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

MONTEREY COUNTY — Another 95 residents have tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Monterey County this week, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 640 countywide on Friday.

According to the latest report from Monterey County Health Department, data showed a jump from 545 cases of Covid-19 on Monday to 640 in Friday’s tally. The report also shows that 384 residents have recovered from the respiratory disease so far, an increase of 51 recoveries since Monday.

There have been 10 deaths related to Covid-19 in Monterey County; no change since the two additional deaths that were reported last Friday.

The majority of those infected with Covid-19 are from the Salinas area (392), with the others from the Peninsula and Big Sur area (54), South County (145) and North County (49), according to Friday’s most recent data.

Within South County, the numbers have been broken down by zip code. Greenfield (93927) has the most cases with 45, followed by Soledad (93960) with 40, Gonzales (93926) with 27 and King City (93930) with 26. Seven cases are classified as “other” in South County.

Most of the county’s cases (341) had no known pre-existing medical conditions, and currently there are 69 residents who are hospitalized due to the virus.

The latest data also shows the majority of Covid-19-infected residents work in the agriculture industry (247), followed by retired or unemployed (76); health care, dental care and first responders (59); educational and child care setting (47); office, management, sales or retail (36); food service (23); craftsman, construction workers and other skilled labor (16); and professional, technical and related professions (16). A total of 79 of the cases’ employment industry are unknown or under investigation, while 41 are listed as “other.”

Screening and testing sites across Monterey County have completed Covid-19 testing for more than 11,690 residents as of June 5.

In California, the latest numbers show a total of 119,807 positive cases of Covid-19 and 4,422 deaths statewide as of June 3.

Monterey County and the entire state remain under shelter-in-place orders. Last weekend the county was allowed to advance into expanded Stage 2 of the reopening process, which includes the opening of dine-in restaurants, hair salons, barbershops, indoor retail, schools and churches — all with strict modifications to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

According to Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno, the county has not yet reached a peak in coronavirus cases.

“We are in early June and have not experienced a peak in cases,” Moreno said, following Wednesday’s media briefing. “I can’t predict when a peak will occur, but with ongoing community cooperation with social distancing and face coverings, we can continue to slow the spread of the virus, giving us more time to develop effective treatments that reduce risk of death and an effective vaccine to prevent Covid-19.”

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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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