Coronavirus Cases Exceed 100 In Riverside County, 8 Dead

This article originally appeared on the Temecula Patch

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Coronavirus "will eventually impact someone you love," warned the chairman of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors during a press briefing Wednesday morning in the Coachella Valley where it was announced there are additional confirmed cases of the illness countywide and many more expected in the coming days and weeks.

The death toll also increased, it was announced.

As of Wednesday evening, there are 107 coronavirus cases countywide, and the death toll stands at eight. Seven of deaths occurred in the Coachella Valley, but the latest was a man in his 70s living in an area public health officials call the county's mid-region, which includes Banning, Hemet and Anza, according to Jose Arballo, spokesman for the Riverside University Health System.

V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District chairman, told reporters Wednesday that the county is planning for a surge in cases.

"The virus doesn't discriminate," he said, as he urged people to follow state and local orders regarding social distancing and closures.

Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Alberto Gutierrez confirmed Tuesday night that a worker at a Moreno Valley Amazon fulfillment center is among those who tested positive for the disease.

"It is not known if the worker lives in the City of Moreno Valley because everyone's personal medical information is considered private. The worker is undergoing treatment, and several co-workers have been directed to self-quarantine and are under observation by health officials," Guttierez said.

This week officials also announced that Riverside County is just one of eight counties statewide to receive a federal medical station. The supplies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used to erect two 125-bed makeshift hospitals that will house non-ICU patients in Indio and western Riverside County while area hospitals treat those sickened by COVID-19.

Local officials hope the effort will help ease the burdens on hospitals, which are already seeing an increased patient load due to the illness. READ MORE: Makeshift Hospitals Opening In Riverside County Amid Coronavirus

Three Southwest Riverside County hospitals — Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, and Temecula Valley Hospital in Temecula — also announced this week they are accepting donations of medical supplies due to potential shortages caused by COVID-19. READ MORE: 3 SW Riverside County Hospitals Accepting Supplies' Donations

Police are also warning that with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, people should be wary of "scams, cons and dishonesty." READ MORE: Coronavirus Fake Cops, Scammers: CHP Warns After Idyllwild Arrest

The National Guard was also deployed to the Coachella Valley this week, where they have been assisting a dwindling volunteer workforce at the region's largest food bank amid the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE: National Guard Arrives In Coachella Valley To Assist Food Bank On Wednesday morning, the Guard also began setting up one of the makeshift hospitals at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio.

County officials also released an updated list defining "essential services" that may remain open during Gov. Gavin Newsom's "stay-at-home" order. Additionally, on Tuesday, officials updated an FAQ that helps answers common questions about state and local orders.

Cities across Riverside County have implemented local emergency measures synthesized with the county's requirements and recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, and closures continue to be announced. However, while city facilities are shut down, most city services continue; residents and businesses may still contact cities via phone or online for services.

Palm Springs officials on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of all golf courses, trails and public parks within city limits. And new restrictions went into effect in Palm Springs barring all vacation rentals or hotel stays, unless they are related to COVID-19 response efforts. Violators can be fined $5,000 for their first offense, $10,000 for their second and $25,000 for their third, the order reads.

Rancho Mirage city officials on Monday issued a similar order that also barred temporary rentals, which is set to remain in effect until June 1 unless amended earlier.

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