Editors note: The following is a collection of breaking news updates, helpful informational sites and links to appropriate local institutions during the coronavirus pandemic. Send announcements to admin@voicesofmontereybay.org.

Another death attributed to COVID-19 reported in Monterey CountyJune 9 Monterey County health officials today reported an 11th person has died as a result of complications related to COVID-19.

News of the latest victim comes only in an additional death on an online chart updated daily by the Monterey County Health Department. The county health officer has steadfastly refused to provide the identifications or the city of residents of any of the fatalities in the county, citing patient privacy.

The death is the first since May 29, when two people from Monterey County reportedly expired.

The countys health officials also reported that 12 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 763 since the county started keeping track in late January. Of those cases, 621 patients identified themselves as Latino or Hispanic, 754 were from Salinas or South Monterey County and 300 worked in agriculture. Seventy-five patients in Monterey County have required hospitalizations because of the virus.

To date, a total of 12,429 Monterey County residents have been tested for COVID-19.

For comparative numbers, Santa Cruz County has reported 226 cases of COVID-19, with two deaths. A total of 9,867 people have been tested in that county. In California, 4,682 people have died as a result of the virus.

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Virtual town hall for Monterey County businesses set ThursdayJune 8 Two Monterey County supervisors will host a virtual town hall on Thursday to explain the next new phase of business reopenings, now involving personal care services.

Supervisors Mary Adams and Jane Parker will host the meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. During the meeting, operators of personal care service businesses can learn more about the requirements and guidelines in place that will allow the reopening on Friday.

The meeting will be held live via Zoom. The event can be followed athttps://montereycty.zoom.us/j/96306672642Phone access is through 1-669-900-6833, meeting code 96306672642#A Facebook livestream can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo

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Most Monterey County businesses can get back to business on FridayJune 7 Hotels, bars, wineries, museums and fitness gyms will be able to reopen in Monterey County on Friday, according to the countys health officer.

The order by Dr. Edward Moreno also applies to cardrooms, campgrounds and other recreational spots, as long as operators maintain safe environments for patrons and workers.

According to a written release from county officials released Sunday, Monterey County has not exceeded the threshold for maintaining hospital surge capacity and has not exceeded the threshold for maintaining the ability to protect those at high risk for COVID-19. Maintaining surge capacity and protecting vulnerable populations have been and continue to be top public health priorities during this pandemic.

The reopening of those businesses were authorized by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week, but the governor gave discretion to health officers in individual counties based on existing scenarios.

Thanks to countywide efforts to socially distance, cover faces, wash hands, clean and sterilize surfaces and stay at home as much as possible, we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, said Moreno, in the written statement We are still in the middle of a pandemic and must continue to work together to protect our families, friends and fellow residents.

He said the county Health Department and state Department of Public health will continue to monitor local indicators. Future decisions to open additional businesses and activities will depend in part on how wellbusinesses implement sector guidelines and how well we all practice social distancing and other preventive measures, said Dr. Moreno.

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Santa Cruz County offers operational breaks to business ownersJune 2 Restaurant and other business owners in rural regions of Santa Cruz County will get leeway to reopen and operate under a plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors today.

Supervisors approved the plan to issue temporary permits to allow the businesses to expand into nearby parking lots so that physical distancing and health protocols under COVID-19 orders can be met. Applications and self-certification forms will be available online here. Permits issued electronically are good for 180 days, with the possibility of an extension. Permit fees will be waived through the remainder of 2020.

Restaurants offering outdoor alcoholic beverages will need to verify outdoor eligibility parameters and standards with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

The Planning Department will concurrently work on establishing temporary permit standards that could offer longer timeframes for modified operations, according to a written statement from the county. The Board of Supervisors also directed the departments of Public Works, Parks and Environmental Health to administer encroachment permits, licenses and other procedures in ways that would allow for outdoor dining and other commercial uses on public property, such as by using portions of public parking areas including lots or roadways.

