10th Canyon Lake man dies of COVID-19; state order lifted

Amidst more dreadful COVID-19 news of another Canyon Lake person dying of the virus, the state has lifted the restrictive Stay-at-Home order allowing some shuttered businesses to reopen.

On Tuesday, the county announced an Hispanic 80-plus year old man from Canyon Lake died of COVID-19. He is the 10th person from Canyon Lake to die of the virus and the eighth in the past six weeks. The 10 deaths rank Canyon Lake as the city with the 8th lowest death rate per 100 residents in the county.

Effective immediately Riverside County is now back to the Purple Tier, which allows spas, gyms, bars, salons and outdoor overnight camping to reopen. It also permits restaurants to reopen for outdoor dining.

Some local businesses defied the orders and are not affected by the lifting of the Stay-at-Home state order. The Canyon Lake Police Department, which is under contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to supply police services, has been vocal about not enforcing the order.

Canyon Lake POA facilities, including its restaurants and Happy Camp, did adhere to the order and reopened on Monday (restaurants to outdoor dining).

Canyon Lake City Manager Chris Mann is happy about the relaxed restrictions.

“As the Governor has reinstated the color tier system, and as Riverside County has been placed back into the purple tier, a number of things change for the better for Canyon Lake businesses and POA facilities,” Chris said. “ Restaurants may legally resume serving customers outdoors, hair salons can re-open for indoor service, and retail businesses can increase indoor capacity. The city will continue to issue outdoor business permits free of charge to those that are interested.”

With a rise in infections and deaths from the virus, Chris continues to be concerned about the escalation of COVID-19 lately and encourages residents to adhere to safe practices.

“While all of this (easing restrictions) is great news, we are acutely aware that the number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise here in Canyon Lake,” Chris said. “The city encourages residents and businesses to follow all emergency regulations and recommended precautions, and to consider becoming vaccinated as soon as eligible.”

Other local and state politicians stress the same caution and advice.

“So many of our small businesses that have shouldered significant burden throughout this pandemic can now refocus on their recovery,” County of Riverside Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said. “While some of our businesses may be reopening, we cannot lose sight of the fact that coronavirus continues to be widespread throughout all of Southern California. It is absolutely critical that we continue to wear masks, avoid gatherings and practice good hygiene to slow the spread.”

While there are positive signs that the virus is spreading at a slower rate across the state, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, the state said in a press release to its citizenry. It is still critical that Californians continue to wear masks when they leave their homes, maintain physical distance of at least six feet, wash their hands frequently, avoid gatherings and mixing with other households, follow all state and local health department guidance and get the vaccine when it’s their turn, it said.

“Californians heard the urgent message to stay home as much as possible and accepted that challenge to slow the surge and save lives,” Dr. Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer, said. “Together, we changed our activities knowing our short-term sacrifices would lead to longer-term gains. COVID-19 is still here and still deadly, so our work is not over, but it’s important to recognize our collective actions saved lives and we are turning a critical corner.”

“California is slowly starting to emerge from the most dangerous surge of this pandemic yet, which is the light at the end of the tunnel we’ve been hoping for,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said. “Seven weeks ago, our hospitals and front-line medical workers were stretched to their limits, but Californians heard the urgent message to stay home when possible and our surge after the December holidays did not overwhelm the healthcare system to the degree we had feared.”

Meanwhile, the vaccination rollout continues in the county. Residents age 65 and older are now eligible for the vaccinations, as are those already approved (frontline healthcare workers, etc.). Riverside County’s first couple of batches for the 65-plus age group were gobbled up in two 32-minute periods of online appointment making. More are anticipated.

All residents are encouraged to take a PCR swab test to contain the disease. Anyone, with or without symptoms or health insurance, can take a free PCR swab test. Visit GetTested.ruhealth.org to make an appointment.