Coronavirus
Dringk closing after owner says he was threatened over social distancing and face masks
A social media firestorm has been ignited over social distancing and face coverings at Dringk Eatery and Bar at The River in Rancho Mirage. The owner, speaking exclusively to News Channel 3’s Jake Ingrassia, said he is closing his business’s doors until further notice after reportedly receiving violent threats. “The violent and absolutely insane death
Continue ReadingRiverside County reports 474 new coronavirus cases, one less hospitalization since Tuesday
Health officials released the latest coronavirus data showing cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and recoveries across Riverside County. Download the News Channel 3 app on Apple or Google Play to be alerted on major coronavirus updates and local breaking news. Riverside County reported 474 new cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 14,904 with over 196,000 tested. 7,154
Continue ReadingGov. Newsom encourages face masks, says coronavirus ‘didn’t take summer vacation’
Governor Gavin Newsom delivered an update Wednesday morning on the state of California’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. News Channel 3 brought the news conference live to viewers on air and online. Governor Newsom began the update with a reminder that “we are still in the first wave” of the coronavirus pandemic. He said California
Continue ReadingCalifornia coronavirus update from Governor Newsom
Governor Gavin Newsom discussed sharp increases in hospitalizations and positive cases across California. There was a 69% increases in positive cases between Sunday to Tuesday statewide. Newsom said a lot of the new cases are from increases in the Bay Area, but he did mention other counties, including Riverside County, as having recent increases. There
Continue ReadingPalm Springs could revoke business licenses for mask violations
Palm Springs is getting tougher on face coverings for restaurants and other businesses. The city already has some of the most stringent requirements in the valley, and city officials are now warning that businesses’ licenses could be revoked if the rules aren’t being followed. “I think people are just concerned, as they should be, about
Continue ReadingDr. Tannous discusses ‘significant increase’ in coronavirus cases
Both Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital say they’re seeing a “significant increase” in coronavirus patients, marking the highest numbers since the pandemic began. Doctors are concerned it’s going to get worse. News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Dr. Ziad Tannous, pulmonologist at DRCM, to learn more about the status at both
Continue ReadingCalifornia Pizza Kitchen on El Paseo closed after worker tests positive for coronavirus
An employee at the California Pizza Kitchen on El Paseo in Palm Desert tested positive for coronavirus, a spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. The restaurant will remain closed so the building can be deep cleaned and sanitized. A spokesperson told News Channel 3’s Taban Sharifi that the employee was “completely asymptomatic” when they were working at
Continue ReadingHow it works: Contact tracing in Riverside County
Riverside County has been contact tracing for coronavirus as places are re-opening to determine people who have been exposed to coronavirus without knowing it. They are using contact tracers to stop the spread of coronavirus. Barbara Cole is the director of public health’s disease control branch. She said the process starts with case investigators. These
Continue ReadingRiverside County reports over 600 new coronavirus cases since Monday
Health officials released the latest coronavirus data showing cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and recoveries across Riverside County. Download the News Channel 3 app on Apple or Google Play to be alerted on major coronavirus updates and local breaking news. Riverside County reported 631 new cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 14,431 with nearly 194,000 tested. 7,009
Continue ReadingPalm Springs City Hall employee tests positive for coronavirus
The city of Palm Springs announced that an employee at city hall tested positive for coronavirus. According to Perry Mason, the city’s director of human resources said that all employees who had direct contact with this person will be tested and remain in quarantine at home. City hall remains closed to the public at this
Continue ReadingSummer camp kicks off with pandemic precautions
The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) kicks off their 5-week kids summer camp on June 22. This is the 24th year of the camp, but this year will look different. The camp will be following additional health guidelines and government regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Classes will be limited in size with social distancing and all
Continue ReadingLifeStream now testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies
LifeStream Blood Bank is now testing all successful blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Dr. Rick Axelrod, President and CEO of LifeStream, says the need for donations during the pandemic remains very high. “We really need our donors to continue to come in,” said Axelrod. He explained now that hospitals have resumed surgeries and other elective
Continue ReadingCoachella Valley school districts use surveys to prepare for next school year
Local school districts are asking parents what they think about the upcoming school year and trying to get input on how schools should handle the threat of coronavirus. Parents are concerned about how local districts will handle back-to-school amid the pandemic. “It is hard as a working parent,” said Myra Garcia. “I don’t know if
Continue ReadingAs cases and hospitalizations spike, businesses worry of another shutdown
For another week in a row, cases and hospitalizations are both trending higher in Riverside County – and as a result, the state is now carefully monitoring county coronavirus metrics. The number of coronavirus cases per week hit a record high in the last seven days, with 882 total. It makes sense, given a weekly
Continue ReadingState monitors Riverside County as coronavirus numbers continue to rise
Dr. Ghaly said in a news conference Monday that the State was monitoring eleven counties including Riverside and San Bernardino as case numbers continue to rise. Dr. Ghaly pointed out that this rise in numbers was not just due to a rise in testing but showed a rise in community spread. New numbers for Riverside
Continue ReadingRiverside Superior Court to live stream proceedings due to pandemic health concerns
Riverside Superior Court will begin live streaming the audio of “non-confidential court proceedings” starting Monday, according to Marita Ford, Public Information Officer. This decision is made “in an effort to balance the right to view public court proceedings with the overall health and safety of the public, court participants, judicial officers and court employees in
Continue ReadingWildfire smoke during coronavirus impacts fire crews and those at home
California is in fire season and wildfire smoke pollution impacts health of fire fighters and those at home. Scientists recently discovered that exposure to smoke waves increases influenza risks the following winter, and experts fear the same may hold true for COVID. Captain Fernando Herrera, public information officer with Riverside County Fire Department and Cal Fire said,
Continue ReadingCathedral City continues discussion on budget cuts due to economic shutdown in special meeting
Cathedral City continues its discussion on budget cuts in another city council special meeting on Monday. The city, like many, is facing a budget deficit due to the economic shutdown. The city has come up with a detailed proposal showing their budget breakdown and how they plan to save money. That proposal suggests the elimination
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