Home Care in Corona, CA

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new COVID-19 subvariant known as NB.1.8.1, or "Nimbus," is spreading across the United States and gaining traction in California, prompting health officials to urge the public to stay up to date on vaccinations.

The variant, first detected in China, now accounts for an estimated 37% of COVID-19 cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In California, the state Department of Public Health projects that Nimbus could soon make up 55% of the circulating virus, up from just 2% in April.

For now, those cases are more focused in northern and southern California.

One of the most talked-about symptoms of the new strain is what patients are calling "razor blade throat", a severe sore throat that some describe as feeling like swallowing shards of glass.

"With this variant, we are seeing patients presenting with a very painful sore throat, cough, headache, and nasal congestion," said Dr. Trinidad Solis with the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Solis says another thing that makes Nimbus unique is its rapid spread.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health is using wastewater surveillance to track the presence of the variant locally. Solis confirmed that NB.1.8.1 has been detected in the region's wastewater samples in recent weeks.

"We are starting to see COVID cases rise in our region," she added.

Despite the uptick, national COVID-19 trends remain relatively stable. Test positivity rates are slightly up, but hospitalizations are down, and the CDC reports low levels of viral activity in wastewater nationwide.

Health officials continue to recommend basic precautions: frequent handwashing, masking in crowded indoor spaces, and staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations. The 2024-2025 vaccines remain effective against the Nimbus variant, and updated shots targeting newer strains are expected this fall.

In Fresno County, residents can access up to two free COVID-19 test kits while supplies last. Mobile health units are also available to provide vaccines across the region, no questions asked.

For news and weather updates, follow Christina Lopez on X and Instagram.

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COVID-19 rages on as a new threat to the state of California. According to recent reports, a deadly subvariant, NB1.8.1 or “Nimbus,” is on the rise and carries symptoms of razor blade throats, which implies that those affected experience throat pain equivalent to having shards of glass stuck. The spread of this subvariant in other countries as well has raised concerns among the medical community and the general public.

ALSO READ| What we know about Covid variant ‘Nimbus’ known for ‘razor blade throat’ amid surge in cases

What is ‘Nimbus’?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new subvariant is a part of the Omicron family and is now almost parallel in effect to that of the last most dominant subvariant: the LP 8.1. The nimbus is now responsible for 37% of all coronavirus samples detected. California has been under threat by this subvariant ever since May and now comprises 55% of cases detected in the state as per the state Department of Public Health.

“Before Omicron, I think most people presented with the usual loss of taste and smell as the predominant symptom and shortness of breath,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious-disease expert to the LA Times. But due to the “razor blade throat” effect of the Nimbus subvariant, attention has now been diverted to “other aspects of these symptoms”.

Wastewater surveillance

Elevated levels of coronavirus have been detected in the state’s wastewater as per noted professionals and may be contributing to the spike in cases. Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, wrote in an email to The Times, “Wastewater surveillance across Southern California shows variability: Santa Barbara watersheds are reporting moderate-to-high levels, Ventura and Los Angeles counties are seeing low-to-moderate levels, Riverside is reporting low levels, while San Bernardino is experiencing high activity.”

The state Department of Public Health says that viral levels in wastewater have risen by 13% for the ten-day period concluded on May 30 which proves why more positive cases of the virus have started to appear in the city. As per its official website, coronavirus levels across California continue to remain at a “medium” scale.

Coronavirus levels in Santa Clara County have started to rise over the summer while the levels in the sewershed of San José are considered to be high. Palo Alto records “medium” levels and Sunnyvale reports “low”. San Francisco, on the other hand, still has a relatively lower number of cases being reported.

ALSO READ| What is razor blade throat? New Covid variant ‘Nimbus’ causing very painful symptom, know about prevention

This uptick in cases is happening at a time when the US Department of Health and Human Services, led by vaccine critic Robert F Kennedy Jr, is making the intake of COVID-19 vaccines substantially difficult. An open letter by 30 notable medical organizations has tried to criticize this call of the government and urges people to rely on scientific facts and get themselves vaccinated during a time of dire need.

By Stuti Gupta

9 AM - Main Street USA Independence Day Parade

The City of Corona invites the community to the Main Street USA Independence Day Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Corona’s Main Street USA Independence Day Parade is a non-competitive parade which provides entertainment, community spirit, and fun for all to enjoy. Drawing 4,000+ families, friends, and neighbors, the parade takes place on Main Street from Ontario Avenue to Olive Street.

PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE

Applications for the Parade are available online. Submit by June 20th to participate. Click HERE! to register.

PRO TIPS FOR THE MAIN STREET USA PARADE

☀️ Beat the heat wear a hat, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget that sunscreen!???? Go before you go. Limited restroom access.???? Bring your community spirit and be ready to cheer on your friends and neighbors!

PARADE ROAD CLOSURES

The following streets will be posted “No Parking” and closed to through traffic from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4.

For more details on the Main Street USA Parade, please call (951) 736-2241.

