With an increase in cases and hospitalizations, the county was ordered by the state to close more businesses if those businesses could not operate outdoors. 

The area of Idyllwild-Pine Cove has a total of 10 cases since the outbreak of COVID-19, the same number reported when the newspaper went to print last week, according to the Riverside University Health System – Public Health (RUHS) website. No deaths have been reported for the area since the outbreak. 

Because Riverside County is unable to provide recovery data by area, it is unknown how many of the 10 total cases are active since the area’s first reported case on April 3. 

As of press time on July 14, Riverside County has 26,481 confirmed COVID-19 cases. There are 553 deaths related to COVID-19 and 9,893 people have recovered. There are 536 individuals being hospitalized and of those 136 are in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Image courtesy of Riverside University - Health System Public Health
Updates at: https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR0PGHRL6PNsK29lXSq8aSQVl4QHu8UeEFb_HaSLwPyXjriEEjxxU0BO65M

As of press time on July 7, Riverside County had 21,101 confirmed COVID-19 cases. There were 506 deaths related to COVID-19 and 8,896 people had recovered. There were 518 individuals being hospitalized and of those 130 were in the ICU. 

As of press time on June 30, Riverside County had 17,296 confirmed COVID-19 cases. There were 457 deaths related to COVID-19 and 7,854 people had recovered. There were 403 individuals being hospitalized and of those 109 were in the ICU.

To date, 294,389 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Riverside County, according to RUHS. The age range with the most confirmed cases are 18- to 39-year-olds. The two demographics with the highest number of cases are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino.

The county is urging residents and visitors to follow the state’s face covering requirement in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible. In addition to covering your face, the county also urges everyone to keep 6 feet of distance and wash their hands. The county is on the state’s COVID-19 watch list due to the increase of case numbers and hospitalizations. 

In a recent press release, Riverside County health officials remind all residents there is still a statewide stay-at-home order in effect and social gatherings are known places where the disease is spread. 

COVID-19 testing

COVID-19 testing is available for those with or without symptoms. Testing is free and available for everyone. 

Residents can visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing to schedule an appointment online or call 800-945-6171 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. to make an appointment over the phone for drive-up testing. Looking for a shorter wait time when calling to make an appointment? The county suggests calling between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m.

A testing site will be at the Mountain Resource Center on Franklin Drive Tuesday, July 21. See the article on page A1 for more information. 

State testing sites are also operational in Riverside County. To make an appointment, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123.  

Fern Creek Medical Center in Idyllwild offers a COVID-19 antibody test.

Reopening

Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser ordered the closing of all bars as of Tuesday, June 30 after Gov. Gavin Newsom recommended the closure of bars in seven counties included on the state’s watch list. Bars had been allowed to reopen on June 12. Some businesses are required to move their operations outdoors and to close if they are unable to do so. Those businesses are restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos and museums, and card rooms. Restaurants and other businesses may still do takeout but are not permitted to have indoor dining. In addition, the county issued a press release Monday, July 13 stating additional businesses are now “required to move their activities outdoors as part of statewide actions to slow the spread of coronavirus.

“The governor’s announcement today [July 13] impacts 30 counties, including Riverside County, that are on the state’s monitoring list. Newsom said the order to move activities outdoors was necessary to reduce the spread of coronavirus and curb the recent increase in hospitalizations. Riverside County has experienced a steady rise in confirmed cases, hospitalizations and patients requiring intensive care dating back to Memorial Day.”

The new restrictions include fitness centers and gyms, worship services, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, and malls.

The county said that these businesses may do curb-side retail, as long as there are no indoor operations.  

“As we struggle with national laboratory issues artificially depressing new case counts, people need to realize we’re far from being out of the woods,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “Summer heat isn’t stopping COVID-19, but for some of these sectors, the heat means there may be no good way to do them outdoors. We need to reduce the impact on our hospitals by reducing transmission, and as long as the numbers keep rising, the state’s need to reimpose restrictions will keep rising too.”

 Riverside County has been able to reopen, and as of press time, keep the following open: investment properties for short-term rentals, destination retail stores including swap meets, casinos, schools with modifications, hotels (for tourism and individual travel), racetracks, campgrounds and outdoor recreation. As a reminder, youth sports are still not permitted. 

For more information on state guidance, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. Visit www.RivCoBiz.org for modifications and other measures encouraged by the county to keep employees, customers and clients safe. 

