Fifth Coronavirus Death In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Another person has died of coronavirus, and two additional cases have been confirmed in Riverside County, health officials said Saturday. The total caseload has now risen to 30.

All five of the deaths have been in the Coachella Valley. Out of the 30 total cases, 24 were determined to have been acquired locally.

"We are working diligently to ensure those who may have been exposed are taken care of, but we know COVID-19 is present in the community, and there will be more cases," Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said Thursday.

Eisenhower Medical Center virologist Dr. Richard Loftus told the Riverside County Board of Directors via telephone during their Tuesday meeting that he was treating cases at the Rancho Mirage hospital and said the probability was high that at least 10 coronavirus-related deaths would occur in the Coachella Valley before the end of the month. The physician described the area's senior population as "kindling for the virus."

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Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom called up the National Guard Friday to assist deliveries at the state's food banks.

Grappling with the coronavirus crisis, the governor said the executive order will provide short-term food security to isolated and vulnerable Californians and the short deployment will help to stabilize the immediate need of food banks.

The governor's office noted that many food banks have been affected by a significant decline in volunteerism, impacting logistical and local infrastructure for food distribution. The California Guard will initially deploy personnel and logistical equipment to a food bank distribution warehouse in Sacramento County and will conduct immediate site assessments statewide for those counties that have requested short-term support and stabilization.

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and City News Service contributed to this story