Virus notes: July 3, 2020: medical politicians
MERCED (BLJ) – Merced County Public Health Department on July 3 reported 1,208 cases (156 new since July 1) of Covid 19, and 11 deaths.
California reported 248,235 cases (8,040 new) and 6,263 deaths (100 new).
Arizona reported 87,425 cases (3,333 new) and 1,757 deaths (37 new).
Texas reported 175,977 cases (7,915 new) and 2,525 deaths (44 new).
Florida reported 178,594 cases (9,488 new) and 3,684 deaths (67 new).
The United States reported 2,844,072 cases (102,231 new) and 131,416 deaths (1,269 new).
The global report for the day is 10,874,146 cases (179,858 new) and 521,355 deaths (5,145 new).
United States accounts for 26 percent of the global cases, and 25 percent of the global deaths from the virus.
Brazil reported 1,539,081 cases (82,112 new) and 63,174 deaths (2,361 new).
Russia reported 667,883 cases (6,718 new) and 9,859 deaths (176 new).
The UK reported 313,483 cases and 44,131 deaths (225 new).
Mexico reported 238,511 cases (6,741 new) and 29,189 deaths (679 new).
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Mixed messaging brought Merced County to this point. -- blj
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 20, 2020
Merced County Department of Public Health Attestation Approved to Move into Stage 2.5
MERCED COUNTY, CA – The Department of Public Health (Department) is pleased to announce that Merced County is now approved to move more quickly through Stage 2 of California’s Roadmap for reopening. The approval is posted on the California Department of Public Health website and is available for public review at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/County_Variance...
“We are pleased that several businesses will return to a new sense of normalcy,” said Dr. Salvador Sandoval, Merced County’s Public Health Officer. “As we prepare to move forward and start to slowly re-open, it is imperative that we all follow the safety measures in place. This is a new normal and the County cannot afford to let its guard down. The Department is committed to the health and safety of each individual in our County. This disease remains prevalent in our community.”
Merced County is now in Stage 2.5, which allows additional business sectors to reopen with modified operations that include safety and social distancing precautions. The business sectors cleared in Stage 2.5 will be opened over the next two-week period. Businesses will need to review State requirements and prepare a plan to show customers and employees that they’ve implemented appropriate safety plans. Sector-specific guidance for business owners is available at: www.reopenmercedcounty.com/guidelines/. Public Health officials strongly encourage business owners to refer to the website for further detail on how to safely reopen. If an outbreak or cluster of two or more COVID-19 cases occurs in a local restaurant or other business, the Department is required to publicly report that information in order to identify other people who may have been exposed. Business owners and patrons alike are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing and health protocols to help prevent an uptick in cases. Schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic school year. The Department is collaborating with school districts to modify graduation plans and to develop safe practices for reopening in the Fall of 2020. Gatherings should continue to be limited to 10 or fewer individuals. Phase 2.5 does not allow mass gatherings of any kind, including religious services at this time. Incorporated cities within Merced County can adopt stricter criteria than the County, but cannot legally be less strict. Businesses included in Stages 3 and 4 who have state licensure cannot legally open without risk to that licensure. The County is not involved in State licensure in any way. For additional information pertaining to COVID-19, please visit the Department’s resource website at www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirus or call the Department information line at 209-381-1180 (English, Spanish, Hmong).
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