Coronavirus update, April 22: Stanislaus mayors weigh in; Flea market eyes opening
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 Tuesday evening. It reported that 236 people have now tested positive for the virus and 3,401 have tested negative. Fifty-two people have been hospitalized, and 133 have recovered.
Of those who tested positive, 128 are male and 108 female. Twelve are 17 or younger, 127 are between 18 and 49, 60 are between 50 and 64, and 37 are 65 or older.
Modesto has 91 of the positive cases, 41 are in unincorporated areas, 31 are in Ceres, 22 are in Patterson, 18 are in Turlock, 10 are in Riverbank, eight are in Newman, seven are in Waterford, five are in Oakdale, and fewer than five are in Hughson.
- San Joaquin County has 20 COVID-19-related deaths among 456 cases. Details are in updates released each Friday. As of April 17, 186 of the positive cases were female, 184 male. Three were 17 years or younger, 176 between 18 and 49, 124 between 50 and 64, and 67 were 65 or older. The city breakdown: 193 in Stockton, 61 in Tracy, 53 in Manteca, 24 in Lodi, 21 in Lathrop, nine in unincorporated areas, five in Escalon, and fewer than five in Ripon.
- Merced County is at 92 cases, with three deaths. Of those who tested positive, 51 are female and 41 male. Three are 17 or younger, 59 are between 18 and 49, 21 are between 50 and 64, and nine are 65 or older. The cities where a breakdown was provided include Los Banos with 33 cases, Merced with 17 and Gustine, Delhi and Atwater with seven.
- Tuolumne County has two cases and no deaths.
- Mariposa County has no cases.
As of Tuesday evening, there were 35,802 confirmed cases in California and 1,322 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. There were 804,701 U.S. cases and 40,266 deaths, according to the New York Times.
Here is the state tracker.
Mayors: Let’s ease rules
As Stanislaus County officials are working within Gov. Gavin Newsom’s framework to slowly reopen the economy from the new coronavirus pandemic restrictions, several of the region’s mayors are asking to accelerate the process. Read the story by Kevin Valine, Ken Carlson, Kristin Lam and Erin Tracy.
Editorial board: Not so fast
Leaders of Stanislaus County and its cities should take a foot off the gas in their drive to reopen local businesses and group activities while the coronavirus crisis continues ramping up. Read the Modesto Bee editorial.
Most churches don’t see drive-in as viable
There’s discussion in Stanislaus County to open drive-in religious services during the current coronavirus stay-at-home order. But most religious organizations around Modesto, CA, don’t see that as an option. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Flea markets close, offer support to vendors
Modesto flea markets have the choice to stay open and keep the essential vendors selling, but Lary Gremp, owner of the 7th Street Flea Market and Pedro Marquez, owner of El Rematito on Crows Landing, decided to close their businesses. Read Ashley Jimenez’s story.
Head Start aids farm workers
Maria Yepez thinks her job as an agricultural worker is essential and with the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Newsom agrees. Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.
Some cities have stay-home fines
Five Stanislaus County cities can fine residents for violating coronavirus stay-at-home orders, but none have issued citations so far, according to the law firm that advises them. Read the story by Kristin Lam and Erin Tracy.
Merced nixes county fair
Officials announced Tuesday the Merced County Fair will not take place this year, adding to the increasingly long list of events canceled due to coronavirus concerns. Read Abbie Lauten-Scrivner’s story.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, California, U.S.
As oil prices sank to historic lows Monday, industry executives said the plunge is generating a wave of layoffs among the thousands of Californians who work in the state’s own oil patch, much of which is located in the San Joaquin Valley.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new website where people can sign up to volunteer for such things as working at a food bank, giving blood or delivery meals to seniors.
Ocala Drive-In in Florida is one of only a handful of movie theaters still screening films after emergency orders and social distancing guidelines forced most to close.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 6:47 AM.
