Modoc County, 1st to defy California shutdown orders, confirms 1st COVID-19 cases

Deer cross Main Street in Alturas, in California’s Modoc County, in December 2019. The county was the first in California to reopen in violation of a statewide order. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Jul 29, 2020 / 08:47 AM PDT

Updated: Jul 29, 2020 / 02:03 PM PDT

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A remote California county bordering Oregon and Nevada that was the first to defy state shutdown orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has recorded its first COVID-19 cases.

Sparsely populated Modoc County in northeastern California has two confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the same household.

The county’s Public Health Department said Tuesday it is identifying people who may have had close contact with the people.

The department has also asked anyone who patronized a local bar to call officials.

The county of about 9,000 residents on May 1 defied Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shutdown orders by reopening nonessential businesses and restaurants for dine-in service.