COVID-19 Makes a Comeback in the South Valley

It really did seem that things were changing and that life was getting back to normal. After all, the state lifted its mask mandate in June.

Unfortunately, the one constant in recent months continues to remain constant. There are still mixed messages about how much is back to normal.

2021 Visalia Senior Games

"The Visalia Senior Games will not be held in 2021," said Laurissa Roggenkamp, recreation manager for the City of Visalia Community Services Department. "Recreation staff will be posting a notification on the Visalia Senior Games website and social media pages."

"Things are starting to get worse," explained Jeremy Rogers, community services director about the decision to cancel the games.

Local Senior Events

Kings County continues to offer classes attended by local seniors, including adult swim lessons, aerobics and Zumba.

The Senior Day in Burris Park will be cancelled again this year, however.

The Visalia Senior Center opened last month for indoor dining, but the drive-thru lunch program is being discontinued. Lunch is served Monday through Friday.

"The Senior Center Fall Open House will not be held in 2021 as staff will be focusing on rebuilding the community enrichment programs for seniors and then build towards rehosting large special events such as the Open House," said Roggenkamp.

The Tulare Senior Center's "Grab and Go" lunch program is still happening, according to Ashlee Winslow, the city's new recreation supervisor.

"I hope that eventually we can get back to a 'normal' but we will have to see what happens," she said. "As we move forward, all I can do is hope that state and local guidelines allow us the chance to get back to normal."

After the pandemic forced last year's Walk to End Alzheimer's from Mooney Grove Park in Visalia to neighborhood walks throughout the South Valley, the event will return to its traditional location this year. (See article on page 1.)

Hospital Visitor Guidelines

On August 6, Kaweah Health modified its visitor guidelines in an effort to better protect the health and safety of its patients and visitors.

Kaweah Health went from 10 COVID-19 patients on July 23 to 54 COVID-19 patients two weeks later. Eleven of those patients were in the ICU.

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, patients who are not COVID-19 positive can have one visitor each day. Visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and required to wear a mask while in healthcare facilities.

Entertainment Venues

Some entertainment venues have already started scheduling shows, including the Visalia Fox Theatre, which lists shows on September 17, and October 8 and 23 on its website.

The Hanford Fox Theatre, however, has no shows planned at this time.

"Since we don't know what's happening one month to the next it's really hard to plan," Libby Humason, Hanford Fox co-owner, told ABC30.