PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987
VOL. 34, N0. 14
April 3, 2020
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
San Marcos launches $3M stimulus plan
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By Steve Puterski
SAN MARCOS — Famous for “Restaurant Row,” a number of breweries and a business-friendly atmosphere, the city is taking a proactive stance in helping small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Marcos City Council approved a $3 million economic stimulus package, the COVID-19 Business Sustainability Program, during its March 24 meeting. Mayor Rebecca Jones said the program came to light after discussions between City Manager Jack Griffin and Economic Development Director Tess Sa ngster. The city is in position to use $3 million for the loan program from its GenJONES eral Fund Reserves, which was projected to be more than $30 million, according to the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget. So far, more than 50 businesses have applied for $1.7 million in loans, Jones said. However, not all of the $1.7 million has been approved, she added. “It’s a short-term loan program,” Jones said. “We are in a place where we have some reserves. Investing in our community is very important.” For San Marcos, there are three loan options for small businesses. The first loan is up to $10,000 with 0% interest if repaid in 180 days. The second is $10,001 TURN TO STIMULUS ON A6
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Linnal Buell, 3, was all smiles and laughter while playing outside of the Community Resource Center on a sunny April 1 in downtown Encinitas. The CRC’s Food and Nutrition Center, at 650 Second Street, continues to supply free groceries for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The walk-up window is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon on weekdays. Photo by Jordan P. Ingram
Empty dorms could ease strain on hospitals amid COVID-19 By City News Service
REGION — San Diego County health officials today will continue working with UC San Diego to secure an empty dormitory for coronavirus patients too sick to go home, but not sick enough to remain in the hospital. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said Tuesday that the 200 to 250 beds the dorm will provide will
“raise the bar” on the number of beds available for any surge in COVID-19 cases. This “alternative care center” would open sometime in the near future, he said. County health officials confirmed 131 new cases of COVID-19 and two additional deaths Tuesday, bringing the total county cases up to 734 and nine deaths.
It is the largest jump in cases since the county confirmed its first case three weeks ago, and coincides with the highest number of overall test results since the crisis began, with 1,538 results coming in Tuesday. The county did not provide any additional information regarding the two deaths. Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health of-
ficer, said Tuesday that there was an additional death which was probably related to the illness, but it has not been confirmed and was not included in the latest numbers. There have been 136 San Diego residents hospitalized due to the illness since the county began recording numbers, with 56 needing intensive care. The county has not
provided hospital discharge numbers. Despite the marked increase, Fletcher warned not to read too much into the numbers at this point. “There’s not a lot you can read into day-to-day reports,” he said. “We need to look at the data week-over-week.” A week ago, San Diego TURN TO COVID-19 ON A3
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