Our Response to COVID-19: Information
Globally
Good evening,

June 15, 2020: Globally, the last seven days have all reported over 120,000 daily coronavirus infections, peaking at 144,571 last Thursday. As the world passed the 8 million mark of cumulative COVID-19 cases earlier today, the global acceleration of the spread means that we will probably reach 9 million confirmed infections a week from today. Although the fatality reports have been steadily declining, the world is likely to reach half a million coronavirus fatalities in two weeks.

Tip: click on any of the graphs for larger and clearer images and click on READ MORE to view the complete articles.
  • COVID-19 Global cases: 8,112,577 (+128,145)
  • COVID-19 Global deaths: 439,050 (+3,873)
  • COVID-19 Global death rate: 5.41%
  • COVID-19 Global tests (est.): 114,666,822 (+2,063,912) 

*:incomplete data set
The Best Global Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s June, and the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic has now shifted to the Americas, according to the World Health Organization. As the world transitions into the next stage of the global pandemic, now is the time to reflect on which countries handled the initial outbreak response better than others—both as an example for... READ MORE
Global Forecast
In the US
On Friday, the United States coronavirus cases ended the day well above the 25,000 mark, with last week's highest daily total at 26,758. I am happy to report that the national total is closer to, yet still above 20,000 this evening. The north east corridor has been confirming its downward progress, but southern and western states are persistently showing aggressive spread, instates such as California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Utah, even Washington, which, a month ago, had reduced its daily spread down to double digits, showing today unwelcome renewed COVID-19 activity (+577). A positive note: today's and yesterday's national fatality reports were the lowest in a week.

Click on the image to view the tabled data.

  • COVID-19 USA cases: 2,182,931 (+20,877)
  • COVID-19 USA deaths: 118,282 (+429)
  • COVID-19 USA death rate: 5.42%
  • COVID-19 USA testing: 25,241,128 individual tests
  • COVID-19 USA positivity rate: 8.65%
Florida data:

  • 77,326 cases (+1,758)
  • 2,938 deaths (+4)
  • death rate: 3.80%
  • 1,431,164 tests
  • positivity rate: 5.40%
Washington data:

  • 26,901 cases (+577)
  • 1,224 deaths (+7)
  • death rate: 4.55%
  • 471,265 tests
  • positivity rate: 5.71%
Alabama data:

  • 26,772 cases (+657)
  • 774 deaths (+1)
  • death rate: 2.95%
  • 302,674 tests
  • positivity rate: 8.68%
Utah data:

  • 14,608 cases (+295)
  • 143 deaths (+4)
  • death rate: 0.98%
  • 272,938 tests
  • positivity rate: 5.35%
In California
'We are not out of the woods yet,' Newsom says of coronavirus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to remind Californians on Monday that the state is continuing to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. "We are not out of the woods yet," Newsom said during his briefing. There have been more than 5,000 COVID-19 deaths in California. Last week, nine counties reported a spike in new cases or hospitalizations. READ MORE

California has been reporting high numbers of new cases, and today was no exception (+ 2,805). Thankfully, the state's fatalities reports have been on the decline, ending the day with 29 new covid victims. Also noteworthy, the tests' positivity rate has been declining steadily.

  • COVID-19 California cases: 155,597 (+2,805)
  • COVID-19 California deaths: 5,118 (+29)
  • COVID-19 California death rate: 3.29%
  • COVID-19 California testing: 2,868,182 individual tests
  • COVID-19 California positivity rate: 5.42%
In the Central Valley
The Madera County Department of Public Health announced that 28 more of our county's residents are infected with COVID-19, bringing our local cases to 226 (last update was on 6/12/2020). Today's combined coronavirus cases from the 7 local counties added 519 new infections and 3 new fatalities. The 7 counties have reported 11,193 infections and 223 covid deaths since the first cases appeared in the central valley three months ago.
‘It’s precarious.’ How San Joaquin Valley became a worrisome COVID-19 hotspot in California
As California more fully reopens its economy, the San Joaquin Valley is emerging as a trouble spot for coronavirus infections and hospitalization, prompting the state to put most of the Valley’s counties under a special watch this week.

Of the 15 California counties with the highest percentage of positive coronavirus tests over the past two weeks, eight sit squarely in the Valley, a McClatchy review of state health data as of mid-week shows.

The eight counties — Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced — comprise the entire Valley. READ MORE
EVENING PRESS RELEASE
An Outbreak of COVID-19 Confirmed at Almond Processing Facility
June 15, 2020 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An Outbreak of COVID-19 Confirmed at Almond Processing Facility

MERCED COUNTY, CA – The Merced County Department of Public Health (Department) has confirmed that eight employees at the Hughson Nut Company (Company), in Livingston, have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not uncommon for an outbreak to occur in business sectors that require close contact.

The Company is working together with Public Health Officials to investigate the outbreak. The affected portion of the plant has been closed and is being disinfected. Employees with close contact to the individuals that have tested positive have been ordered to quarantine at home, and all employees have been advised to test for COVID-19.

If you visited the Hughson Nut Company between the dates of May 18 to June 12, and are experiencing symptoms that you feel might be due to infection from COVID-19 (shortness of breath, fever, and cough), please call your medical provider.

“We appreciate the cooperation of the Hughson Nut Company with the investigation of this outbreak. It’s important for all individuals to follow preventative safety practices to help minimize the spread of this virus in our community. We hope for a successful recovery for all those affected,” says Dr. Salvador Sandoval, Merced County Public Health Officer.

As a reminder, everyone should:
  • Wear a cloth face covering when in public
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  • Practice social distancing
  • Frequently wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

If you are a Merced County resident who would like to be tested for COVID-19, please register for an appointment by calling 1-888-634-1123 or online at www.lhi.care/covidtesting. 

For more information on COVID-19 and the Stay Safe Order, please visit the Department’s resource website at www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirus or call the Department’s information line at (209) 381-1180 (English, Spanish, Hmong). 
Madera + 6 local counties

  • COVID-19 Mariposa: 16 cases, 1 death
  • COVID-19 Merced: 409 cases, 7 deaths
  • COVID-19 Madera: 226 cases (+28), 3 deaths
  • COVID-19 Fresno: 2,706 cases (+159), 55 deaths (+3)
  • COVID-19 Tulare: 2,664 cases (+200), 98 deaths
  • COVID-19 Kings: 1,805 cases (+46), 6 deaths
  • COVID-19 Kern: 3,367 cases (+86), 53 deaths

7 counties together

  • COVID-19 7 counties cases: 11,193 cases (+519)
  • COVID-19 7 counties deaths: 223 deaths (+3)
  • COVID-19 7 counties death rate: 1.99%
From our hearts to yours,

Fredo and Renee Martin
Workingarts Marketing, inc.
+1-559-662-1119

PS: We welcome comments and questions.