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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Dr. Gary Pace said nine new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Lake County on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the cumulative total to 23.
Lake County's caseload has nearly doubled over the past week, with 11 newly documented cases reported.
News of the local increase in cases comes as California's cases topped 101,000, with more than 3,900 deaths, based on information from county Public Health departments statewide.
With regard to Lake County’s newest cases, Pace said Wednesday night, “Two different clusters of active infections have been identified. Eight of the 11 recent positive tests are related to these clusters. Both are still being investigated, to determine if there are further associated cases.”
Of the 11 newly reported cases, three individuals tested positive outside of the area but reside in Lake County, Pace said.
He said all of those confirmed positive are stable and complying with home isolation. There are no active COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
“With many sectors of our economy reopening, and Clear Lake once again attracting tourists from areas with greater viral activity, some continuing increase in cases is likely over the next couple of weeks,” Pace said.
“Because we had relatively few cases over a sustained period prior to this recent rise, some may have been under the impression the virus was not present in Lake County’s communities,” Pace added. “It is more probable some mild-moderate infections were not being captured by testing. COVID-19 risk remains significant in our region, and travel will only increase as restrictions further loosen.”
Pace said all newly confirmed cases are taken very seriously, with each investigated, and contacts identified and interviewed. “In the event COVID-19 is suspected, we test and isolate those that may have been exposed.”
While some Northern California counties have already discussed slowing their reopening plans in light of moderate upticks in infections – such as in the case of Lassen and Sonoma counties – Pace said that isn't the situation for now in Lake County, as those involved in the local containment strategy have been able to appropriately respond.
“Recent positive tests mean we will need to move slowly and thoughtfully when further loosening restrictions, particularly if new cases continue to significantly rise, testing capacity is outpaced by need, or contact tracing or local health care resources start to become overwhelmed,” Pace said.
No-cost drive-thru testing is available at different locations around the county, open daily during the week. People needing testing can go to the Verily website and get screened and make an appointment.
Frequently asked questions on drive-thru testing are available here.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is asking for the community's help in locating a missing man.
Lloyd “Jim” Wilborn, 81, was last seen on Wednesday morning, officials said.
Police said Wilborn left his residence, located in the 15300 block of Pacific Avenue in Clearlake, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday to go to the post office at 14500 Olympic Drive.
Wilborn was wearing an unknown color t-shirt, blue ripped jeans, black work boots and a silver eagle necklace, police said.
He was driving a blue 1995 Honda Del Sol, license plate 4PVD572, according to the police department’s report.
Wilborn suffers from mild dementia and leukemia, and is hard of hearing, police said.
Police reported that Wilborn has a daughter, Ameli Hofer, who lives in Lucerne. He has not been in contact with his daughter for approximately five years.
Wilborn has no friends or businesses in the area that he visits or frequents and essentially stays at home, police reported.
He does not have a cell phone and has not been reported missing in the past, the department reported no.
Please contact dispatch the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 if you have any information on Wilborn or his location.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The CHP’s Clear Lake Area office issued a Wednesday report on the crash, which occurred at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Highway 29 and Bell Hill Road.
The report said the crash involved a 2016 Ford Explorer driven by 35-year-old Denice Guistolise of Kelseyville, who had two female juveniles from Kelseyville in the vehicle with her, and Debora Lynn Larson, 58, of Santa Rosa, who had a male juvenile from Clearlake riding as her passenger in her 2000 Mercury Mountaineer.
The CHP said Guistolise was driving her Ford eastbound on Bell Hill Road and stopped at the intersection on the west side of Highway 29.
Larson was driving southbound on Highway 29, north of the intersection of Bell Hill Road, at an unknown speed, the CHP said.
Guistolise proceeded into the intersection, directly into Larson’s path of travel, resulting in a broadside collision, the report explained.
The impact of the initial collision caused Larson’s vehicle to veer off the right side of the roadway where it then rolled multiple times and landed upside down on the west shoulder of Highway 29, the CHP said.
The CHP said Larson had to be extricated by emergency personnel and was transported by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for moderate injuries sustained as a result of the collision.
The male juvenile passenger in Larson’s vehicle was also transported by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for moderate injuries, the CHP said.
Guistolise and her two passengers were uninjured, according to the report.
The CHP said seat belts were worn by all occupants in both vehicles.
Based on the investigation so far, the CHP said it appears that neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the cause of the collision.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, the CHP said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
California residents in high-risk areas must do their part to protect their communities by creating and maintaining defensible space around their homes and structures.
With COVID-19 restrictions limiting Cal Fire’s ability to conduct annual defensible space inspections this year, property owners are urged to conduct a defensible space self-assessment.
Over the next few weeks, California property owners in wildland-urban-interface communities will receive a flyer with information on accessing the online defensible space self-assessment. The flyer also highlights steps for creating defensible space around homes and buildings, and ways to harden your home to be more wildfire resistant. The self-assessment survey is easy to use and should only take a short time to complete.
“This self-assessment helps our inspectors comply with social distancing recommendations while still collecting vital information,” said Chief Thom Porter, CAL FIRE Director. “We urge you to participate in the survey and do your part to protect your community by creating defensible space and hardening your home to increase its chances of surviving a wildfire.
“It only takes one flying ember to bring wildfire to your home,” emphasized Porter. “Fire can spread from house to house, especially in more densely populated areas, due to flying embers. Direct flames, as well as radiant heat from burning plants or structures can also catch a home on fire. This is why it is so important to create defensible space and harden homes – it’s a community’s best fighting chance against wildfire.”
Defensible space consists of two zones extending 100 feet from any home or structure cleared of dead trees, brush and vegetation.
Maintenance of these two zones creates a buffer to slow or stop the spread of wildfire.
Home hardening is preparing your home to increase its chance of surviving a wildfire. Upgrades of fire-ignition-resistant materials to roofs, eaves, vents, siding, windows, decks, fences and more can help prevent wildfire from destroying the house.
Visit www.readyforwildfire.org for more information.