Due to the increase of the Coronavirus and confirmed cases in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, City News Group will begin to shorten its weekly printing of our papers. We sincerely apologize for the changes that you will see in our newspapers, but due to the growing pandemic and being short-staffed, we have to make the necessary steps to abide guidelines and take all the necessary precautions.
We will continue to provide our local communities with updated information on the Coronavirus and the impact it is having on our cities. All of the information about the Coronavirus within your county and city will be provided on the City News Group website: Citynewsgroup.com.
As of March 16, during a press conference, President Trump announced that White House officials highly recommend that all Americans should avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, avoid eating and drinking in restaurants, bars, and food courts, and to not travel if possible, saying shortly after that “Whatever it takes, we’re doing.”
Amb. Deborah Birx, the White House’s point person of the Coronavirus taskforce provided more details of the guidelines for the next 15 days, Birx announced that the one thing that everyone needs to focus on is “if you are sick, no matter who you are, stay home.”
Birx also urged everyone, especially Millennial's, to take part in the efforts and uphold the guidelines as to help contain the virus and slow and eventually stop its spreading. The White House Coronavirus task force appealed to all Americans and specified that they really want people to be separated at this time.
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom on Sunday March 15, 2020, announced the state’s guidelines and “profoundly significant steps” to limit the spread of the virus.
“We need to meet this moment aggressively,” Mr. Newsom said. “The most important thing is to protect our most vulnerable.”
In order to protect our most vulnerable, the Governor called for the isolation of all residents of 65 years or older. In addition, all Bars, nightclubs, wineries, brew pubs and the like should close and restaurants should cut their occupancy in half and keep customers at least six feet apart from each other.
The governor mentioned that even though there have been no enforcement measures yet, they may be in the foreseeable future if the current guidelines are not followed. These guidelines were issued the same day that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. However, this recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses.
On March 17, 2020 at 2:26 pm, Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued a Health Officer's Order that prohibits all gatherings within the county. The order states: All public and private gatherings of any number of people, including at places of work, occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. However, nothing i this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit. For the full order please visit: cms.ocgov.com
In addition, on March 17, 2020 the City of Palm Springs, during an Emergency City Council Meeting, issued a new emergency order, under the City Manager, a declaration of a local emergency advising all residents to shelter-in-place and limit activities to only those essential to their daily lives and to close to the public all non-essential businesses, excluding a list of 21 essential businesses which will be outlined in the emergency order and posted on the City’s website later during the day on March 17. A partial list of essential businesses includes grocery stores, health services, pharmacies, banks and gas stations. The emergency order is effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 7 a.m. and will remain in effect until April 2, 2020, when the City Council will consider if an extension is necessary.
“There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our residents, workforce, and visitors,” said Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors. “Given the rapid spread of COVID-19, and the long incubation period, the action of the City Council closing all non-essential businesses and having people stay in place will help prevent more infections, illnesses and deaths. The faster we all take proactive measures the faster we will get through this, saving lives and helping residents, workers and businesses get through this with the least amount of harm. I want to thank our City Staff, especially our public safety professionals, health care workers, businesses and residents who have acted with such kindness and concern for each other. We are in this together and we will get through it together.”
San Bernardino County School Districts have been issued to close from March 16 through April 3 and Riverside County has been issued to close from March 16 though April 30, unless conditions call for an extension.
The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools on March 15 announced that Several San Bernardino County school districts will be closed to students beginning March 16 in efforts to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Some of the districts include: Colton Joint Unified, Fontana Unified, Ontario/Montclair Unified, Redlands Unified, Rialto Unified, San Bernardino Unified, and Upland unified. For the full list of San Bernardino County school districts that have been closed please visit: https://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/
Similarly, on March 13, The Riverside County Public Health officer ordered all Riverside County school districts to close effective Monday, March 16. For more information and the status of child care and preschool programs please visit: https://www.rcoe.us/
San Bernardino County released news that on March 15 that the first case of novel coronavirus was recorded in San Bernardino County. On March 17, the county announced their second confirmed case.
The first case appeared in a Kaiser Fontana patient who returned from London, U.K., during the week of March 8. San Bernardino County reported its second case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a 54-year-old male with underlying health conditions who had come into contact with persons who had recently traveled from Washington state.
“This case does not change our level of readiness or response and it should not increase alarm among the public,” said Acting County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson. “The health risk from COVID-19 to the general public in San Bernardino County remains low at this time, but everyone is strongly urged to engage in practices that reduce the risk of spread.”
On March 7, Riverside County announced the first case of locally acquired novel coronavirus and as of March 17 at 3:30 pm, Riverside County has 16 confirmed cases.
On March 16, 2020, Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser announced the first two deaths associated with coronavirus (COVID-19). Both deaths occurred among patients in the Coachella Valley.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the two patients,” said Kaiser. “Sadly, these outcomes are expected as we face a serious challenge and continue to make the necessary decisions to protect the health of the community.” In addition, Kaiser today revised his previous order restricting public gatherings from 250 people or greater to no more than 10.
Our neighbors in Northern California have taken drastic steps to stop the spreading of the virus. On Monday March 16, Mayor London Breed of San Francisco ordered that the City will legally prohibit residents from leaving their homes except to meet basic needs including visiting the doctor, or buying groceries or medicine, until at least April 7.
Both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties urge citizens to wash your hands frequently, stay home when you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes and avoid public gatherings.
Be sure to watch for symptoms. The CDC has reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
If you are feeling sick or suspect that you have the virus, the CDC urges you to stay home except to get medical care.
- Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
- Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
- Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect: Practice routine cleaning of high touch surfaces.
- High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
- Disinfect areas with bodily fluids: Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.
- Household cleaners: Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
- Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
- Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
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