By Martin Estacio | (Victorville) Daily Press
The mayor of Big Bear Lake, Rick Herrick, announced Saturday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Herrick’s announcement would make him the first elected official in San Bernardino County publicly known to have COVID-19.
According to Herrick’s Facebook post, his declaration would also make him the first confirmed case in Big Bear Valley which encompasses Big Bear City, Fawnskin, Sugarloaf and other areas in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The number of coronavirus cases reached 10 in the county on Saturday. Public health officials had not immediately released a statement regarding the new case.
In his post, Herrick, 62, said that he was tested after a week of self-quarantining after suffering with what he thought was “a bout with the flu.”
“A week ago, when the first twinge of illness struck me, I followed orders and stayed at home,” he wrote. “Although this was not fun or easy I knew that I was fighting something off and I didn’t need to expose myself to others regardless of the illness.”
His symptoms had been relatively mild, the mayor wrote, consisting of low-grade fever, chest pressure, achiness and fatigue.
“It was like the flu but very different at the same time,” Herrick said.
Signs of COVID-19 typically include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC, and may appear 2 to 14 days after being infected.
Herrick is also a Republican candidate for State Assembly District 33.
The latest election results show he was running second to Thurston “Smitty” Smith with 17.22% of the total vote and will likely square off against Smith in November.
Big Bear Lake is located about 25 miles northeast of the city of San Bernardino and has a population of about 5,200, according to recent census estimates.
Martin Estacio may be reached at [email protected] or at 760-955-5358. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.
©2020 Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