5 PM – Santana Park: Music • Food • Fireworks and More!

ENTERTAINMENT

Get ready to turn up the volume with Radio Royalty, the ultimate tribute to rock and pop royalty! From Queen to Journey, Prince to Bon Jovi, this high-energy band brings the biggest hits and legendary anthems to life on stage. Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to sing along to the songs you know and love – this is the perfect soundtrack to start your 4th of July celebration. This is the perfect way to kick off your July 4th evening of entertainment.

Y’all better hold onto your hats—Redneck Rodeo is stampeding into Corona with a wild country party you won’t forget! With their boot-stompin’ blend of classic and modern country hits, this SoCal favorite brings honky-tonk energy and good ol’ fashioned fun. Whether you’re a country fan or just looking for a good time, Redneck Rodeo will have you line-dancin’, toe-tappin’, and partying all the way to the fireworks.

All the Bounce You Can Handle — One Tiny Price!

Looking for a day of high-energy fun that won’t break the bank? For just $5 per child, gets unlimited timed access to our epic inflatable obstacle courses!

✔️ Safe, supervised inflatables✔️ Nonstop giggles and action✔️ Perfect for ages 3–12✔️ Timed sessions to keep things moving & fair

Wristbands give your little adventurer unlimited turns during their timed session — no extra fees, no hassle.

???? $5 per child Cash Only

FIREWORKS

The celebration concludes with the eagerly anticipated firework show to occur at 9:00 pm.

PARKING

Important Note: There will be a 30-minute delay for cars exiting the Santana parking lot following the fireworks show for pedestrian safety. Thank you for your patience.

Listen around the backstop at a youth baseball tournament, and you’re certain to encounter plenty of opinions -- from coaches, parents, and players -- about the “right” paths to the MLB Draft.

How many innings (or swings) are appropriate? At what age should a young person specialize in one sport? Is this camp, hitting guru, or pitching lab worth the expense?

The more years I spend as a baseball journalist -- and youth sports parent -- the less I know for certain. Based on personal experience and research I’ve read, I’m a strong advocate for participation in multiple sports. I also admire the passion of kids who fall in love with baseball at a young age and want to play it as much as possible. It’s difficult to tell young people not to spend time on a pursuit they love, even though taking breaks can be beneficial in the long run.

With that perspective, I drove 50 miles east of Dodger Stadium and spent an afternoon with the star-laden varsity at Corona (Calif.) High School.

“It’s a lot,” said Corona shortstop Billy Carlson, reflecting on the volume of intense baseball he’s played. “It’s a lot of playing. Managing the games so you’re not overworking yourself is a big thing. You’re getting invited to events here and here and here. Just learning how to manage the games you’re playing is big, in my opinion. If I could do it over again, I would be more selective of what I’m playing and not playing in.

“Obviously, you love to play baseball. You want to get on the field as much as you can. But there’s a point where it could be a little too much, and it gets expensive, too, for the family.”

Multiple top prospects for the ’25 Draft have taken different journeys to play at Corona, a public school that has produced Major League pitchers Joe Kelly and Tristan Beck. Corona went 28-3 in a dominant season that ended with an upset loss to St. John Bosco in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section semifinal.

Now the focus shifts to the Draft, where right-hander Seth Hernandez (No. 3) and Carlson (No. 7) are near the top of the MLB Pipeline rankings. Infielder Brady Ebel (No. 64) and two-way talent Ethin Bingaman (No. 150) also are candidates to be selected in the early rounds.

At the outset, let’s be clear about what this story isn’t. The quartet didn’t grow up playing on the same city playground, the way Hall of Famers Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Dave Winfield did at Dunning Park in St. Paul, Minn., during the 1960s and early 1970s.

But Hernandez, Carlson, Ebel, and Bingaman developed friendships with one another while growing up in the Southern California youth baseball circuit. All four train and take online classes at Futures Training Center, the baseball and softball facility co-founded by former Yankees minor league coach Brandon Oliver.

Hernandez, who grew up a Yankees fan, was homeschooled through his sophomore year and didn’t play a varsity game before enrolling at Corona as a junior. Ebel played his first two seasons at Etiwanda High School in his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga. Bingaman and his family relocated from Redlands -- 30 miles away -- so Ethin could play with and against the best players in the state during his senior year.

The question of whether Bingaman will be a pitcher or position player at the pro level has been a popular one among scouts. He’s comfortable at third base, second base, and in the outfield. Opinions about his future vary from team to team. Bingaman isn’t sure, either. “I’m kind of leaving it up to everyone that’s asking me the question,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Whatever you like me as, that’s what you can go forward with.’”

(By the way, the unique spelling of Ethin is in keeping with a family tradition of names ending with -in, along with father Dustin and brother Landin.)

Carlson is the only one of the four to spend his entire prep career at Corona. He attended his first Corona game as an eighth grader, as the Panthers faced local rival Norco High School. “It was super intense,” Carlson remembered. “I was used to travel ball games, having a few parents in the stands. Attending that game was like, ‘Dang, this is the real deal.’ I wanted to go to Corona after I went to that game.”

