Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) (CDC Image)

MONTEREY COUNTY — The number of residents who have tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Monterey County has surpassed 3,000, according to the latest report from Monterey County Health Department.

Another 76 confirmed cases were added Friday, bringing the total number of Covid-19-infected residents to 3,059. Friday’s report also showed that 1,829 residents have recovered from the respiratory disease so far, an increase of 72 recoveries since Thursday.

A total of 18 deaths related to Covid-19 in Monterey County have been reported.

The majority of those infected with Covid-19 are from the Salinas area (1,811), with the others from South County (734), North County (238) and the Peninsula and Big Sur area (276), according to the most recent data.

Within South County, the numbers have been broken down by zip code. Greenfield (93927) has the most cases with 246, followed by King City (93930) with 231, Soledad (93960) with 157, Gonzales (93926) with 78 and Chualar (93925) with 10. Twelve cases are classified as “other” in South County.

A cumulative total of 201 residents have been hospitalized due to the virus, 51 of whom are active hospitalizations with 11 in the intensive care unit (ICU), as of Friday’s latest report.

Screening and testing sites across Monterey County have completed Covid-19 testing for more than 36,374 residents as of July 17.

Monterey County, which is still under shelter-in-place orders, remains on the state of California’s Covid-19 county data monitoring watch list following a recent surge of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations among residents in the area.

Last week the county was forced to close all bars and indoor operations for restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and cardrooms. 

On Monday, the indoor closures extended to gyms and fitness centers, places of worship, protests, personal care services (including nail salons, massage parlors and tattoo parlors), hair salons and barbershops, malls and offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors, since the county has remained on the state’s monitoring list for three or more consecutive days.

“Moving outside when you’re at a restaurant, winery or gym is a key step to helping reduce the risk for yourself and others, but that doesn’t mean your actions don’t matter. Letting your guard down around people who don’t live with you, even a family member or close friend, puts you at risk,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, State Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health, in a news release July 13. “When you go out, wear a face covering, keep physical distance and wash your hands. The decisions we make today will determine how Covid-19 impacts our communities and families tomorrow.”

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Ryan Cronk is the managing editor for King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune, a unified publication of Greenfield News, Soledad Bee and Gonzales Tribune. He covers general news for South Monterey County and the surrounding communities.

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