Coronavirus updates: Napa County announces first death due to coronavirus

A worker paints over a boarded up Louis Vuitton storefront on Monday, March 30, 2020, in San Francisco. A worker paints over a boarded up Louis Vuitton storefront on Monday, March 30, 2020, in San Francisco. Photo: Ben Margot/Associated Press Photo: Ben Margot/Associated Press Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close Coronavirus updates: Napa County announces first death due to coronavirus 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

LATEST, March 31, 6:40 p.m. Monterey County Office of Education announced Tuesday evening that the closure of school facilities will continue through the end of the academic year, according to KION-TV.

March 31, 4:45 p.m. Napa County confirmed its first death Tuesday as a result of the coronavirus. No other information is being released at this time due to confidentiality laws, county officials say.

“Our hearts go out to the patient’s family, and friends during this difficult time,” said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County Public Health Officer in the press release. “More than ever, it is crucial that we practice physical distancing, and if we are sick, even with mild illness, make every effort to self-isolate from others and follow the shelter at home order.”

March 31, 4:45 p.m. In the same press conference at the White House Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci clarified statements made about a potential coronavirus resurgence in the fall, saying, "when you talk about second wave you talk about two things that are a little bit different."

The first point is related to a second rise in cases during the current outbreak. "It's ... more an exacerbation of the current wave," Fauci said.

The second is "just the nature of a virus that's highly transmissible." In that instance, the coronavirus could be circulating in other parts of the world while cases in the U.S. are declining, which would mean the U.S. is entering a new phase.

"That's when you have to worry about the next season," Fauci continued. "That's when you use the experience you have, the interventions you've developed and hopefully a vaccine you can develop as fast as you possibly can."

March 31, 4:15 p.m. President Trump in a press conference Tuesday spoke to the potentially devastating impact of the coronavirus outbreak amongst the homeless population in California.

"They're looking at that very strongly," he said. "I know it It bothers Gavin; I don't know that it bothers Nancy Pelosi, but she's got it in her district at a very high level. They have to be very careful. They have a very big homeless population in an area where just a few years ago didn't have anybody in those areas and they're living in the streets. I know some people in California are working on that very hard."

March 31, 4:05 p.m. The Santa Rosa Police Department announced Tuesday that one of its officers, Detective Marylou Armer, died as a result of coronavirus complications, the Press Democrat reported.

Armer had served with the department for 20 years, and was among the first in the department to test positive for coronavirus.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a member of our SRPD family, Detective Marylou Armer," the Santa Rosa PD wrote in a statement. "Marylou has faithfully served our community, in the Santa Rosa Police Department for the past 20 years ... Our hearts are with the family and Marylou will be deeply missed."

March 31, 3:55 p.m. Staff members working at the San Francisco Examiner and the SF Weekly have been partially furloughed, says Deborah Petersen, editor-in-chief of the San Francisco Media Co.

Although readership has been at "record levels," Petersen wrote in an op-ed on the Examiner site, advertisers losing revenue nevertheless have been pulling out, leaving the company to more heavily rely on its membership program for operating costs.

"Unfortunately, many of our advertisers have been forced to close, or else they are significantly cutting expenses in an effort to stay afloat," she wrote. "And it is becoming clear that the battle to limit the spread of this deadly virus will take months, not weeks. Without the usual advertising revenues coming in, we have had to take dramatic steps to reduce our expenses."

March 31, 3:35 p.m. California schools will not reopen this school year, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond in a letter Tuesday. The message to county officials, obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, dictates the unlikeliness that schools will be able to reopen by the time scheduled summer breaks will begin.

The message also emphasized that schools would need to strengthen their distance learning programs to ensure students are kept on track.

March 31, 3:30 p.m. Three counties in the Bay Area announced additional cases of coronavirus Tuesday afternoon. Contra Costa County reported 10 more cases, bringing it to 222 and Solano County added six more cases, bringing the total to 49. Santa Clara County announced 42 new cases, bringing the total there to 890. Santa Clara also had two more deaths; the county death toll is now 30.

