Here is a list of the major developments in the coronavirus epidemic facing San Diego County, updated at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
• There have been 226 cases of coronavirus disease among San Diego County residents as of late Monday afternoon. Additionally, there have been 16 cases involving non-residents, primarily military personnel. So far, there have been two deaths.
• Across California there have been 2,102 cases and 40 deaths as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Health officials reported a second death from coronavirus disease involving a San Diego resident, and said two new cases involve infants.
• An estimated 350,000 jobs in San Diego County are at risk for layoffs in coming weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic, the San Diego Workforce Partnership reported.
• Sheriff Bill Gore said it remains an open question whether gun stores can continue to operate as usual in San Diego County in light of California’s newly enacted restrictions on business operations during the coronavirus crisis.
• California was ranked Tuesday as the most aggressive state in efforts to limit its residents’ exposure to the deadly coronavirus.
• Beaches, parks and trails are closed in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas and San Diego, and more cities may follow suit after crowds gathered over the weekend in defiance of social distancing orders.
• Mesa Biotech, a San Diego molecular diagnostic company, has received fast-track emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 diagnostic test, which the company says can provide results within 30 minutes.
• Researchers at four University of California Health medical centers — including UC San Diego Health — have begun recruiting participants for a clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of treating adult COVID-19 patients with an antiviral drug that has shown some success against other viruses. The drug remdesivir is made by Gilead Sciences in the Bay Area.
• Raoul Lowery Contreras writes that President Trump’s nuanced closure of the Mexican border shows he’s finally learned the importance of trade with our southern neighbor.
• UC San Diego Health and other hospital systems are seeking donations of personal protective equipment amid limited supplies.
• As California and the rest of the country have all but shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have been hit particularly hard, according to a University of San Diego survey.
• The San Diego Humane Society will be distributing more than 70,000 pounds of pet food and supplies across San Diego County to pet families who need extra help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center’s Jacobs Family Campus recently announced the launch of various online programs as San Diegans are ordered to stay at home following the increased spread of the virus, COVID-19.
• The South County Economic Development Council will be provide $5,000 loans at 0% interest to takeout and delivery restaurants in South County during the pandemic.
• The San Diego Symphony extended the cancelation of all concerts and events through May 2. Music Director Rafael Payare and his family have returned from Berlin to their home in San Diego, where they have been self-quarantining.
If your organization has relevant news to add to this daily list, please send to news@timesofsandiego.com.
