Latest Watsonville Coronavirus Updates

WATSONVILLE, CA — The City of Watsonville remains under a local emergency declaration and Santa Cruz County residents are sheltering in place in an attempt to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Santa Cruz County continues to climb. As of Tuesday 49 cases and one deaths were reported in the county.

Santa Cruz County residents will likely continue to shelter in place for the weeks to come.

>>>See statewide updates and news here

Here are more updates from Watsonville and across the county:

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Coronavirus Cases

On Sunday Santa Cruz County reported its first COVID-19 death.

The man was a patient in his early 70s who had an underlying health condition. He was hospitalized March 19 after experiencing fever and shortness of breath.

On Friday the University of California, Santa Cruz announced that a student living off-campus had tested positive for the virus. The student is recovering and has been self-isolating since they were tested.

The campus had already made the switch to online learning.

Schools

Pajaro Valley Unified Schools will remain closed until May 5. Schools still offer meal pickup for students. Learn more about how to pick up lunches here.

PVUSD is posting coronavirus updates here.

Businesses

Many Santa Cruz County businesses are struggling, but some are trying to adapt to their unusual new circumstances. Read tips for supporting local businesses, courtesy of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.

Health Care

On Monday Watsonville Community Hospital nurses gathered to call on the hospital to ensure health care workers have the highest level of protective gear when a surge of coronavirus patients hits the county.

The event was organized in conjunction with the California Nurses Association, National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United.

Watsonville Community Hospital said in a statement that it is preparing for a surge in coronavirus patients and "endeavors to provide exceptional patient care with a focus on safety, quality and compassion, while meeting the health care needs of our community."

Resources and Information

Second Harvest Food Bank continues to serve Santa Cruz County. Call its food hotline at 831-662-0991 or email the food bank at info@thefoodbank.org. Healthy volunteers are needed. Get more information about the food bank here.

Last week the California National Guard's 115th Regional Support Group pitched in to help workers at the Watsonville-based food bank.

Some grocery stores in Northern California have longer or senior-only hours. Learn more here.

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce has collected a list of numerous resources for businesses and employees here.

If you have supplies to spare, consider donating to local heath providers in the county.

Read Patch's resource guide for Santa Cruz County residents.

Santa Cruz County has opened a call center to direct people with questions to the right places. The call center will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 831-454-4242.

Full coronavirus coverage: California Coronavirus: Live Updates On Cases, Closures, Orders