ROCKY ISN’T SURFING 04-03-20 06:41 DC

KSCO SURF REPORTER ROCKY SNYDER ISN’T HITTING THE WAVES THIS WEEK…HE’S DOING THAT OUT OF FEAR OF PEOPLE WHO CONGREGATE ON SANTA CRUZ AND OTHER BEACHES WITH NO SOCIAL DISTANCING…

SPEAKING ON KSCO'S GOOD MORNING MONTEREY BAY, SNIDER EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IF BEACH BEHAVIOR DOESN’T IMPROVE HEALTH OFFICIALS MIGHT CLOSE ALL BEACH ACCESS.

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Engineers Start SC Face Shield Fundraiser 04-03-20 05:54 DC

KION Television reports that two Santa Cruz engineers, looking for a way to help health care workers at local hospitals, have started a fundraiser to provide face shields for Dominican and Watsonville Community hospitals.

They had considered using a 3-D printer to make face shields but realized the production would be too slow. However, they're using their work connections to place an order with a manufacturer in China.

Brian Peterson started a fundraiser on GoFundMe early this week, and as of Thursday evening, KION says it has raised more than $7,000.

Peterson said the fundraiser will be open until Sunday evening when he and his colleague will place the order.

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Updated: Number of Local COVID-19 Cases and Deaths 04-03-20 05:24 DC (2)

The Santa Cruz Sentinel publishes a daily map that shows the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in California counties.

Here are the numbers as of 5:30 PM Thursday: 

• Santa Cruz Co. 57 cases/1 death -- Pop. 273,765
• Monterey Co. 48 cases/2 deaths -- Pop. 433,212
• San Benito Co. 23 cases/1 death -- Pop. 59,416
• Santa Clara Co. 1019 cases/36 deaths -- Pop. 1,922,200
• San Mateo Co. 453 cases/10 deaths -- Pop. 765,935

Population data from https://www.california-demographics.com/counties_by_population

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Not Enough SC ICU Beds, Official Predicts 04-03-20 04:57 DC

The Santa Cruz County deputy health officer says the number of coronavirus patients requiring intensive care is expected to grow beyond local hospitals’ surge capacity.

“It’s not a matter of if, but when,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, the county’s deputy public health officer said Thursday.

Santa Cruz County’s hospitals typically have capacity for 25 intensive-care patients. Their surge capacity is twice that, or 50 beds. One study predicts as many as 150 ICU beds may be needed in Santa Cruz County.

Current projections show the 50-bed surge capacity could be exceeded by late April or mid-May, Ghilarducci said.

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