Many cooling centers remain closed with extreme heat this week

Temperatures are still expected to reach up to 113° through this week. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the Coachella Valley through 7 p.m. Friday.

Cooling centers are remaining closed until June 1st. Jose Arballo is the pubic information specialist for Riverside County Public Health. He said, "In past years we have been able to open up a little sooner because of weather, if it heats up sooner than June 1st." But this year, new guidelines have them scrambling to even keep that date as the opening. Normally the amount of cooling centers throughout Riverside County would be 50-60, this year they will have 20 centers open. Locations of these centers will be released on Thursday. Arballo said, "We believe there's a location in every city in Coachella Valley."

They are taking extra measures with their centers to ensure the safety of those coming to cool down and staff members. They will be keeping up with social distancing, staff will be screening individuals coming in, and everyone will be required to wear a face mask. Arballo said this is one difference compared to before where guests would come in and just sign in a guest book. Facilities will still be providing water and snacks to guests.

While many of these locations are not open, The Well in the Desert in Palm Springs does remain open for people to seek shelter from the heat. Arlene Rosenthal is the president of Well in the Desert. She said, "We are open 365 days a year. Our people need a place to be and we are the place for them." She said they offer a variety of services, "We help all the people that need a helping hand. Whether they be marginally poor, low income wage earners, or homeless people." She also said, "I understand that Martha’s has this service there and I have heard there’s a place in Desert Hot Springs, other than that, I don't know."

For seniors who are worried about running their air conditioning, officials with Riverside County said they should run it. They have programs available through their offices to help pay for that extra cost. More information on those programs can be found through the Office on Aging and Community Action Partnership.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have live coverage today at 5 & 6 p.m. on KESQ News Channel 3.