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Variances approved in Monterey and Santa Cruz countiesMay 29 The state Department of Public Health today accepted variances for both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and the health officers in both counties have issued orders to allow dine-in restaurant services and the reopening of barbershops and hair salons. Both activities are allowed to resume immediately in Santa Cruz, as long as the guidelines are followed.

Prior to opening, businesses must implement social distancing protocols and design worksite-specific plans, train employees and implement control measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to the local health officers. No further county approvals are needed before operations may resume.

Reopening guidance, including state guidelines for specific sectors, can be found here.

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Monterey County lists two new COVID-19 deathsMay 29 Monterey County health officials today reported two more deaths of county residents that they attribute to complications arising from COVID-19.

The new fatalities were reported through the countys coronavirus information website, with no other explanation. Health officials have not been releasing details about victims, including identities, their hometowns or their ages. The deaths increase the total number in Monterey County to 10, and they are the first to be reported since May 15. The announcement comes as the county is awaiting permission from state health authorities to ease restrictions on restaurant dining and to reopen other businesses.

As of today, Monterey County has confirmed 477 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since the end of January. Of those 57 have been hospitalized and 366 have recovered, according to the county. Also, 9,202 people have tested negative for the virus.

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Santa Cruz County sends variance plan to stateMay 29 Santa Cruz County has asked state officials for the variance that would allow at least some restoration of commerce soon.

With a unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors today approved a Stage 2 variance application that would allow local restaurants, hair salons and barbershops to expand their services. The re-openings cant happen yet. The variance needs to be approved by the state and the county health officer must issue orders that establish guidelines.

The county has been in consultation with the state during the process, said Jason Hoppin, a county spokesman. Approval may take up to one week, though a response could come sooner.

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Monterey city administrators hope to avoid additional layoffsMay 27 Montereys city manager said today that none of the radical new proposals administrators are looking at to meet budget deficits would include additional layoffs.

Responding to a report published this morning, City Manager Hans Uslar told the City Council that the proposals he is submitting does not include a single layoff. Its possible that roles of some staff might change, but he said the propsal focuses on other operational adjustments in the citys operation.

The City Council last month agreed to eliminate 106 jobs after seeing a dramatic loss of tax revenue due to business closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City Council is meeting this afternoon in a study session to learn more about what city administrators say will be deficit of at least $31 million in the coming two years. Lauren Lai, the citys finance director, is presenting a smorgasborg of possible solutions, which would include hiring freezes, renegotiated labor contracts and contracting certain city services to private entities.

No decision will be made today.

Mayor Clyde Roberson said that the pending reopening of some businesses, approved by the county Board of Supervisors and awaiting state approval, is a welcome development. But those measures are contained in the countys Stage 2 request. Roberson pointed out that hotels wont be able to open to tourists until the county gets permission for Stage 3. And the citys conference center wont open until Stage 4.

The citys most severe financial hit is a result of a huge loss of transient occupancy taxes, also known as bed taxes imposed on overnight visitors, and sales taxes. Early estimates indicate that hotel occupancy rates are down up to 85 percent on the Monterey Peninsula. County and state restrictions only allow hotel rooms to be occupied by visitors who are performing essential services while they are in the county.

The study session is being broadcast on Facebook and is scheduled to continue through 6 p.m. today.

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Santa Cruz County supervisors to consider variance application FridayMay 27 The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors oon Friday could ask state officials for a late Stage 2 variance that would open the county to more business and larger gatherings.

The Board of Supervisors is holding a special hearing at 9 a.m. Friday to review and consider an application for the variance drawn up by Dr. Gail Newel, the countys public health officer. If approved by the State, the application would allow Newel to authorize operations for dining in at restaurants and to open barbershops and hair salons, with health and safety modifications.

The Board of Supervisors in Monterey County submitted a similar application on Tuesday.

If approved by the Board, State review may take up to one week.

The variance will not apply to prohibitions on operations like nail salons, tattoo parlors or other higher-risk personal services, none of which have been cleared by the state year. On Tuesday Newel issued an order aligning Santa Cruz County with the states Resilience Roadmap, so that any future state changes may be immediately implemented at the local level.

