All San Joaquin County parks — including Mossdale Crossing and Dos Reis in Lathrop — were closed until further notice Monday while the City of Manteca started posting coronavirus update videos in Spanish and Punjabi in addition to English as 10 more cases were confirmed Monday.
That brings the number of cases in San Joaquin County to 51 with two deaths reported.
Meanwhile many private sector concerns considered essential are reducing hours due to a drop in foot traffic. Bank of Stockton, as an example, will now start closing at 3 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. There are still opening the lobby on weekdays at 10 a.m.
The county park closures also include Oak Grove and Micke Grove regional parks including the Micke Grove Zoo.
Manteca Public Information Officer Lantz Rey said the decision to do the daily postings on the city’s website in three languages was a bid to make sure all residents are being kept informed.
Manteca officials on Monday also stepped up their efforts to make sure that many of the most vulnerable — senior citizens — were receiving updated information about the pandemic as well as to check on their wellbeing.
Fire and recreation staff canvassed predominately senior residential areas —Eskaton, Magnolia Court, Almond Blossom Mobile Park, Southland Mobile Home Park, Camilla Gardens, El Rancho, and Del Webb — to make sure residents had information and update. That is in addition to the staff performing well-check phone calls to the nearly 500 seniors that are entered in the Manteca Senior Center data base.
A surge in the request for seniors sheltered in place to have access to free prepared meals through the county lunch program has created a waiting list of 50 people. Staff is working to try and meet the demand.
Recreation staff is delivering brown bags with food to seniors as well as the weekly prepared lunches.
Rey indicated the city may take their emergency operations virtual by having team members working out of their own offices while still having several people man the phone. The move, if it is made, is to impose better social distancing practices.
The City of Manteca emergency command center at the City Council chambers at the Civic Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to try and answer what questions they can from citizens emailing or calling in as well as to monitor the ongoing situation.
The phone number for questions related to the coronavirus emergency is 456-8854 while the email is eocinfo@mantecagov.com
City maintaining coronavirus
info pages on city website
The City of Manteca is also maintaining a coronavirus update site on its website at ci.manteca.ca.us
It is on top of the home page. Click on the banner and it sends you to resources dealing with the pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control to state and county agencies. There is also information regarding what businesses can remain open as well as possible help with virus related financial issues.
They also are posting a list of Manteca restaurants that are open for business for curbside pickup or delivery service.
The city has compiled a list of resources for seniors including which stores are conducting special hours to accommodate senior shoppers as well as those auto-immune compromised and who are physically challenged.
The hours have been changing as the pandemic unfolds. Target, as an example, has shifted to Wednesdays from 8 to 9 a.m.
The stores are:
*Safeway every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m.
*Target Wednesdays from 8 to 9 a.m.
*Dollar General every day from 8 to 9 a.m.
*Food-4-Less every day from 7 to 8 a.m.
*Walmart on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 a.m.
*Costco every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m.
*Grocery Outlet will make deliveries for seniors who call (209) 239-4295.
*SaveMart every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 a.m.
*Raley’s every day is offering Senior Essential bags for $20 in-store or curbside. The bags are filled with pantry staples and are available while supplies last. For more information call (209) 825-0242.
Local food pantry resources are Meals on Wheels (209) 468-1104, St. Paul’s Methodist Church (209) 823-7154, and Second Harvest Food Bank (209) 239-2091.
A congregate lunch program is being offered to seniors 60 years and older at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. You need to call each Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reserve a meal box that will include five lunches that are frozen or non-perishable. The meals will be delivered Monday morning by senior center staff. There is also a brow bag program available for needy seniors 60 and older that need groceries. Call (209) 456-8650 to reserve a bag.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
