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MONTEREY COUNTY
10:55 a.m.
Monterey County is reporting, as of July 3, 1,791 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which have resulted in 15 deaths. That’s an increase of 43 cases and no deaths over a 24-hour period. 1,154 people have recovered from the virus and 137 have required hospitalization. 27,358 tests have been conducted.
10:20 a.m.
California Department of Public Health officials placed Monterey county on the COVID-19 County Data Monitoring watch list on Thursday. this in response to elevated disease transmission and hospitalizations. If the county remains on the watch list for 3 or more consecutive days, the state will require Monterey County to close all bars, and pubs, both indoors and outdoors, for at least three weeks. In addition, the state will require closure of indoor operations for dine-in restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, and more. Factors that keep Monterey County on the list include case rates and hospitalizations.
10:15 a.m.
Local and state beaches throughout Monterey County will be closed or have limited access over the Fourth of July weekend. The closures begin today (July 3) and will remain in effect through Sunday. Monterey County officials say this was a coordinated public health effort among peninsula cities and California State Parks over anticipated crowds at the beach.
Monterey: beaches closed, ocean activity is allowed
Pacific Grove: beaches closed, ocean activity allowed
Carmel: beaches closed
Pebble Beach: 17 Mile Drive closed to tourist traffic, all ocean activity closed
California State Parks: beaches closed, ocean activity allowed
10:10 a.m.
The City of Pacific Grove is implementing a temporary closure of Ocean View Boulevard turnouts, Lovers Point Park and Lovers Point beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. The closures take effect today (Friday, July 3) and will last through Sunday, July 5. The city is expecting an influx of visitors to the coastline over the holiday weekend. Due to increasing COVID-19 cases in California, the city says they’re implementing these measures to try and minimize the impacts of the coronavirus.
The western Lovers Point Beach will remain open for water recreational activities such as surfing and swimming. Sitting or sunbathing on the beach is not allowed. The Pacific Grove Recreation Trail and Ocean View Boulevard remain open for walking, running and bicycling if people practice social distancing. The city says the public must wear masks or face coverings in these highly visited areas.
10:05 a.m.
ECHO Housing is hosting a webinar about Monterey County’s Eviction Moratorium. It will take place on July 9 at 5:30 p.m. The webinar aims to answer questions for tenants and property owners. Those interested can register here. A webinar in Spanish is available to watch anytime.
CALIFORNIA
10:55 a.m.
In California, as of July 1, there are 240,195 confirmed cases of COVID-19, that have resulted in 6,163 deaths. That’s a daily increase of 4,056 new cases and 73 deaths. The rate of positive tests over the last 14 days is 6.3 percent. California’s hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased by 159 from June 30. More than 4.3 million tested have been conducted.
10:45 a.m.
CAL FIRE says they are taking a zero tolerance stand against anyone in possession of or transporting illegal fireworks. They say, every year hundreds of injuries and fires are caused by illegal and misused fireworks. A recent statewide operation, conducted between June 26 and June 30, resulted in 29 felonies, 165 misdemeanor citations, 25 infractions and the confiscation of over 48,440 pounds of illegal fireworks. Fireworks that are illegal in California are those that explode, leave the ground, or move about the ground uncontrollably. Illegal fireworks include skyrockets, bottle rockets, and roman candles. Anyone caught with illegal fireworks could face severe fines and even arrest.
10:20 a.m.
California Public Health Officials are warning people to not gather with family and friends over the Fourth of July weekend to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Health officials say these gatherings are playing a significant role in the spread of the coronavirus. They say any events that include people who do not live together should not happen.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
11 a.m.
In Santa Cruz County, as of July 3, there are 417 known cases of COVID-19. Fatalities remain at three. On July 2, 4 new cases were reported. There are currently 154 known active cases and a total of 49 people have required hospitalization. 17,878 negative lab test results have been recorded.
10:20 a.m.
Health officials in Santa Cruz County and other Bay Area communities are urging residents to celebrate from home this holiday weekend. They say gatherings with people from outside your household is risky. They’re recommending people stay home as much as possible, practice physical distancing, wear face coverings when heading out, and to wash your hands frequently. Health officials are also recommending that people get tested for COVID-19.