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CALIFORNIA
2:50 p.m.
California is reporting, as of May 28, 103,886 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,068 deaths. That’s an increase of 95 deaths and 2,189 cases compared to the day before. 1,835,478 tests have been conducted in the state.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
12:55 p.m.
The City of Santa Cruz is extending all parking permits through the end of June, 2020.
Monthly parking permits at downtown parking garages are extended through June with no payment required for this month. If a monthly permit parking holder has pre-paid the month of June, the city will credit a month of parking and extend the validity of the permit as appropriate. Regular monthly permit parking fees will be reinstated as of July 1. Existing residential parking permits that were set to expire on May 15, will be extended until July 1, at no charge. The city’s parking office reopens to the public on Monday, June 1.
11:40 a.m.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to approve a Stage 2 variance application to the state. If approved by the state, this will allow the county to move further into Stage 2 of California’s Resilience Roadmap to reopening. It would allow local restaurants to offer limited indoor/outdoor dine-in services with modifications. It would also allow barbershops and hair salons to offer limited services. Upon State approval, local Health Officers must issue orders allowing these operations to resume. The county says approval may take up to one week, though a response could come sooner.
MONTEREY COUNTY
2 :55 p.m.
Monterey County is reporting two new deaths from COVID-19 bringing the total number of fatalities to 10. The county is also reporting a total of 477 cases. 9,679 tests have been conducted.
2:20 p.m.
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital is using a drive-up/drive-thru system to screen and test people suspected of having COVID-19. This is in order to keep possible coronavirus patients separated from other hospital patients. Medical personnel doing testing are educating the public about isolating at home, if they test positive and don’t need to be hospitalized.
2:15 p.m
The drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Monterey Peninsula College is working with the county to increase its testing capacity. Planned Parenthood,who runs the site, says the site continues to be visited by lots of residents. The current capacity remains at 100 tests per day. The site is open Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Testing stops when they reach 100 tests for the day. Translation services are available on site.
1 p.m.
The Monterey County Health Department’s Environmental Health Bureau has released some guidelines for reopening restaurants if the state approves the county’s attestation to move further into Stage 2 of the roadmap to reopening. The department is also taking calls to guide restaurants through the process: (831) 755-4505.
12:50 p.m.
Nine of the more than 80 City of Monterey employees, scheduled to be laid off on Monday, June 1, are being reinstated. 6 full time and 2 part-time employees. The city says its thanks to the decision to restart paid parking. The city announced on May 28, it would begin paid parking enforcement in lots and on streets starting Tuesday June 2nd. Increased citation fees will take effect on June 1.
10:45 a.m.
This Monday, June 1, Monterey County Supervisor Jane Parker will hold her regular Hot Topics virtual meeting with a focus on childcare during the coronavirus pandemic. She will be joined by First Five Monterey County who will share resources for parents who are called back to work and are facing childcare challenges. This will be livestreamed on Facebook and Zoom.
10:30 a.m.
The City of Monterey will host a virtual town hall on Monday, June 1 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. to discuss the city’s fiscal year 2021 budget. They say they are facing a loss of $31 million over the span of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city says the pandemic has forced the temporary closure of many city facilities and community programs. If you want to actively participate in the town hall you must register. Otherwise you can watch it on Youtube.