The first COVID-19 related death has hit Lake County and another in Mendocino County. The Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace reports they’re still investigating but what they know is the person who died was at home ill, an ambulance was called, and they died in the Emergency Department. They later tested positive for coronavirus. The infections are also on the rise, with another case reported today for a total of 86 cases. In Mendocino County, the death confirmed by Dr. Noemi Doohan, per the news site Red Headed Blackbelt. That person died after contracting the infection after volunteering in the kitchen at the Assembly of God church in Mendocino County. He died at a rehab facility in Marin County, according to our Public Health Officer, Dr. Doohan. There are 4 people in the hospital with the infection in Lake County. Dr. Pace says they’re still investigating an outbreak of infections in a farmworker community and says given the outbreak, and now a death, to be extra vigilant this 4th of July holiday weekend, recommending celebrating at home with immediate household members.
Clear Lake at the top of a new list of the best places to fish for bass. Bassmaster Magazine has Clear Lake at the top of their annual rankings. Lake Co News reports the magazine had six California fisheries in its top 100 list: Clear Lake, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, Lake Havasu, Berryessa, Shasta and New Melones. The editor in chief tells the news site, they used research and rankings from the past eight years for the rankings because they couldn’t use tournaments from this year due to COVID. Clear Lake has never topped their list. The top five this year: 1. Clear Lake, California; 2. Lake Guntersville, Alabama; 3. Lake Erie, New York/Ohio/Pennsylvania/Michigan; 4. Lake St. Clair, Michigan and 5. Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, California
A fire at the Lakeport transfer station didn’t move far. On Wednesday firefighters reported to the transfer station around 8 p.m. and brought the fire under control quickly with Kelseyville and Northshore Fire working with Lakeport. There was no major damage to the building, just some siding will need to be replaced. The cause of the fire is blamed on either improperly disposed of rechargeable batteries or barbecue ashes. The company is reminding not to dump hazardous material along with regular garbage, yard waste or recycling and not to take it to the transfer station. It’s not the first time the transfer station caught ablaze, in September 2014 and June 2015.
Lake County’s got the same number of COVID cases as neighboring Mendocino now, 85. No new cases for Mendocino County, but six more in Lake. Of the 85 in Lake, 44 are active and four remain in the hospital. In Mendocino, 9 are active and in isolation. None in the hospital.
Lead has been found in the water at some schools in Humboldt County. CALPIRG, a nonprofit in the state says it could be potentially dangerous levels of lead found at Pacific Coast High in Arcata, which had the highest levels of all in the county, 91 parts per billion, that’s more than six times what would have the federal Environmental Protection Agency taking immediate action. Trinidad Elementary was next with 35 parts per billion, twice the amount the EPA considers dangerous. CALPIRG reports however, that both schools are already doing what they can to reverse the levels found in tests last year. The other schools in the area noted, Big Lagoon Elementary, Redway Elementary, Hydesville Elementary, Six Rivers Montessori, Ridgewood Elementary, Loleta Elementary and Union Street Charter.
Bars in wineries closing in Humboldt County to slow the spread of infections ahead of the holiday weekend. 19 wineries and bars have been certified to reopen, but some offering food are listed as dine in restaurants. The state is mandating many across the state close their bars this weekend. So some, the news site says are just not reopening right away, because they’ll close for a time, then reopen again. Others are staying open for to go orders as they’ve been up to now. The bar and restaurant owners interviewed for this story said they were also concerned about folks leaving town and potentially bringing the virus back with them after 4th festivities.
Health experts across the state say the state has landed back in the same position it was in three months ago when the coronavirus pandemic first surfaced. Cases and hospitalizations are surging in Calif. And earlier this week the state had it’s second highest rate of deaths. An epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco says more infections are happening than anticipated as the state started reopening businesses. Beaches and beach parking lots are closed across the coast. The Gov. has put strict new – old rules in place, closing some businesses back down ahead of the holiday weekend and a new public service campaign to remind folks to wear a mask to save others. Fourth of July parades, celebrations and fireworks shows were canceled across the state ahead of the latest surge as officials urge residents to use caution, and celebrate at home, with social distancing and masks with non-household members.
The City of Willits in a council meeting made an announcement about COVID in wastewater. The City Manager Stephanie Garrabrant-Sierra says there was a small amount of the virus in a test June 16th in one test, none in another. The tests were paid for by an anonymous donor. Only trace amounts were found though and no word how this information can inform the public on where or how many cases are in the city. One councilmember says it was a very low concentration and does not appear to show community spread of the virus. The city manager also says the drinking water is safe and clear and goes thru very strict state and federal standards treatment before landing in anyone’s home. Still the council reminded the public to stay vigilant with coronavirus guidelines like wearing a mask and socially distancing and hand washing.
Some businesses way up north who’ve filed insurance claims for business interruption say they were denied claims. The businesses noted in Redding are now being represented by a local law firm, they include doctor’s offices, restaurants and retail stores. The law firm says some businesses who have been paying for business interruption coverage are still being denied reimbursement. They’re finding many policies don’t have an exclusion for viruses or pandemics, but are still saying no to the claims. The lawyers say they’re looking at policies for free and advising.
Hundreds of reports of discrimination and harassment against Asian Americans in California after the pandemic exploded. A site where folks can self report hate incidents shows 832 incidents. Of those about 10% included assault and more than 60 incidents with possible civil rights violations. The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council released the report Wednesday. It shows women were two times more likely experience the discrimination and harassment, some things said included, they should go back to China with their dirty diseases, take the disease home, and in one instance a dog was kicked and they were spit at. The organizers of the site have asked the Gov. to put together a Racial Bias Strike Team .
One of the earlier counties in the state to reopen, and without the blessing of the state, is closing, partly. Yolo County getting stricter with indoor businesses, even though the state has not told them to. But there were recently 29 new cases for a total of 555. The county public information officer says they’ve had an increase the last two weeks of about a third of their total numbers and a 7% positivity rate. So they’re closing bowling alleys and in-door dining at restaurants, bars, wine tasting rooms and movie theaters – but gyms can stay open. The new orders for three weeks, maybe longer, if their numbers don’t improve.
An inmate at San Quentin State Prison has died and officials are trying to find out if it was from coronavirus. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reports 75-year-old Joseph Cordova who was on death row for murdering an 8 year old girl, was found dead in his cell without signs of trauma. The coroner will check for COVID-19. It comes the same day as a hearing with the legislature who berated state corrections officials for bungling a coronavirus outbreak. There have been 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases at San Quentin which is being blamed on an inmate transfer which took place after test results that were outdated.
The state has restricted many activities because of a surge in cases again, but not in church, sort of. You may not sing or chant. That’s according to new guidelines issued by the state Department of Public Health which mandates churches and other houses of worship stop singing and chanting. In May the reopening of houses of worship said they SHOULD discontinue chanting and singing or performances, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says shouting or singing can spread the coronavirus as easily as coughing or sneezing. You may recall back in May when we had some cases pop up from a church in Ukiah, which was a virtual service, but there was singing happening there.
Mendocino College has announced all virtual classes in the Fall. When the new semester starts Aug. 17th, they will be an all remote learning environment the college announced, for the safety of students to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Dir. Of Community Relations and Communication for the school says it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but the teachers have been creative converting their classes. There will be minimal in person meetings with faculty for students and any classes requiring in person learning are being structured differently. When they have to meet in person, they will be in large rooms, with plenty of space for social distancing and any hands on work, like in their physical therapy program, they will wear masks and possibly face shields too.