March 31, 2:35 p.m. President Donald Trump said in a press conference Monday that the federal government is holding onto a stock of 10,000 ventilators so that it will be ready to send to where they're needed.

"We have to hold them back because the surge is coming," Trump said. "We want to be able to immediately move into place without going in and taking it."

Trump also noted, however, that some ventilators had been sent "to Michigan, some to Louisiana." Others were sent to New York and New Jersey. (Pence later clarified that 400 ventilators had been sent to Michigan, 300 to New Jersey, 150 to Louisiana, 50 to Connecticut, "more than 450" to Illinois. FEMA, additionally, sent 4,400 to New York.)

Trump then spoke highly of California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom Trump said he had spoken with Monday night.

"In California, the Army Corps of Engineers is working to expand hospital capacity to 50,000 beds," Trump added. "[Newsom's] doing a really good job. We're in constant communication."

March 31, 1:50 p.m. Santa Cruz County announced several additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 49.

March 31, 1:15 p.m. The SFMTA provided an update on Tuesday afternoon regarding two of its operators testing positive for coronavirus. In a statement to SFGATE, the agency said it has been carefully following health guidelines.

"We’ve had protocols in place well before our first positive case, and have been in contact with the Dept. of Public Health, and have been following their guidelines to a T on how to respond," spokesperson Erica Kato said.

March 31, 12:45 p.m. Gov. Newsom provided updates to Californians Tuesday afternoon, speaking about new initiatives for seniors, up-to-date numbers about coronavirus cases and hospital resources, and the state's effort to rehire retired and former health care workers.

Newsom reported there have been 6,932 cases of coronavirus, with 150 deaths. A total of 1,617 needed hospitalization, with 657 of that number going to the ICU. He added that the state is still working on procuring N95 masks — there is "a purchase order out for 101 million" — as well as ventilators. To that end, though, Newsom announced Virgin Orbit, which is based in Southern California, has begun working on a ventilator prototype to be delivered in 48 hours.

"They met the call and are already in action prototyping respirators that are not as nuanced that so many of us are speaking of," Newsom said. "They deserve credit for being willing to reprioritize production efforts and look at meeting us where we need the most support."

Newsom also spoke to a recent call to former and retired health care workers to rejoin the front lines against the coronavirus outbreak. To his surprise, he said, the state received 25,000 applications from licensed individuals willing to be rehired into hospitals and other health care centers.

"Twenty-five thousand applications," Newsom said. "[They] said you know what, we’re ready to step up. That was extraordinary. In less than 24 hours."

The governor added that all will be vetted but not everyone will be employed, as not all will fit a current need.

Before signing off, Newsom also noted that the superintendent of California schools will likely announce a decision in the next day or two about whether or not schools will reopen before the end of the school year.

In addition, the state launched a new hotline program for the state's senior citizens in partnership with the AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Lung Association. The hotline will connect senior citizens with support services and outreach programs and provide answers about the ongoing coronavirus crisis. That number is 833-544-2374.

March 31, 11:30 a.m. Overnight, San Mateo County announced four new deaths due to complications from the coronavirus, making the death toll in the county 10. Six of those deaths have reportedly been women, running contrary to the notion that COVID-19 may be more likely to affect older men.

While all deaths were in individuals over 60, San Mateo County has recorded a high number of coronavirus cases in younger residents, including children. Seven people under the age of 20 have tested positive in the county. The county has 309 cases in total.

March 31, 11:15 a.m. Alameda County reported 30 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 294. Contra Costa County also released new numbers on cases, bringing the total there to 212.

March 31, 10:15 a.m. Burning Man, the annual Nevada festival due to take place in late August, has suspended ticket sales originally scheduled for April 1 and 8. No replacement dates were given.

"We understand you may have many related questions," organizers said in a post Monday. "We don’t have all of the answers (yet!), but we’re committed to continuing to communicate with you in a transparent and timely manner."

