Coronavirus update: Latest on positive COVID-19 test numbers; when schools may open
Here is the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to Stanislaus County.
Stanislaus County schools could resume around May 1
Stanislaus County schools would resume around May 1 under a rough timeline laid out by the county health officer on Wednesday night. It would take about that long to control the spread of the coronavirus, Dr. Julie Vaishampayan said in a Facebook Live forum. She was joined by county Sheriff Jeff Dirkse and Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvold. Read John Holland’s story here.
Latest facts on COVID-19 tests in Modesto area
Here are the latest numbers surrounding COVID-19 positive tests in the area.
- Stanislaus County has reported 13 people testing positive for the virus. For the first time since the early days of the pandemic, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency posted the number of tests in the county. Last night, it reported 487 tests had been given, the number including those “reported through the state infectious disease reporting system.” It does not necessarily include those performed by private labs.
- San Joaquin County reported its third COVID-19-related death with 71 testing positive.
- Merced County on Wednesday reported its first positive case. Not including county lab, the county reports 53 people have been tested with 34 cases pending and 17 negative.
- Tuolunne County has no positive tests among the 118 administered, not including private labs. Ninety-eight people have tested negative, while 20 tests are pending.
- Mariposa County also has not reported a single case. There have been 28 tests with 15 people testing negative and 13 still pending.
Modesto-area restaurants that serve, deliver
We heard from may readers wanting to know which restaurants are opening, serving meals that can be picked up or delivered.
Most national chains, including those with local franchise owners, have remained open including the vast majority of fast-food restaurants. All of the major app-based delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats have also expanded their delivery services locally.
See Marijke Rowland’s long list.
Modesto Gospel Mission is stepping up
The Modesto Gospel Mission is delivering free care packages of food, toiletries and other basics to people 60 and older stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. The packages include rice, beans, canned soup and other food to last two people for a week as well toiletries, the prized commodity of toilet paper, and cleaning products. People can get more packages after a week. Read Kevin Valine’s story here.
Meanwhile, looking to help those in need or need help? Here’s our list of Stanislaus County resources.
How much will your stimulus check be?
On Wednesday night, the Senate passed the unparalleled economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. Senate passage delivered the legislation to the Democratic-controlled House, which will most likely pass it Friday.
How much will household get? Here is our interactive calculator.
Around the San Joaquin Valley
One new coronavirus (COVID-19) case was reported in Fresno County on Wednesday, bringing the county’s total up to 19. “The danger is, if we do have uncontrolled transmission, it will be very hard to stop this epidemic and we do run the risk of becoming a hot spot,” said Rais Vohra, interim health officer of the Fresno County Department of Public Health, during a 4 p.m. news conference. Check out the Fresno Bee story.
Sacramento-area hospital leaders are bracing for a barrage of new patients infected with the coronavirus and suffering from COVID-19, a surge of cases they say is just days away and unlike any they have ever seen. “We’re climbing this curve right now with the expectation that the first week of April is when we’ll see a crest,” said Laurie Harting, chief executive officer for Dignity Health Greater Sacramento. “I hope it’s not for certain, but, obviously, everybody has to plan for that.” Read the Sacramento Bee story.
A prison that’s located in the central San Joaquin Valley received its first confirmed case of the coronavirus. An employee at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran tested positive for COVID-19, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) revealed on its website Wednesday. Read about it here.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 7:25 AM.
