Latest Watsonville Coronavirus Updates

WATSONVILLE, CA — Santa Cruz County residents now have access to more information about the new coronavirus outbreak.

The county released a new, regularly updated information dashboard, which shows information about the age and gender breakdown of patients, number of patients hospitalized and tested, and how patients were exposed.

As of Tuesday 76 cases had been confirmed in Santa Cruz County, including nine hospitalized patients. There has been one death associated with the virus and nearly 800 COVID-19 tests have come back negative.

Two people younger than 18 have fallen ill, while 58 patients are between the ages of 18 and 64. There are 15 senior patients, according to the county.

Twenty-two people acquired COVID-19 from person-to-person contact, while 16 are thought to have been victims of community spread, meaning the patient does not know how they contracted the virus. Eleven patients fell sick after travel and the source of exposure is unknown for five patients.

>>>See statewide updates and news here

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The county is bolstering efforts to find hospital space for patients and deliver food to the needy as it tackles the new coronavirus outbreak. Officials announced Monday that the county found room for 100 additional hospital beds, part of 20,000 beds across California the state identified with the help of local governments.

The announcement came on the heels of the news that Santa Cruz County vacation rentals should cease operating amid the shelter-in-place order.

Last week Santa Cruz County officials announced they have seen early indications that the shelter-in-place order appears to be making an impact.

Local residents remain under an extended shelter-in-place order through May 3. Residents may leave the house for essential matters.

See which businesses remain open by viewing the Watsonville Patch Local Business Guide. Business owners can find more information about how to add their businesses at the link above.

To help support our local merchants and business owners, we encourage you to share a link to the guide with neighbors via email, text or social media. The businesses need our support.

Some business are getting crafty to adapt to our new way of life. Among them is Smith & Vandiver, a Watsonville-based skin and body care company, that produced thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer, police said.

Their West Beach Street building was hit by burglar and the company lost $12,000 in equipment. An arrest was made in the case last week.

Anyone making the trek outside should consider face coverings, such as bandanas or even t-shirts, the county said last week. Face coverings could help stop asymptomatic people with COVID-19 from passing along the new coronavirus.

While some have continued to gather at local beaches in spite of the shelter-in-place order in place through May 3, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is looking to stop public gatherings. On Friday the sheriff's office announced the creation of a Beaches and Parks Contact Team.

Santa Cruz Police have created a team to crack down on burglars hitting unoccupied buildings amid the shelter-in-place order.

Resources and Information

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

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

Anyone with questions may call 831-454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. or text COVID19 to 211211.

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