More information here.

March 31, 10:05 a.m. The Laguna Honda Hospital, which houses a large population of elderly residents, reported one additional positive case of coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the total there to 12. 10 of those cases are staff members, seven of which work directly with patients. Two residents also tested positive, though all staffers and residents are in good condition.

Still, the hospital expects to see more positive cases in the coming days and weeks, the city of San Francisco reports.

"From the very beginning, we’ve been extremely concerned about the potential for outbreaks in congregate living situations, especially locations with vulnerable populations like Laguna Honda, which is why our early actions were to restrict visitors from these locations," said Mayor Breed in a press release. "We have seen outbreaks in similar situations in other locations and we know that immediate action is needed to prevent the worst possible outcomes."

To combat the spread, the city has expanded protocols on cleaning and using PPE and added specialized personnel to the staff.

March 31, 10:00 a.m. The SFMTA has extended its limited service for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, temporarily eliminating trains and some rapid lines. The agency has also continued its suspension of enforcement of some parking violations. See all changes here.

March 31, 9:10 a.m. San Francisco reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday morning, bringing the county case total to 397. The death toll remains six.

March 31, 8:10 a.m. San Mateo County is preparing for a surge in coronavirus patients by converting the San Mateo Event Center into an emergency hospital. A delivery of supplies arrived Sunday and the National Guard will be on site Tuesday to set up 250 low-acuity beds.

"No patients will be immediately housed in the space but proactively standing it up now allows the County to be ready if and when more medical treatment space is required," the county said in a statement.

March 31, 8:05 a.m. On Tuesday morning, Shasta County health officials reported three more cases of COVID-19. The county total now stands at six; on Friday it was three.

March 31, 7:30 a.m. Public health officials reported five new cases and three additional deaths in Marin County on Monday evening.

Details on the patients who passed away weren't released. The county's case count now stands at 99 and death toll at four. There are currently 14 people hospitalized due to complications with the virus. A week ago, Marin had 38 cases and no deaths.

Marin's public health order asking residents to shelter in place has been extended until May 1.

"We will also be extending, strengthening and clarifying the public health order to close parks," said Marin Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora. "Unfortunately, even during a rainy weekend residents and visitors congregated at popular recreational areas across Marin."

Marin County officials last week announced that the county's public health officer was diagnosed with COVID-19. Dr. Matt Willis has been quarantined at home with his family since his symptoms first appeared late last week.

Santora provided an update on his condition and said, "He's continuing to recover at home."

Cumulative cases in the greater Bay Area:

ALAMEDA COUNTY: 294 confirmed cases, 7 deaths*

For more information on Alameda County cases, visit the public health department website.

*Number excludes infected patients in City of Berkeley, which has its own health department and 19 cases.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: 222 confirmed cases, 3 deaths

For more information on Contra Costa County cases, visit the public health department website.

LAKE COUNTY: 0 confirmed cases

For information on Lake County and coronavirus, visit the public health department website.

MARIN COUNTY: 102 confirmed cases, 3 deaths

Fore more information on Marin County cases, visit the public health department website.

MONTEREY COUNTY: 42 confirmed cases, 2 deaths

For more information on Monterey County cases, visit the public health department website.

NAPA COUNTY: 15 cases, 1 death

For more information on Napa County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN BENITO COUNTY: 21 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on San Benito County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY: 397 confirmed cases, 6 deaths

For more information on San Francisco County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN MATEO COUNTY: 309 confirmed cases, 10 deaths

For more information on San Mateo County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY: 890 confirmed cases, 30 deaths

Fore more information on Santa Clara County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: 49 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Santa Cruz County cases, visit the public health department website.

SOLANO COUNTY: 49 confirmed cases

For more information on Solano County cases, visit the public health department website.

SONOMA COUNTY: 78 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Sonoma County cases, visit the public health department website.

In California, 175 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University.

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Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.