Avoid family gatherings, practice social distancing this Easter Sunday, says Fresno County
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno parks will be locked up to help prevent large gatherings on Easter Sunday. Picnic areas have been closed off.
But some had planned get-togethers at home.
Fresno County Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra asked people to make good decisions and continue to practice social distancing.
"Just be very mindful that the decisions that we make this weekend will absolutely reflect on what this curve does and how soon our hospitals reach their surge and their peak capacity," Dr. Vohra said
Easter tradition calls for people to gather at a packed park for BBQ and to catch up with each other. That won't be the case on Sunday.
RELATED: Crowds fill Fresno County parks despite COVID-19 closure
Family gatherings though will also pose a risk.
Dr. Vohra said younger people infected with the coronavirus might not show any symptoms so it's important they don't put older family members and friends at risk.
He explained, "That is something that is really the worst case scenario with this, is that you end up passing it to the most vulnerable members of your family and we know that could lead to some tragedy."
People have come out to support each other over the last few weeks through teacher parades through neighborhoods and even drive-up birthday celebrations.
Dr. Vohra suggested you avoid any types of gatherings which put you in close proximity with others.
"So whether that's a drive-in or a drive-through or a parade, really all of those gatherings really set people up to mix households and therefore mix germs and really that's how this COVID really gets spread around."
They're tough decisions to make but health experts felt up-close-and-personal visits weren't worth the risk.
Dr. Vohra also offered a stern warning to multiple families living in single households.
"Rural communities and... families with many generations in one household ...are at high risk of communications. There's still a perception you have to be a healthcare worker or live in a big city to be vulnerable, (but) we're seeing a lot of clusters of families affected in rural areas. Sometimes it affects people who've had family gatherings," said Vohra.
The department also gave an update about the new alternative care site in the city's convention center, which has hundreds of beds. They said it's been retooled and made ready to be used by a lot of patients, but their hope remains that they may not have to use it.
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