Coronavirus update, April 24: Stanislaus gets $96 million; park options increase
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 has five deaths among the 258 people who have tested positive for the virus. Another 3,680 tested negative. Fifty-nine people have been hospitalized, and 170 have recovered.
Of those who tested positive, 139 are male and 119 female. Twelve are 17 or younger, 137 are between 18 and 49, 68 are between 50 and 64, and 41 are 65 or older.
Modesto has 91 of the positive cases, 48 are in unincorporated areas, 31 are in Ceres, 27 are in Patterson, 24 are in Turlock, 11 are in Riverbank, nine are in Newman, seven are in Waterford, five are in Oakdale, and five are in Hughson.
- San Joaquin County has 22 COVID-19-related deaths among 487 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 100 cases, with three deaths. Of those who tested positive, 55 are female and 45 male. Three are 17 or younger, 65 are between 18 and 49, 22 are between 50 and 64, and 10 are 65 or older. The cities where a breakdown was provided include Los Banos with 34 cases, Merced with 18, Delhi with 11 and Gustine and Atwater with seven.
- Tuolumne County has two cases and no deaths.
- Mariposa County has no cases.
As of Thursday evening, there were 39,555 confirmed cases in California and 1,530 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. As of early Friday, there were 867,105 U.S. cases and 44,464 deaths, according to the New York Times.
Here is the state tracker.
Modesto, county open parks
While Stanislaus County’s stay-at-home order remains in place and nonessential businesses are closed because of the new coronavirus pandemic, the county and city of Modesto are reopening their parks, playgrounds and tennis and basketball courts Friday. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
County weighs use of federal aid
Stanislaus County leaders are not sure yet how $96 million in federal coronavirus assistance can be spent. But they are certain to find a way as the county incurs expenses from its response to the health crisis. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
High school tradition goes awry
Academic year most likely to end in a pandemic? No one could have seen that coming when high school yearbook staffs began work last fall. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Church opts for drive-in
Shelter Cove Community Church has decided to host drive-in services at its campus this weekend. The move comes after Stanislaus County released an amended health order Wednesday lifting some restrictions on certain types of activities. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Around the San Joaquin Valley, California, U.S.
Have student loan debt? Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that 21 of the 24 largest student loan servicers have agreed to a 90-day forebearance of loan repayment collection.
The House voted Thursday to approve another half-trillion dollars in federal relief to replenish a depleted small-business loan program and provide money for hospitals and testing.
Fox News has done the American public a terrible disservice by minimizing the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its speech is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be a basis for holding it liable.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 5:36 AM.