Since the start of the pandemic, Santa Cruz County has recorded 200 cases of COVID-19, with two deaths and 29 hospitalizations. Laboratories in the county have recorded 7,637 negative COVID-19 tests.

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Monterey city administrators: Budget hit is worse than they thoughtMay 26 Monterey administrators say the citys financial problems are even worse than they originally thought and they are suggesting radical changes to the way the city operates.

Officials are recommending the council adopt a go big, go broad, go simple approach to digging its way out of the citys financial hole.

They will be presenting dozens of options to the Monterey City Council on Wednesday during a study session scheduled specifically to discuss the devastation incurred in the city in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtually everything is on the table, according to Lauren Lai, the citys finance director, including ballot measures to raise tourism taxes, hiring freezes and farming out some of the citys high-profile operations to private companies or nonprofits. Lai released the gloomy outlook and the list of potential solutions in a 11-page report today.

Some of these suggestions will create a robust and, probably, adversarial discussions between interest groups and stakeholders, said Lai. In other words: we put everything on the table.

Last month, the council already agreed to eliminate more than 100 jobs in an effort to make up for a $10 million revenue loss city officials said they expected to sustain by the end of the fiscal year. Most of that deficit is due to the loss of tourism. Perhaps more than any other city in the county, Montereys operations are dependent on bed taxes imposed on hotels and sales tax generated in the hospitality industry.

Upon further review, Lai now says that the deficit will likely be about $13 million. And she expects the city will be in a $30 million hole over a two-year period.

Our city needs to be prepared to brace for a wide range of fiscal and economic damages, which are occurring and still unfolding, Lai said. Montereys economy, including our citys revenues, will bounce back. The recent Memorial Day weekend showed how popular the Monterey Peninsula is. However, for the foreseeable future the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 continues to impact the speed of Montereys economic recovery.

The study session starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The council will not act on any of the proposals, but the meeting is meant to prepare councilmembers with the information to base future actions. Read the entire report here:

Monterey City Government's Financial Report

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Santa Cruz County eases restrictions on work, worship, shopping and protestMay 26 Let the protests resume in Santa Cruz County.

The countys public health officer, Dr. Gail Newel, issued a new health order today that allows Stage 2 activities to proceed and aligns the county with any future state announcements that remove restrictions under the statewide shelter-in-home order. The new order follows much of the loosened restrictions announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom during the past several days.

Among the activities expressly mentioned in Newels health order are outdoor activities, including protests. No included in the new order are in-restaurant dining, but Newel said she is seeking a state variance that will allow restaurants to open their dining halls.

It also includes resumption of office work, in-store retail, religious services and cultural ceremonies, manufacturing and limited personal services, effectively at midnight tonight. All businesses and operations must continue complying with social distancing protocols and order to wear face coverings, according to a written release issued by the county.

As we move forward with these changes, I want to caution everyone that COVID-19 is still present inour community, said Newel. Anyone who is 65 years old or older, as well as those who are medically vulnerable,should continue sheltering in place. I urge all members of our community to help thosewho need to shelter by continuing to offer help and check in.

She said she is encouraging telework working from home where possible, but in-office work is allowed under guidelines that can be found here.

Childcare is also now allowed for children of workers and volunteers in all sectors, not just essentialservices. Guidance on childcare facilities can be found here.

In-store retail operations should follow state guidance for retail establishments, found here.

Newel said political protests can also resume, as long as they are not staged in a crowded hall and they follow appropriate social-distancing protocols. See here for more details.

Beaches will remain closed between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with exceptions for surfers, walkers, runners or others who use local beaches for exercise. Restrictions still apply at hotels, motels and vacation rentals, which can only be available to people engaged in essential services.

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Monterey County delivers next-phase reopening plan to governorMay 26 The ball is now in Gov. Gavin Newsoms court.

The Board of Supervisors today asked the California governor for permission to move to the next level of reopening, to allow dine-in restaurant service, on-site retail and more freedom of movement in the county. The state has already opened up in-person religious services, full-service car washes and reopening of schools all with significant modifications. Also during the hearing, supervisors learned that Newsom announced a plan to reopen hair salons and barber shops in California.

Dr. Edward Moreno on Monday released the countys application to state health officers that, if approved by the state, would move the county further along Stage Two recovery of shelter-in-place restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The of Supervisors endorsed that proposal today, and it will be transmitted to the governors office for approval.

The action was applauded by the small-business owners and business representatives who testified via live-streaming services during the meeting. Small businesses are struggling, said Carina Powers. They need to get back to business to make up the losses incurred during the closures, she said.

But Moreno and county supervisors warned the public to remain vigilant, to observe social distancing and to wear face covering. They say they are concerned that health officers may be forced to re-impose restrictions if the virus spreads at a high rate in the future because people are being careless.

Weve had low numbers in Monterey County and those low numbers are not an accident, said Charles McKee, the countys top administrative officer, referring to the general compliance of residents to shelter-in-place orders imposed during the past two months. But we dont want to have a backslide.

This is not the time to let your guard down, said Supervisor Chris Lopez, chairman of the board.

Supervisor Jane Parker called Morenos application a carefully thought-through plan, adding that it provides safeguards to protect people vulnerable to the virus.

This is a critical stage to get peoples lives back together (and) their businesses back together, said Supervisor John Phillips.

Newsom has swiftly approved many of the attestation variance applications submitted by other counties, sometimes as quickly as a day or two.

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Monterey County prepared to seek easing of restrictionsMay 25 Declaring that the curve has flattened in Monterey County, the Board of Supervisors appears poised to ask Gov. Gavin Newsom to ease restrictions that had been imposed by the spread of COVID-19.

The board will meet Tuesday to sign off on an application of attestation variance prepared by its public health officer, Dr. Edward Moreno. That 140-page form asserts that the county has maintained a stable or decreasing number of patients for greater than 2 weeks while the seven-day average of daily change in hospitalized patients has dropped by 0.2 percent.

The form also indicates the county has a strategy in place to monitor COVID-19 and is prepared to scale back activities if infections worsen.

The form was released today, the third day of the Memorial Day weekend during which countless numbers of people jammed beaches, tourist destinations and other hotspots, many of them in violation of existing shelter-in-place orders and social-distancing standards.

In a proposed letter to Newsom that the Board of Supervisors will be asked to approve Tuesday, the county says that Moreno and other county officials are actively monitoring infection through epidemiology, implementing alternative sheltering measures where necessary, offering a sufficient amount of testing and contact tracing, monitoring hospital capacity and plans for surge, and protecting vulnerable populations.

The Board believes that the shelter in place orders issued by Dr. Moreno since the Governors proclamation of a state of emergency on March 4, 2020, and the publics compliance with those orders, have helped to flatten the curve of the virus in the County, and have allowed Dr. Moreno to now execute the updated attestation.

Monterey County is one of the few counties in California that havent yet received a second stage phase-two variance from the state. Approval of the variance would allow more freedom among owners of retail, restaurants and hospitality services. Pebble Beach Co. is already taking reservations for accommodations starting June 15.

In supporting Dr. Morenos petition, the Board of Supervisors will also ask the state to include wineries and tasting rooms as businesses eligible for reopening in stage two. As you may know, the wine industry is an important sector of the countys economy, and there are numerous wineries and tasting rooms throughout our communities.

The board is holding a special session Tuesday specifically to move the request. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and can be followed online. See the agenda here.

Read Dr. Edward Moreno's attestation application here

Read Monterey County Board of Supervisor's proposed letter of support

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Recent clusters in Santa Cruz County concern health officialsMay 22 Public health authorities report multiple clusters of COVID-19 cases involving family gathering in Santa Cruz County.

The county has boasted a relatively low number coronavirus cases, compared to its neighbors, but health officials issued a reminder this afternoon encouraging residents to maintain social distancing and follow shelter-in-place orders during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend following a spike in new cases.

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UPDATE: Another death attributed to COVID-19 reported in Monterey County - Voices of Monterey Bay