Coronavirus update, April 11: Stanislaus reports first death; IRS launches site
Here is the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to Stanislaus County:
Latest facts on COVID-19 tests in Modesto area
Stanislaus County reported its second death Saturday afternoon. It now has 116 people who tested positive for the virus and 2,212 who tested negative. Thirty-six of the positive cases were hospitalized, and 59 people have recovered.
Of those who tested positive, 60 are male and 56 female. Four are 17 or younger, 58 are between 18 and 49, 33 are between 50 and 64, and 21 are 65 or older.
Modesto has 53 of the positive cases, 20 are in unincorporated areas, 11 are in Ceres, 10 are in Patterson, five are in Waterford, five are in Turlock and five are in Riverbank. The other cases were not reported by city because of medical privacy rules regarding smaller cities.
- San Joaquin County has 14 COVID-19-related deaths among 257 cases.
- Merced County is at 59 cases, with three deaths. Of those who tested positive, 33 are female and 26 male. Two are 17 or younger, 39 are between 18 and 49, 12 are between 50 and 64, and six are 65 or older. Thirty are on the west side of the county, 29 on the east side.
- Tuolumne County has two cases and no deaths.
- Mariposa County has no cases.
As of Saturday morning, there were 21,374 confirmed cases in California and 598 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. There were 496,636 U.S. cases and 18,731 deaths, according to the New York Times.
Here is the state tracker.
Second Stanislaus death is adult female
Stanislaus County on Saturday reported its second death from the coronavirus, an adult female with “underlying medical conditions.” On Friday, the county announced that its first resident, an adult male, had died from COVID-19. Read the story.
Most spreading in Stanislaus County close contacts
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county public health officer, shed more light on the gradual, yet steady increase of confirmed coronavirus cases in Stanislaus County. Vaishampayan revealed the biggest category of cases were close contacts of people who previously tested positive. The health officer said it’s mostly spreading in households. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
We hoped this day might not come
Zero. By definition, it signifies nothing. But for four tense, life-changing weeks, that number has symbolized so much more to us here in Stanislaus County. It meant no one had died, not here anyway. Read Garth Stapley’s opinion piece.
IRS launches site to help you update your information
Seniors and low-income people who do not file tax returns can finally submit their information to the Internal Revenue Service to receive their coronavirus stimulus checks, but others who need to update their information from their latest tax returns will have to wait longer. The IRS launched a web page Friday where people who did not file a 2019 or 2018 tax returns can enter their direct deposit information to receive coronavirus stimulus checks. Read the story.
Know of a ‘hero’ in your area? Let us know.
Do you know of someone who is making a difference — big or small — in helping our community or individuals get through the impacts of the pandemic? Let us know. Take our survey in Julian A. Lopez’s story.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, California, the world
In a sudden reversal, health officials around California are now telling people to wear masks in public – and in some cases mandating that usage – just a week after some expressed doubts about the value of masks in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced Friday he is extending the city’s shelter-in-place order through May 6, and the city may use police or code enforcement to penalize residents and businesses violating the order. Read The Fresno Bee story.
Texas has the second largest population in the United States with 28.9 million residents, but it has the lowest rate of coronavirus testing per capita in the country, research shows.
This story was originally published April 11, 2020 at 6:15 AM.
