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CALIFORNIA
12:50 a.m.
On June 23, California reported its largest one day increase in COVID-19 cases. 7,149 new cases were reported bringing the total to 190,222. Deaths from the coronavirus have reached 5,632 with a daily increase of 52. There have been 3,592,899 tests conducted in California. Local health departments have reported 13,737 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 85 deaths statewide.
9:45 a.m.
As of June 22, California has 183,073 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 5,580 have died from the coronavirus. That is a daily increase of 65 deaths and 5,019 cases. Local health departments have reported 13,546 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 85 deaths statewide. There have been 3,496,929 tests conducted in California.
SANTA CURZ COUNTY
9:55 a.m.
In Santa Cruz County, there are 330 known cases of COVID-19, as of June 24. That is an increase of 28 cases since June 21. Fatalities remain at two. 15,020 negative lab tests have been recorded. A total of 38 people have required hospitalization. 221 people have recovered from the virus.
9:40 a.m.
Santa Cruz County Public Health says it has received $9,000 to help Medi-Cal families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The county says they have received calls from residents reporting a decline in income, but also increased difficulty accessing basic necessities, diapers being at the top of the list. Many new parents, the county says, are not leaving the house for safety reasons, and do not have the financial or technological resources to order diapers on-line. This grant money allows diapers and baby wipes to be distributed to families in need.
MONTEREY COUNTY
7:20 p.m.
The City of Monterey and the Monterey County Food Bank are restarting their produce give-away program beginning Monday, June 29. The weekly program will be held at the large parking lot at El Estero Park Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone wanting to receive the produce must register.
4:15 p.m.
The City of Monterey says during the coronavirus pandemic they have distributed close to $700,000 to small businesses. To date, the city says it has supported 81 businesses with grants ranging between $5,000 - $20,000. The funds have come from the Parking and Tidelands Funds. More funds are still to be distributed, the city anticipates two more rounds of applications. The city has partnered with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation for Monterey County during this initiative.
9:50 a.m.
Monterey County is currently reporting 1,397 confirmed cases of COVID-19. That’s an increase of 56 cases over a 24 hour period. Fatalities remain at 12. 22,040 tests have been conducted. The test positivity rate is 6.34%. A total of 112 people have required hospitalization. 814 people have recovered from the coronavirus.
9:30 a.m.
The Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula or CHOMP’s infectious disease expert will be giving a talk on Facebook Live about COVID-19 next Wednesday, July 1. That talk will take place between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Dr. Martha Blum, the medical director of infection prevention at the hospital, will talk about the coronavirus and take questions from the community. CHOMP says Blum has helped lead their response to the pandemic. The Facebook Live session will be recorded for those who can’t attend. Community members can submit questions for consideration during the session or ahead of time.
9:25 a.m.
Natividad is inviting North Monterey County residents to get tested for COVID-19 in Castroville this Thursday, June 25 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The drive-thru testing site is located at the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast office (10550 Merritt St.) in Castroville. Testing is free and limited to the first 100 participants. You do not need to have symptoms to be tested. No identification or insurance card is required.
9:20 a.m.
The City of Monterey says the local Business Roundtable is reporting a sharp increase in visitors to the Monterey Peninsula. The business group says hotel occupancy in May averaged 31 percent. Occupancy reached 48 percent in mid-June and now ranges between 56 and 70 percent. The number of customers visiting Fisherman’s Wharf increased by 17 percent over the weekend. Fisherman’s Wharf is currently operating under a “no mask, no service” policy.