Coronavirus update, May 8: Stanislaus deaths reach 19; retailers talk about plans
Here is the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to Stanislaus County:
Latest facts on COVID-10 testing in Modesto area
Stanislaus County reported its 18th and 19th deaths Thursday. A total of 476 people have tested positive for the virus. Another 6,639 tested negative. Ninety-five people have been hospitalized, and 305 have recovered.
The positivity rate is at 6.7%, up from 6.6% the day before.
Among the five county hospitals, 54% of total beds are available, 49% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 80% of ventilators are available.
Of those who tested positive, 50% are male and 50% female. Five percent are 20 or younger, 11% are 21 to 30, 20% are 31 to 40, 21% are 41 to 50, 20% are 51 to 60, 10% are 61 to 70, 8% are 71 to 80, 5% are 81 to 90, and 1% are older than 90.
Turlock has 152 positive cases, 121 are in Modesto, 54 are in Ceres, 43 are in Patterson, 12 are in Riverbank, 12 are in Newman, seven are in Waterford, six are in Oakdale, and six are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 24 are in supervisorial District 5, 20 in District 3, 11 in District 2, seven in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 28 COVID-19-related deaths among 581 cases.
- Merced County is at 157 cases, with three deaths.
- Tuolumne County has two cases and no deaths.
- Mariposa County has 15 cases, none fatal.
As of Thursday evening, there were 60,614 confirmed cases in California and 2,504 deaths, according to the COVID Tracking Project and Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,256,972 U.S. cases and 75,670 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
County has age details on deaths
Two more Stanislaus County residents have died from the coronavirus, officials said Thursday, raising the total to 19. For the first time, the county provided age ranges for all of the deaths. Read John Holland’s story.
Retailers await at curbside
After about seven weeks of being closed to help combat the coronavirus outbreak, some retail shops and other businesses across Stanislaus County will begin reopening Friday. Read Marijke Rowland’s Biz Beat column.
More workers will do contact tracing
Stanislaus County is building a cadre of health workers for more effective contact tracing as county and state residents are released from coronavirus stay-home orders. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Catholic parishes adapt
As places of worship continue to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic, some Modesto region Catholic churches are coming up with new ways to provide confession and devotions. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Turlock mayor: ‘A long way to go’
Turlock has become the Stanislaus County hot spot for the coronavirus, with over 100 confirmed cases and eight deaths at the Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Read Mayor Amy Bublak’s guest comment.
Stanislaus doctor decries ‘rogue’ actions
The sacred trust between physician and community recently was violated by two rogue physicians who opted to recklessly spread inaccurate and untested information about COVID-19. Read Dr. Amardeep Deol’s guest comment.
An appeal to Bee readers
The Modesto Bee is seeking donations to help cover the cost of reporting on the coronavirus pandemic and the challenge ahead for the local economy. Read Editor Brian Clark’s message.
Around California, United States
Gov. Gavin Newsom said professional sports have the power to lift the nation’s spirits and unite people living in isolation, but he doesn’t believe major sporting events will return any time soon. Read the story.
Older dependents are not eligible for coronavirus relief checks. While dependents younger than 17 can net their caregivers $500 a head, seniors and their caregivers are among the millions of Americans left out by the CARES Act. Read the story.
San Francisco is providing free alcohol, marijuana and tobacco to homeless people to help them with substance abuse addictions as they quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, media outlets reported. Read the story.
