Coronavirus Deaths Rise In Riverside County, New Order Issued

UPDATED MARCH 17, 2020 AT 12:22 p.m.:

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The number of dead in Riverside County due to coronavirus has risen to three. Two deaths were confirmed Monday night and another late Tuesday morning.

All of the victims were in the Coachella Valley.

"Sadly, health officials confirm a third person has died from the Coachella Valley, bringing the number to three deaths in Riverside County," Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser confirmed Tuesday via social media.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the two patients,” Kaiser said Monday night when announcing the county's first COVID-19 fatalities. “Sadly, these outcomes are expected as we face a serious challenge and continue to make the necessary decisions to protect the health of the community."

The ages and genders of the patients are not being released, said Brooke Federico, Riverside County public information officer.

With the news of the first two deaths Monday came an order from the county public health officer.

Countywide, public gatherings of 10 or more people are ordered cancelled, effective immediately, Kaiser said. The order also states that gatherings with fewer than 10 people must have enough available room to maintain six feet of space between attendees — known as "social distancing."

Under the order, businesses may remain open as long as they follow the 10-person rule and implement social distancing, according to Riverside County Senior Public Information Specialist Jose Arballo.

There are limited exemptions to the 10-person rule, including healthcare facilities, grocery stores, daycare centers and restaurants serving take-out.

Last week, Kaiser had issued an order cancelling all events with 250 people or more. Kaiser's more restrictive order issued Monday follows news that several California counties have ordered residents to shelter in place.

Kaiser also recommends that senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions in the Coachella Valley avoid any non-essential travel.

Riverside County officials have expanded COVID-19 testing and the county’s public health lab is now operational, meaning local officials will not have to send testing samples to the state lab in Northern California or neighboring San Bernardino County, Kaiser said.

Read more about Riverside County testing here.

RELATED: Coronavirus Testing In California: What's Taking So Long?

“Unfortunately, the number of cases are going to keep going up for awhile,” Kaiser said. “But we’re taking steps to keep us ahead of the curve and getting people taken care of as quickly as we can. If everyone does their part we’ll get through this together.”

Residents are urged to visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus for more information.

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