Shasta County employs dozens of people who work to trace the contacts of people who test positive for COVID-19, according to public health officials. Redding Record Searchlight

2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10

There were 41 new confirmed cases of the coronavirusover the past few days in Shasta County, health officials announced Monday.

That number brings totalcases to 459. Of those patients, 38 are in isolation, and two are hospitalized.

Thirteen showed no symptoms.

The newest people to test positive did so on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Here is how the 41 new cases break down:

In Shasta County, 10people have died as a result of the virus, according to health officials.

About 26,000 people have been tested for the virus in the county.

2:59p.m. Monday, August 10

With many schools set to reopen this week, the Shasta County Office of Education has released its updated guide to help parents and students prepare for what school will look like this academic year, including precautions that families should take on days their children will be on campus, how sports and physical education will be adapted and what will happen if schools report cases of COVID-19.

School will not look the same this year, but over time, we will all get used to the modifications, said Shasta County Health Officer Dr. Karen Ramstrom. "Education is essential for our childrens well-being and our school partners have worked hard to come up with plans that balance the need for education with student safety."

The guide, titled School Year Planning: A Guide to Address the Challenges of COVID-19, is available at http://www.ShastaReady.org. A section about the return to school of students with underlying health conditions and other needs is included in the guide.

The California Department of Public Health has also released updated guidance for schools and school-based programs and supplementary FAQs.

Each of the countys school districts decided on its return plan, with some choosing distance learning, others opting for a 5-day-a-week return to school and others selecting a hybrid of in-person and distance learning.

Also, school districts have all created plans to minimize risk for students and staff returning to school in a variety of ways, including physical distancing, mask-wearing and having children remain in cohorts for the classroom, meals and physical activity.

For more information on preparing your children for the return to school, go to http://www.ShastaReady.org and select Frequently Asked Questions.

1:45p.m., Monday, Aug. 10

Health officials warns those living in areas with wildfire smoke maybe more likely to contract the coronavirus, if exposed.

Wildfire smoke can irritate people'slungs, causeinflammation, affect people'simmune systemsand make them more prone to lung infections, including COVID-19, according to an announcement issued Monday by theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most cloth and other kinds of masks used to slow the spread of COVID-19 can't offer much protection against the harmful particles present inwildfire smoke, the CDC warns.While masks with N95 respiratorsprovide some protection against both smoke particles and COVID-19, supplies of N95 masks are often reserved for frontline healthworkers.

For more information on dealing with smoke during the pandemic, go tohttps://bit.ly/2XMw4w8.

12:56p.m., Monday, Aug. 10

The latest food delivery service to emerge in Shasta County during the coronavirus pandemic is Redding nonprofit Providence International.

Providence is in its second year of offering a weekly subscription service, which delivers locally grown fresh produce to homes and businesses.

Because of the pandemic, "there's definitely been an uptick in subscriptions," said Providence COO Shawn Kniep. The food delivery service now has between 175 and200 customers in Shasta and Tehama counties, he said.

The residential delivery service features foodfrom about 15 local farmers, including crops from Providences own Garden of Hope Farm.

Some of the farmers involved"used to utilize farmer's markets, but because of COVID, maybe they don't want to participate in that way,"Kniep said.

"It's a no-contact alternative, plus the convenience of having it delivered to your door. The fallout from the COVID has boosted demand for sustainable and local food security. It is something that has gained a lot of traction," he said.

Consumers can subscribe to an assortment ranging from organic produce, dairy, meat and eggs to locally harvested honey.

This year'sfood boxes are being delivered via refrigerated vans fromstartup Field to Fork Tehama.

More information is available on Providence's websiteor at530-215-1032.

Original story

5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10

Many North State counties reported new coronavirus cases over the weekend.

Here's where COVID-19 case totals stoodin far Northern California, according to reports from each county'spublic health department:

Far Northern California coastal counties:

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Here's how the latest statewide COVID-19 numbers break down:

Here's the caseload nationwide and worldwide, as reported byJohns Hopkins University:

More: Coronavirus live updates this week: Another death in Shasta County

More: School districts reconsider opening due to COVID-19 concerns

More: Help available for those who lost health insurance during COVID-19 crisis

Alayna Shulman covers a little bit of everything for the Record Searchlight. In particular, she loves writing aboutthe issues of this community through long-form storytelling. Her work often centers on localcrime, features and politics, and has won awards for best writing, best business coverage and best investigative reporting in the California News Publishers Association's Better Newspapers Contest.Follow her on Twitter (@ashulman_RS), call her at 530-225-8372 and, to support herwork, please subscribe.

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Coronavirus live updates for the week of August 9: 41 new cases confirmed in Shasta County - Record Searchlight