Small business grant funding 

Between now and Aug. 31, sole proprietors and those small businesses that received the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan or advance are now eligible for the second round of funding (up to $10,000) provided to small businesses that have been impacted during the coronavirus pandemic, the county explained in a press release. “The first round of funding for the small business program resulted in $7.3 million that will be distributed to 738 small businesses in Riverside County.” 

Funding is limited and not available to “businesses that have received federal funding through the Paycheck Protection Program. Awardees must also develop and implement a safe reopening plan that addresses employee and customer health prior to disbursement.” 

For information on how to apply, visit https://rivcoccsd.org/covidbizhelp, and for questions, email [email protected] or call 951-955-0493.

Food assistance

For those needing to connect with food resources, visit https://rivcoph.org/coronavirus and select “Food Access” at the top right for a county map directing you to food pantries, senior and school meals. 

The county recently announced, “Social services officials are encouraging qualified Riverside County households with children to apply for a one-time Pandemic-EBT food benefit before the application period closes on July 15.” Applications must be made online at https://ca.p-ebt.org/.

Riverside County created the Courtesy Pantry program to serve seniors and adults with disabilities who are unable to get food for themselves at this time. This program is available to those 60 years of age and over and adults with disabilities. You must live in Riverside County. Call 951-867-3895 to see if you qualify. 

Behavioral health

For those in need of behavioral health assistance, you may utilize a computer and smartphone app called TakeMyHand.co. You may also contact 2-1-1 or call the behavioral health CARES line at 800-706-7500. A 24/7 free, confidential crisis or suicide intervention service can be reached at 951-686-HELP (4357).

Staying cool 

Riverside County opened cooling centers with modifications to accommodate coronavirus safety guidelines. For a list of cooling center locations, visit www.capriverside.org.

Local entities update

Art Walk & Wine Tasting: The event has been canceled. 

Fern Valley Water District: The office is still closed to the public.

Hemet Unified School District: To view the district’s reopening plan published June 24, visit https://www.hemetusd.org/apps/news/article/1250349. 

Idyllwild Area Historical Society: This year’s Home Tour is canceled, and the museum remains closed. 

Idyllwild Community Center: ICC has closed all of its programs (including sports, senior fitness and childcare) for the time being. The food distribution program is still occurring. The Farmers Market is back Sundays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. outside at Town Hall, 25925 Cedar Street. 

Idyllwild Fire Protection District: The front office is now open to the public.  

Idyllwild HELP Center and Thrift store: Check their Facebook page for updates.

Idyllwild Library: The library is open for express service only. The express service hours for Idyllwild Library are Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon. All online services are still up and running. Staff are available for Live Chat or Ask a Librarian reference from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday through the Riverside County Library System website at http://www.rivlib.info. 

Idyllwild Pharmacy: The pharmacy is open. A face mask is required. Check the Idyllwild Pharmacy Facebook page for updates on hours. 

Idyllwild Shuttle: The current schedule is as follows: Door-to-Door service from Pine Cove to Mountain Center is provided Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the day you need a ride. There is transportation to Palm Desert and Palm Springs on Mondays via Mountain Center. Transportation to Hemet via Mountain Center is provided on Wednesdays. To get transportation to the food share at Mountain Center on Thursdays, meet at the HELP Center at noon. Reservations are required. Call 951-426-9688 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you are utilizing the shuttle, a face mask and hand sanitation is required. Off-Hill transportation is for medical appointments only. 

Idyllwild Summer Concert Series: The outdoor musical series is on hold through July, pending changes to state and county recommendations for such gatherings.

Idyllwild Town Crier: The office is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For advertising information, contact Lisa Streeter ([email protected]) or Mandy Johnson ([email protected]) and for editorial questions contact Melissa Diaz Hernandez ([email protected]). Newspapers will be available to purchase from the new Town Crier office at 54391 Village Center Drive Suite #5, Idyllwild Pharmacy, Mountain Center and Pine Cove markets and at Village and Fairway markets, Mountain Top Liquor, the Idyllwild Chevron and Shell stations, and Lake Hemet Market.

Idyllwild Water District: Call 951-659-2143 for updates on office hours. 

Pine Cove Water District: The district’s office is closed to the public until further notice. 

Riverside County offices: Visit county department websites or call for updates and assistance on how to complete requests online, over the phone or through the mail.  

State parks: Visit www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve for updated information.