MONTEREY — Monterey police announced that four Peninsula residents were arrested on Friday for violating the county’s shelter in place order by allegedly gathering for non-essential purposes during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
At approximately 8:12 p.m, officers received a noise complaint about an apartment complex on Helvic Avenue, the police department said in a press release. Police and the apartment manager contacted the tenant and advised her of the complaint and a shelter in place violation for gatherings or parties for non-essential purposes.
After receiving another complaint for noise, police officers responded to the Helvic apartment at 10:18 p.m. There, officers arrested four people, three of whom did not live there, according to the press release.
Officers cited the 29-year-old tenant, Ashley Deorona, for allegedly resisting and delaying officers, as well as violating the county shelter in place order. The other three Monterey Peninsula residents, Daniel Rosa, 23, Marco Flores, 23, and Kianna Stokkebye, 26, all were cited on suspicion of violating the county health order, police said. All four were then released.
Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno has issued two shelter in place orders, the most recent amended Friday for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. The order, now in effect until May 4, requires social distancing measures, defines essential businesses that can stay open, and restricts access to recreational areas. In doing so, it allows local law enforcement to execute the order, which can result in a fine or imprisonment.
“The (Monterey Police Department) implores people to comply with the shelter-in-place order,” police said. “The (order) is in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect those who may become infected.”
Case numbers
As of Saturday night, Monterey County had 62 confirmed cases and two deaths of COVID-19, per county health data. Community spread accounts for nearly a third of all cases, while person-to-person transmission is higher, at 34%. The travel-related spread is down to 23%, though 11% of cases are under investigation.
Of cases, nearly a quarter have been hospitalized, and more than 40% of all cases had a preexisting condition. Sixteen percent of cases have recovered thus far.
Half of all cases are Salinas residents. Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur region residents account for more than a third of cases, and residents from north and south county comprised 15% of cases.
Meanwhile, county testing has increased, with 1,195 tests reported to the County Health Department. The county public health laboratory has tested the most, accounting for 73%, while commercial, hospital and other public health labs have provided the rest of the county’s COVID-19 tests.
California had 13,438 cases with 319 deaths as of Sunday, according to the state Department of Public Health. Across the state, 131,500 people have been tested, with 15,000 tests pending.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 304,826 cases and 7,616 deaths on Sunday.
MST contracted driver tests positive
Monterey-Salinas Transit announced a driver employed through MV Transportation tested positive on Thursday. The person — unidentified by officials citing patient confidentiality — last drove for the MST RIDES program on March 29 and self-identified being ill last Monday, according to an MST news release on Saturday. MST RIDES provides specialized transportation for people with disabilities, the program application outlined.
MST and MV have identified the driver, other MV employees and program riders who came in close proximity and reported them to county health officials, transit officials said. Employees for both MV and MST who had close contact with the driver were sent home for self-isolation. Program riders who were nearby, meanwhile, were advised to self-isolate and call their health care provider if they showed symptoms.
While MST has implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, it has taken additional cleaning measures with vehicles, workplaces and other areas used by the infected person, officials said.
Salinas’ California International Airshow canceled
The California International Airshow board of directors made the decision Thursday to cancel the 40th annual airshow in Salinas scheduled for June 5-7 due to the pandemic.
“The safety of our Airshow supporters, volunteers, and the community is a priority and, sadly, it has now become apparent we will not be able to proceed,” said Karen Curtis, the airshow’s board president, in a statement.
Each year, the airshow showcases military and civilian air show performers, raising over $8.5 million for local charities since its inception in 1981, airshow officials said. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were among those set to perform at this year’s show.
All tickets purchased online for the June show will be automatically refunded by the ticket service provider, according to officials. Visit the airshow website for updates: www.salinasairshow.com.
Hospitality union starts fund
The hospitality union for Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, UNITE HERE Local 483, announced more than 1,450 of its members on the Monterey Peninsula lost jobs amid the pandemic. In response, the union has started a support fund to help hospitality workers who are most in need.
“Today we face a different kind of challenge,” officials said in their announcement. “While COVID-19 has affected everyone’s lives, its devastation of the hospitality industry — hotels, restaurants and cafeterias — means the vast majority of workers are out of the job for the foreseeable future.”
Hospitality is Monterey County’s second-largest industry after agriculture. Donate online at unitehere483.org.
Lake Nacimiento Closed, but Lake San Antonio still open
Effective Thursday, Lake Nacimiento’s resort and recreational area was closed indefinitely county officials said. The adjacent Lake San Antonio, however, remained open with limited hours.
Government meetings go virtual
As public health orders have limited gatherings to promote social distancing, government meetings have gone virtual.
Now, the city of Marina announced its first virtual city council meeting on Tuesday via the Zoom video platform. Residents can view the council’s web stream or watch on Marina’s channel 15. Comments can be made by email or during the meeting by phone or computer through Zoom, but only through audio.
First responders seek equipment
Monterey officials announced a donation drive to donate spare personal protective equipment to help protect first responders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the city maintains a supply of PPE for use by firefighters, police and public works staff, high demand and a potential increase in COVID-19 calls has resulted in officials asking people to donate any new, sealed N95-rated masks.
Monterey’s donation drive, started Wednesday, will end Friday. Donations can be dropped off in front of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 353 Camino El Estero, on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pick-ups can be arranged by contacting 831-646-3760.
On Friday afternoon, Salinas police received 200 N95 masks from D’Arrigo Brothers, the parent company of Andy Boy produce. The Salinas Police Department is still accepting donations for new, unused N95 or surgical masks, which can be made at police headquarters, 222 Lincoln Ave., and contacting records staff who are inside 24 hours a day, according to police Watch Commander Jim Arensdorf. Contributions can also be arranged by calling police records at 831-758-7090.
