Coronavirus update, May 19: Stanislaus deaths at 26; Turlock faces budget troubles
Here is the latest on the coronavirus outbreak from in and around Modesto and Stanislaus County.
Latest facts on COVID-10 testing in Modesto area
A total of 587 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Deaths rose by two Monday to 26. Another 8,986 tested negative. The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 107, and 438 are presumed to be recovered.
The positivity rate is at 6.1%, down from 6.4% the day before.
Among the five county hospitals as of Monday, 52% of total beds are available, 45% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 81% of ventilators are available.
Of those who tested positive, 55% are female and 45% male. Eight percent are 20 or younger, 15% are 21 to 30, 14% are 31 to 40, 17% are 41 to 50, 16% are 51 to 60, 10% are 61 to 70, 8% are 71 to 80, 9% are 81 to 90, and 3% are older than 90.
Turlock has 174 positive cases, 149 are in Modesto, 71 are in Ceres, 46 are in Patterson, 14 are in Riverbank, 12 are in Newman, nine are in Waterford, seven are in Oakdale, and seven are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 31 are in supervisorial District 5, 21 in District 3, 21 in District 2, seven in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 32 COVID-19-related deaths among 699 cases.
- Merced County has 220 positive cases and six deaths.
- Tuolumne County has two positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 15 positive cases and one death.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 81,828 confirmed cases in California and 3,,287 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,508,957 U.S. cases and 90,369 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus announces two more deaths
Stanislaus County reported two additional deaths and 16 new cases of coronavirus illness Monday. The rising toll came as Gov. Gavin Newsom removed two key requirements for counties that are applying to reopen. Still, Stanislaus County’s reopening request was rebuffed by state. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
List: More than 300 Stanislaus businesses get $10,000 grant
Stanislaus County, CA, has awarded $3.1 million in grants to help local small businesses struggling in the new coronavirus pandemic. The grants are for as much as $10,000 each and help businesses cover expenses. See Kevin Valine’s story.
Virus aggravates Turlock shortfalls
Turlock residents could lose city services after officials compensate for the coronavirus crisis causing a multi-million dollar budget deficit next fiscal year. Read Kristin Lam’s story.
UC Merced professors rebut sheriff
A group of UC Merced professors wrote an op-ed letter opposing Sheriff Vern Warnke’s efforts to ease the state rules aimed at containing the coronavirus. Read the letter.
Yosemite lodging still shut
Yosemite National Park lodging and tour reservations are canceled at least through May 28, said the park’s concessionaire, Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark. Read the story.
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, world
California is loosening its criteria for counties that want to reopen faster than the rest of the state. They will no longer have to meet the requirement that they have no COVID-19 deaths in the last 14 days. Read the story.
After weeks of dour statements about the future of sporting events in California during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that professional sports might be able to play games without fans in attendance in early June. Read the story.
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is taking hydroxychloroquine, which is approved for treating malaria and lupus but has not been proven as a treatment for the coronavirus. Read the story.
A pastor in Butte County said he doesn’t need to defend his decision to hold services in person — an event at which an estimated 180 congregants were present with someone who had been infected with the coronavirus. Read the story.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 6:53 AM.
