Coronavirus update, March 29: Numbers, Modesto area residents’ stories; shopping tips
Here is the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to Stanislaus County.
Latest facts on COVID-19 tests in Modesto area
Here are the latest numbers surrounding COVID-19 positive tests in the area.
- In an update Sunday afternoon, Stanislaus County reported that 31 people have tested positive for the virus and 946 tested negative. There remain no virus-related deaths in the county.
- San Joaquin County has five COVID-19-related deaths among 121 cases.
- Merced County is up to nine cases, with no deaths. However, the county reported Saturday that it had its first community spread positive test. Reported tests remained at 61.
- Tuolumne County has one case, a visitor from Mono County. Reported tests remained at 145.
- Mariposa County still has no cases and reports 40 tests.
- As of Saturday night, there were 5,683 confirmed cases in California and 121 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. As of 5 a.m. Sunday, there were 123,617 U.S,. cases and 2,133 deaths (, according to the New York Times.
Stanislaus County resident share stories
Under the coronavirus stay-at-home order, Maria guides her 7-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son through computer lessons at the kitchen table, exercises in the living room and hands-on-activities she finds on YouTube. In between keeping them focused and texting teachers with questions, the 34-year-old Ceres resident worries. She worries about returning to her job next month and finding childcare. She worries about her husband, who works in landscaping and faces a higher risk if he contracts COVID-19 because he was hospitalized for valley fever last year.
As the pandemic continues spreading uncertainty across Stanislaus County, Maria isn’t alone. From the unemployed struggling to pay bills, seniors stressing about their health, to family members missing one other, Modesto area residents are trying to cope with upheaval. Several of them told their stories to The Bee’s Kristin Lam and Kevin Valine. Read the story here.
Modesto area residents rise to help others
How do you stay positive, when people are getting sick and working less or losing jobs and maybe homes, and the economy is falling apart? What’s your trick? The Bee’s Opinion columnist Garth Stapley looked across the Modesto area landscape, and points out many are doing what they do best — helping others. Read Garth’s story to find out where all this help is coming from.
Costco is packed. Are there alternatives? Yes!
If picked over shelves and crowded checkouts at supermarkets give you pause, you’re in luck. The Central Valley has many alternatives to find the food your family needs to get through the coronavirus crisis. After all, that’s one of the perks to living in the bread — and nut and fruit — basket of America. Smaller specialty artisan markets and locally owned grocery stores are also seeing new customers who are happy to find fuller shelves. These alternative grocers often work directly with area producers and can keep their shelves stocked despite the increased demand. Our Marijke Rowland offers some places, and tips.
Bringing smiles to Oakdale seniors
Valentine’s Day is long gone, but hundreds of Oakdale residents are taping paper hearts on their homes to support seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. The decorations have created a scavenger hunt for residents of Oakdale’s Astoria Senior Living, who look for the hearts and waving families as a shuttle bus drives them around town. Read Kristin Lam’s story and watch Andy Alfaro’s video.
Where to find help, takeout in Modesto
If you’re looking for Modesto-area restaurants that are open for takeout and/or delivery, here’s your must-have guide. If you own or know of any that are open not on this list, email Bee reporter Marijke Rowland at mrowland@modbee.com. Here also are some shopping alternatives if the stores you normally go to are out of your favorite food or other items. Also, if you’re looking for ways to give or looking for help, click on our list of resources.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, California
The number of coronavirus patients in California intensive care units doubled overnight and manufacturers are stepping up to build equipment like ventilators to fill hospital shortages, Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Saturday. He spoke from a Bloom Energy facility in Sunnyvale retrofitted to refurbish ventilators unusable after sitting idle for years in government stockpiles. Days before, the company had used the room for storage.
The Fresno County Department of Public Health announced 12 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the county total to 43 confirmed positive tests. Health officials projected the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to rise as more lab work is processed and confirmed. Read the story.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for “targeted testing” of the new coronavirus, arguing a strategic approach will help public health officials find hot spots and determine how and where the pandemic is spreading. But in the two decades leading up to the COVID-19 outbreak, 11 of California’s public health labs designed for the focused testing Newsom wants closed their doors. Read the story by The Sacramento Bee’s Hannah Wiley.
The scenes, captured by web cameras and newspaper photographers’ lenses, highlight Californians’ incredible efforts to isolate themselves in response to local and state orders to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now, for the first time, Californians know just how well they’re doing. Read The Sacramento Bee’s story.
This story was originally published March 29, 2020 at 6:19 AM with the headline "Coronavirus update, March 29: Numbers, Modesto area residents’ stories; shopping tips."
