Coronavirus update, April 19: Stanislaus County denies inmate ‘dumping’; numbers climb
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 remained at four deaths Friday. It reported that 221 people have now tested positive for the virus and 3,104 have tested negative. Forty-nine people have been hospitalized, and 98 have recovered.
Of those who tested positive, 119 are male and 102 female. Twelve are 17 or younger, 122 are between 18 and 49, 51 are between 50 and 64, and 36 are 65 or older.
Modesto has 85 of the positive cases, 40 are in unincorporated areas, 29 are in Ceres, 18 are in Patterson, 16 are in Turlock, nine are in Riverbank, eight are in Newman, seven are in Waterford, and five are in Oakdale. The other cases were not reported by city because of medical privacy rules regarding smaller cities.
- San Joaquin County has 17 COVID-19-related deaths among 410 cases.
- Merced County is at 87 cases, with three deaths. Of those who tested positive, 49 are female and 38 male. Three are 17 or younger, 55 are between 18 and 49, 20 are between 50 and 64, and nine are 65 or older. The cities where a breakdown was provided include Los Banos with 32 cases, Merced with 16, Gustine and Delhi with seven and Atwater with six.
- Tuolumne County has two cases and no deaths.
- Mariposa County has no cases.
As of Saturday morning, there were 30,811 confirmed cases in California and 1,148 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. There were 728,094 U.S. cases and 34,726 deaths, according to the New York Times.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus County denies inmate ‘dumping’
Stanislaus County Chief Probation Officer Mark Ferriera said his department did not send an inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 to a Northern California County. There were accusations Friday accusing the state and, in part, Stanislaus County, of inmate “dumping.” Said Ferriera: “He didn’t come here. We didn’t put him on a bus, we didn’t give him a bus ticket or pass. That’s completely false.”’ See the story by The Sacramento Bee’s Sam Stanton and The Bee’s Marijke Rowland.
Modesto distributor works hard to stay COVID-19 free
Modesto, California, company MTC Distributing helps keep the food chain moving during the coronavirus, supplying area stores with groceries. How it’s operating as essential business and keeping employees safe. Read Marijke Rowland’s story.
Modesto area’s many mask-makers hard at work
Ceres resident Ily Vidal and Salida native Ashley Borjon are making masks to help people in need and hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve combined to make over 1,000 masks. Read Julian A. Lopez’s story.
Modesto City Schools keep thousands fed
Thousands of students in Modesto, California, are receiving meals — breakfast and lunch — daily as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps kids out of class. Some parents need the food because they have lost their jobs. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
Abuse victims left vulnerable during coronavirus outbreak
Modesto and Stanislaus County authorities worry about domestic violence under stay-home rules, because that’s where abuse usually happens. It’s worse if the abuser is out of work and not getting paid. Read Garth Stapley’s column.
Tests available in Stanislaus County. Here’s a way to get one.
Stanislaus County residents can see if they qualify for free coronavirus testing that will start in Salida, California, on Monday, April 20, 2020. They must first do an online screening of symptoms. Read John Holland’s story.
Ceres’ Bates will play one more year at Washington
After winning back-to-back Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Awards, Washington senior Sis Bates had her season shortened due to the coronavirus. Thanks to NCAA ruling, she gets one more year of NCAA softball. Read Julian A. Lopez’s story.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, California, U.S.
Walmart is requiring employees across the company wear face masks as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The company announced the new policy on Friday.
A Visalia nursing home has the largest coronavirus outbreak in California among residents, according to data released by state officials Friday night.
Pressures mounted Sunday on governments to ease the economic pain of coronavirus lockdowns after protests from those fearing for their livelihoods, and authorities responded with a wide range of possible dates and solutions and a few emphatic “not yets.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom gave an update on the plan to help homeless Californians during the coronavirus pandemic Saturday. The livestream is now over, but you can still watch it by clicking on the video.
This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 7:04 AM with the headline "Coronavirus update, April 19: Stanislaus County denies inmate ‘dumping’; numbers climb."