Carlson grew up as a fan of the Angels and Mike Trout. More recently, he’s gravitated toward watching Fernando Tatis Jr., because of his “passion and swagger.” Still, Carlson wonders how it would feel if the Angels were to draft him. Their first selection is No. 2 overall.

“It would be awesome to get selected by them,” he said, “but I’m just going with the flow and seeing where God takes me.”

Such perspective is common among Corona players, partially because of the culture instilled by head coach Andy Wise. A former pitcher at Santa Ana College and Long Beach State, Wise equips his players to manage the sport’s inherent failure, often citing principles of the late Dr. Ken Ravizza, a leading voice in sports psychology.

“I wasn’t the best pitcher in the world, but I had enough to compete, and I think I was good enough in the mental game to work through some of that stuff,” Wise said. “[I’m] trying to bring that to these [high school] players. My message to them is, ‘Let’s just be the best we can be on each pitch, and all the other stuff will take care of itself in the end.’

“It’s an ongoing process. [Mental training] is just as important as your swing or your arm care.”

The Panthers’ senior class featured six Division I commits in all, including Gavin Flores (Creighton) and Jason Gerfers (Arizona State). Crucially, parents associated with the program sustain a supportive atmosphere with their conduct during games.

“These kids are a lot like their parents: they’re into it; they’re excited,” Wise said. “You can hear Bill Carlson (Sr.) in the crowd, and he’s not just yelling for his son. I hear him yelling for everybody else, which is just great. Steve Hernandez, Seth’s dad, is kind of like Seth: very stoic, mellow, and a rock-solid dude.”

Ebel’s father, Dino, wasn’t able to attend many Corona games this year, and for a very good reason: He is the Dodgers’ third base coach. The Ebels still share plenty of time together at Dodger Stadium, where Brady and Trey (a junior at Corona this season) join their father for infield drills long before the Dodgers take batting practice.

Seth Hernandez’s great-grandfather, Joseph Hernandez, played for the Chino (Calif.) All-Stars during the 1920s, a local club that played a role in uniting the community across ethnic groups.

Carlson’s mother, Mary, was born in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes before moving to Southern California during childhood. Mary’s father and grandfather played in a Calvillo, Mexico, municipal league, and her cousin, Aldo Flores, has spent five seasons as an infielder in the Mexican League.

Dustin Bingaman played junior college baseball at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. His son’s collegiate future — unless he signs with an MLB club — is much further from home: Auburn University.

In fact, all of the Panthers’ top-rated prospects are committed to SEC schools: Hernandez, Vanderbilt; Carlson, Tennessee; Ebel, LSU.

The trend will continue next season, when scouts return to Corona to watch center fielder Anthony Murphy (LSU) and infielder Trey Ebel (Texas A&M) before the 2026 MLB Draft.

The SEC claims the last six champions of the Men’s College World Series.

“If you come out here to SoCal and watch a game, there’s going to be less fans,” Bingaman said. “If you go out to the SEC, there’s going to be thousands of people watching your game every single day. That’s the big difference.”

The spotlight has followed Bingaman and his teammates all season. It will follow them to the Draft and beyond, human stories behind the data in an amateur baseball galaxy of unending complexity.

4th Of July Independence Day Celebration

Main Street USA Independence Day Parade: 9 a.m.

Santana Park: Music, Food & Fireworks: 5 p.m.

From City of Corona:

"The City of Corona invites you to the Independence Day Celebration on Friday July 4th! Returning with the annual Main Street USA Parade, entertainment at Santana Park, and Fireworks show.

"9 AM - Main Street USA Independence Day Parade

"The City of Corona invites the community to the Main Street USA Independence Day Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Corona’s Main Street USA Independence Day Parade is a non-competitive parade which provides entertainment, community spirit, and fun for all to enjoy. Drawing 4,000+ families, friends, and neighbors, the parade takes place on Main Street from Ontario Avenue to Olive Street.

"5 PM – Santana Park: Music • Food • Fireworks and More!

"ENTERTIANMENT

"5:00 PM – RADIO ROYALTY

"‍Get ready to turn up the volume with Radio Royalty, the ultimate tribute to rock and pop royalty! From Queen to Journey, Prince to Bon Jovi, this high-energy band brings the biggest hits and legendary anthems to life on stage. Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to sing along to the songs you know and love – this is the perfect soundtrack to start your 4th of July celebration. This is the perfect way to kick off your July 4th evening of entertainment.

"7:00 PM – REDNECK RODEO

"‍Y’all better hold onto your hats—Redneck Rodeo is stampeding into Corona with a wild country party you won’t forget! With their boot-stompin’ blend of classic and modern country hits, this SoCal favorite brings honky-tonk energy and good ol’ fashioned fun. Whether you’re a country fan or just looking for a good time, Redneck Rodeo will have you line-dancin’, toe-tappin’, and partying all the way to the fireworks.

"FIREWORKS

"The celebration concludes with the eagerly anticipated firework show to occur at 9:00 pm."

More info here.

-- Image credit: Shutterstock