Merced County has been tested.
- Public Health is actively identifying other methods to enhance testing capability for providers throughout the community and increase testing county-wide. We will continue to be notified should positive tests come through either system (public health or commercial).
- In late March, Merced County opened two “mobile specimen collection sites” for COVID-19 in order to streamline testing capabilities. Initially, there will be two collection days per week, one on the westside of the County, and one on the eastside of the County. Each site will remain open for four hours per day. Additional hours per day and days per week may become more frequent if supply and personnel availability increase.
- PLEASE NOTE: Use of these mobile specimen collection sites are by appointment only, and you must have a prescription from a physician and prior approval from the Merced County Department of Public Health. If you do not have a provider and have symptoms call 209-381-1180 for a phone consultation. Anyone without prior approval will not be tested. Locations will be provided to clients once appointments are made. Call 209-381-1180 for more information.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AND PRECAUTIONS:
- PLEASE NOTE: Use of these mobile specimen collection sites are by appointment only, and you must have a prescription from a physician and prior approval from the Merced County Department of Public Health. If you do not have a provider and have symptoms call 209-381-1180 for a phone consultation. Anyone without prior approval will not be tested. Locations will be provided to clients once appointments are made. Call 209-381-1180 for more information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Sign up for COVID-19 alerts: www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirus
- Merced County Public Health COVID-19 Information Webpage:
- Merced County Public Health Information Line:
- 209-381-1180 (English, Spanish, and Hmong. Live reps. available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Email COVID-19-specific questions to Merced County Public Health:
- COVID19@countyofmerced.com.
- Updated CDC Information:
- CDC Resources for Households:
- How to talk to your kids about the coronavirus:
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers:
- Report Price Gouging:
- Report Consumer Fraud:
- Report non-essential business activity and large group gatherings that violate the Stay-at-Home Order:
- Hotline: 209-381-1100 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday)
- Email: COVIDcomplaint@countyofmerced.com
- Free Virtual Care options through Dignity Health for those with COVID-19 symptoms:
- Patients can receive a free Virtual Care Anywhere visit if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
- To access a free virtual urgent care visit, visit www.dignityhealth.org/virtualcareanywhere, download the Virtual Care Anywhere app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or call 855-356-8053 and use the coupon code COVID19.
- Get Help/Give Help:
- Donations—help community members impacted by COVID-19:
- Exclusive Shopping for Vulnerable Populations:
- Make and donate face masks:
- Apply for benefits— Individuals experiencing financial hardship may qualify for cash assistance through CalWORKs, food nutrition assistance through CalFresh, and medical assistance through MediCal:
- www.getcalfresh.org (CalFresh only)
- www.C4yourself.com (CalWORKs and MediCal)
- 1-855-421-6770
- Unemployment Insurance questions to local Merced County EDD Office:
- Information regarding tenant protections:
- 24/7 Warm Line for Youth (emotional support):
- 209-381-6800 or 1-888-334-0163 (toll free)
- Additional Behavioral Health resources: www.countyofmerced.com/3395/Behavioral-Health-Resources
- Reopen Merced County:
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