MONTEREY COUNTY — Another 181 residents tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Monterey County over the past four days, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nearly 1,000 countywide on Monday.
According to the latest report from Monterey County Health Department, data revealed a jump from 814 cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, June 11, to 995 cases in the June 15 tally. Monday’s report also showed that 570 residents have recovered from the respiratory disease so far, an increase of 55 recoveries since Thursday.
Two more deaths, however, were reported in the past week. There have now been 12 deaths related to Covid-19 in Monterey County as of Monday.
“We have initiated a new media campaign to remind folks that the threat of Covid-19 is still very real here in our communities,” said District 3 County Supervisor Chris Lopez in a Facebook post Monday. “Please take the recommended steps of physically distancing, frequent hand washing, wear a face covering, and stay home if you are sick. It sounds simple, but remains critically necessary.”
The majority of those infected with Covid-19 are from the Salinas area (591), with the others from South County (273), North County (72) and the Peninsula and Big Sur area (59), according to Monday’s most recent data.
Within South County, the numbers have been broken down by zip code. King City (93930) has the most cases with 90, followed by Greenfield (93927) with 84, Soledad (93960) with 61 and Gonzales (93926) with 29. Nine cases are classified as “other” in South County.
King City had the largest increase of Covid-19 cases out of the four towns from yesterday’s report, adding 10 new cases Monday. Greenfield and Soledad added another four and three cases, respectively, to their tallies in the latest report.
Most of the county’s cases (509) had no known pre-existing medical conditions, and 86 residents have been hospitalized due to the virus. The latest data also shows the majority of Covid-19-infected residents work in the agriculture industry (390).
Screening and testing sites across Monterey County have completed Covid-19 testing for more than 14,814 residents as of June 15.
In comparison with nearby counties, San Luis Obispo County has reported 324 cases of Covid-19, 285 recoveries and one death as of June 12; Santa Cruz County has 257 cases, 202 recoveries and two deaths as of June 14; and San Benito County has 125 cases, 105 recoveries and two deaths as of June 14.
While Monterey County remains under shelter-in-place orders, the latest spike in Covid-19 cases comes as the state enters Stage 3 of the reopening process, which allows higher-risk workplaces — such as bars, gyms, movie theaters and campgrounds — to reopen under strict modifications to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Countywide efforts to socially distance, use face coverings, wash hands, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay at home as much as possible have slowed the spread of Covid-19,” according to Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer, in a news release Thursday. “In order to reopen safely, businesses will need to implement state guidance that protects workers and customers. Customers should also respect the efforts of our local business owners and their workers as they establish healthy practices that will protect us all.”
