Coronavirus Archives

Eisenhower Health’s Chief Medical Officer discusses staffing challenges amid COVID surge

January 11, 2022 8:58 PM Jesus Reyes

Riverside County surpasses 900 COVID hospitalizations as it breaks the positivity rate record

January 11, 2022 1:44 PM Jesus Reyes

Hospitalizations Since the county’s last report on Monday, there have been an additional 15 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. This brings the county’s total up to 901 hospitalizations. This marks the first time since Feb. 3, 2021 that the county has more than 900 COVID hospitalizations. A report by the county during Tuesday’s Board of

Local school districts dealing with COVID-19 as classes are back in session post-winter break

January 10, 2022 12:14 PM Marian Bouchot

Monday is the day classes are resuming for Coachella Valley and Palm Springs Unified School Districts after their three-week-long winter break. Desert Sands Unified School District started its second week of classes back after winter break. PSUSD PSUSD said it is handing out at-home COVID-19 testing kits to its students in their classrooms. However, it

Riverside County reports 4,364 new cases, 95 hospitalizations, & 0 deaths over the weekend

January 10, 2022 2:42 PM Jesus Reyes

Hospitalizations Riverside County’s COVID hospitalizations saw a big increase over the weekend. Since the county’s last report on Friday, there have been an additional 95 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. This brings the county’s total up to 886 hospitalizations. According to the county, unvaccinated patients accounted for 90% of COVID hospitalizations from July-Dec. 2021 It’s

CVUSD hosts vaccine clinics before classes resume Monday

January 8, 2022 9:47 AM Marian Bouchot

Coachella Valley Unified School District is getting ready for its students to return to school on Monday, Jan. 10. In an effort to be proactive and fight the rising COVID-19 cases in the area, the district is hosting a couple of vaccine clinics on Saturday. One of the clinics will be at the district’s office

Governor Newsom activates National Guard to bolster state’s COVID-19 testing capacity

January 7, 2022 7:55 PM Jesus Reyes

Governor Gavin Newsom has activated the California National Guard to support local communities with additional testing facilities and capacity amid the national surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant. “California has led the country’s fight against COVID-19, implementing first-in-the-nation public health measures that have helped save tens of thousands of lives,” Newsom said. “We

Palm Springs airport shifts to walk-up, appointment only testing after day of frustration

January 7, 2022 1:28 PM Jennifer Franco

The COVID-19 testing site at the Palm Springs International airport is no longer accepting drop-ins. The change Friday came a day after it experienced lengthy delays in getting individuals tested, leading some travelers to miss their flights. A spokesperson with the Covid Clinic told News Channel 3 that wait times were between 20 to 45

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert suspends indoor programs and activities

January 7, 2022 3:41 PM Jesus Reyes

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert will temporarily suspend its in-person activities and program due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in the community. The move goes into effect immediately. It will apply to both physical buildings, which are located in Palm Springs and Coachella. Officials said that the Winter Ocotillo Club Reception,

Riverside County nears 800 COVID hospitalizations; Highest since Feb 2021

January 7, 2022 2:42 PM Jesus Reyes

Hospitalizations Riverside County’s COVID hospitalizations numbers continue to climb. Since the county’s last report on Thursday, there have been an additional 19 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. This brings the county’s total up to 791 hospitalizations. It’s the highest number of COVID hospitalizations in Riverside County since Feb. 7, 2021. Since Dec. 7, Riverside County

Frustrations mount for travelers trying to get a COVID test in the Coachella Valley

January 6, 2022 9:03 PM Karen Devine, Jesus Reyes

Frustrations are mounting for people trying to get tested for Covid-19 in the Coachella Valley. Some trying to beat the 72-hour deadline for showing proof of a negative test for travel, others need proof for work. Long lines and wait times have many fed-up with the process. “The stuff I’ve seen in the last four hours here

CDC isolation guidance causes confusion

January 6, 2022 11:56 AM Samantha Lomibao

There is confusion nationwide, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut its recommended quarantine time in half for people who test positive for the coronavirus. “It’s so crazy, there’s so much confusion,” said L.A. resident Veronica Johnson, “No one knows what to do. Everyone has the mask, then they’re not wearing a mask.

Palm Springs closing city facilities, library to walk-in traffic starting Jan. 10

January 6, 2022 5:12 PM Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs will temporarily close city facilities to walk-in traffic beginning Monday, Jan. 10 due to a surge in COVID-19. City officials said the surge continues to impact the community at large as well as staff at City Hall. On Wednesday, the city announced that Mayor Lisa Middleton has tested positive for COVID-19. The following changes

Riverside County reports 1880 new cases, 12 deaths, & 59 hospitalizations since Wednesday

January 6, 2022 2:26 PM Jesus Reyes

Hospitalizations Riverside County continues to report big day-to-day increases in COVID hospitalizations. Since the county’s last report on Wednesday, there have been an additional 59 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. This brings the county’s total up to 772 hospitalizations. It’s the highest number of COVID hospitalizations in Riverside County since Feb. 7, 2021. Check Out:

US urges COVID boosters starting at age 12 to fight omicron

January 5, 2022 8:28 PM Associated Press

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MIKE STOBBE The U.S. is urging that everyone 12 and older get a COVID-19 booster as soon as they’re eligible, to help fight back the hugely contagious omicron mutant that’s ripping through the country. Boosters already were encouraged for all Americans 16 and older, but Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control

California extends indoor masking requirement to Feb. 15

January 5, 2022 2:25 PM Jesus Reyes, Jennifer Franco

California has extended its indoor masking requirement through February 15, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced on Wednesday. The current requirement was set to expire on January 15 but has been extended due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant. Ghaly said during Wednesday’s

‘The worst it’s ever been’: Surgeries canceled due to critical blood shortage, local donors needed

January 5, 2022 11:58 AM Madison Weil

Our local hospitals say the blood supply has reached a critical low because of the pandemic – some surgeries have even been postponed due to the crisis. “We will have to continue to postpone surgery if we’re not able to address the supply issue soon,” said Dr. Alan Williamson, Chief Medical Officer, Eisenhower Health. While

Riverside County reports more than 700 hospitalizations for first time since Feb. 2021

January 5, 2022 3:06 PM Jesus Reyes

Hospitalizations Riverside County has passed a grim milestone amid the recent COVID-19 surge brought about by the Omicron variant. Over the past 24 hours, Riverside County has reported an increase of 55 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. This brings the county’s total up to 713 hospitalizations. New: California extends indoor mask requirement through Feb. 15

Jury trials in Riverside County suspended until Jan. 28

January 5, 2022 12:34 PM Jesus Reyes

Jury trials in Riverside County have been temporarily suspended due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases brought about by the Omicron variant, officials announced on Wednesday. All civil and criminal jury trials have been suspended until January 28, 2022. “In light of the ease of transmission of the Omicron variant, conducting jury trials would

Local school districts navigate classes resuming as COVID-19 cases rise

January 5, 2022 11:54 AM Marian Bouchot

School districts in the valley are dealing with rising COVID-19 cases just as winter break is wrapping up. Here’s how each school district going about ensuring the safety of students and staff as classes resume: Palm Springs Unified School District PSUSD said in a statement to News Channel 3: “On Monday, Jan. 10 we are resuming

County public health officer talks rising Covid hospitalizations, high testing demand

January 4, 2022 9:13 PM Jesus Reyes

With Covid hospitalizations on the rise and testing still in high demand, the county says it is ramping things up. News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in-depth with public health officer, Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky.