12 Die Tuesday In OC, Firefighter Remains In Intensive Care

ANAHEIM, CA —Two Anaheim firefighters remain hospitalized, one in intensive care, after an outbreak at a local firehouse.

Anaheim Firefighter Capt. Dave Baker was admitted into Mission Hospital this month, his wife says. He is now in intensive care, battling COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Orange County has lately been a battleground of skilled nursing home fatalities, with 59 deaths within the past week and a half, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

On Tuesday, 248 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the county, with a total of 8,999 having tested positive since the outbreak began in March. Of those, an estimated 4,185 people have recovered.

As of Tuesday, 300 Orange County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, and 137 of those are in Intensive Care Units.

A coronavirus outbreak occurred at an Anaheim Fire Station, with seven firefighters battling the COVID-19 disease. Three have recovered and returned back to work, two are at home self isolating, while Capt. Baker remains in intensive care Tuesday, according to Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster.

Baker's condition was not known as of this report, however the other hospitalized firefighter is out of the ICU and "showing improvement," according to Shane Carringer of Anaheim Fire & Rescue.

Apart from the two hospitalized firefighters, two are at home with mild symptoms and three have returned to work, Fire Chief Pat Russell said in a statement.

"One of the greatest strengths of this organization is how we rally to help our members in need," Russell said. "As with all challenging situations that we are all forced to endure, we will continue to lift each other up, support each other, and take care of one another."

This is the second time a firehouse in Orange County has battled coronavirus.

Anaheim officials have not traced which call infected the first firefighter, Lyster said. But officials also have not ruled out that the infections could have come from multiple sources, he said.

It is the first time any of the city's 211 firefighters and paramedics have fallen ill to the coronavirus, Lyster said.

The city has heightened sanitizing practices, with hospital-grade cleanings of its stations and first- responders are all equipped with personal protective equipment, but the infections show the challenge of avoiding the highly contagious disease, he said.

"All the protocols are in place, and it's a very high standard," Lyster said. "It's just the reality of a first responder, who can still be at risk of exposure."

The Orange County Sheriff's Department reported Tuesday that 387 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 380 having recovered and five currently showing symptoms. Sheriff's officials are awaiting results of 46 tests.

With more sectors of the economy authorized to begin reopening, Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel said last week that the county has "reason to be positive about where we are" in terms of coronavirus statistics when compared to neighboring counties and the state.

In addition to bars, gyms and theaters, community pools, schools, day camps, museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums, wineries and family entertainment centers received permission last week to reopen in Orange County.

On Friday, the state authorized the reopening of nail salons on June 19. Workers and customers will be required to wear face coverings, according to the state guidelines.

On Thursday, Dr. Clayton Chau—the HCA's director who was appointed as the county's chief health officer following the abrupt resignation of Dr. Nichole Quick at the start of last week—modified the county's previous mandate requiring people to wear face coverings in public. He made it a "strong recommendation" instead.

To date, the ages of those who have died:

• Between 25 and 34: 3
• Between 35 and 44: 7
• Between 45 and 54: 18
• Between 55 and 64: 30
• Between 65 and 74: 43
• Between 75 and 84: 62
• Over 85: 70

In Orange County, here are Thursday's coronavirus totals by city:

• Aliso Viejo: 36
• Anaheim: 1,710
• Brea: 57
• Buena Park: 273
• Costa Mesa: 183
• Coto de Caza : 7 (unchanged)
• Cypress: 87
• Dana Point: 36
• Fountain Valley: 79 (unchanged)
• Fullerton: 346
• Garden Grove: 520
• Huntington Beach: 444
• Irvine: 246
• La Habra: 177
• La Palma: 26 (unchanged)
• Ladera Ranch: 20 (unchanged)
• Laguna Beach: 51 (unchanged)
• Laguna Hills: 46
• Laguna Niguel: 47
• Laguna Woods: 14
• Lake Forest: 94
• Los Alamitos: 97
• Midway City: 26
• Mission Viejo: 96
• Newport Beach: 179 (unchanged)
• Orange: 391
• Placentia: 164
• Rancho Mission Viejo: 10 (unchanged)
• Rancho Santa Margarita: 37
• San Clemente: 73 (unchanged)
• San Juan Capistrano: 67
• Santa Ana: 1,939
• Seal Beach: 61 (unchanged)
• Stanton: 104
• Trabuco Canyon: 18 (unchanged)
• Tustin: 166
• Villa Park: 10
• Westminster: 198
• Yorba Linda: 108
• Other* 392 (unchanged)
• Unknown** 364

According to OC Health Care, the "Other" category includes the aggregate case count of the unincorporated areas of the county that have less than 5 cases, plus cases incarcerated in Orange County jails.

The numbers come alongside the reopening of California's economy. Now, businesses permitted to reopen include bars, gyms and theaters, community pools, schools, day camps, museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums, wineries and family entertainment centers.

Starting June 19, nail salons will also be permitted to reopen. Workers and customers will be required to wear face coverings, according to the state guidelines.

Read Also:

• Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know
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