Coronavirus update, May 23: Stanislaus deaths unchanged; Knights Ferry is now open
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
Deaths in Stanislaus County remained at 28 as of Friday. A total of 621 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Another 10,183 tested negative. The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 111, and 495 are presumed to be recovered.
The positivity rate is at 5.7%, down from 6.3% the day before.
Among the five county hospitals, 52% of total beds are available, 45% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 85% of ventilators are available.
Of those who tested positive, 54% are female and 46% male. Eight percent are 20 or younger, 15% are 21 to 30, 15% are 31 to 40, 18% are 41 to 50, 16% are 51 to 60, 10% are 61 to 70, 8% are 71 to 80, 8% are 81 to 90, and 3% are older than 90.
Turlock has 185 positive cases, 159 are in Modesto, 77 are in Ceres, 48 are in Patterson, 14 are in Riverbank, 13 are in Newman, 12 are in Waterford, nine are in Oakdale, and seven are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 32 are in supervisorial District 5, 25 in District 3, 21 in District 2, seven in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 33 COVID-19-related deaths among 752 cases.
- Merced County has 251 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 Friday evening, there were 43,085 confirmed cases in California and 3,672 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,602,148 U.S. cases and 96,013 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Where to dine now that it’s legal
Here is a running list of restaurants that are open or opening soon for dine-in service across Stanislaus County and beyond. Read Marijke Rowland’s story.
Mobile testing needed for south, west Modesto
Mobile testing for the coronavirus could solve the lack of testing in hard-hit areas of south and west Modesto, and could take this important service to other areas of Stanislaus County. Read Garth Stapley’s column.
Knights Ferry rec area is now open
The Knights Ferry Recreation area reopened to the public Friday after a nearly two month closure. The US Army Corps of Engineers closed the park March 26 to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Read Erin Tracy’s story.
Atwater grads gather
Stone Ridge Christian High School held an in-person graduation ceremony Thursday night at Castle Field, which is the school’s football field located on Castle Air Force Base. Read the story.
Tribute from the sky
Stanislaus County hospitals were skipped in last week’s flyover salute to healthcare workers but on Memorial Day will be included in one of two flyovers by the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing. Read Erin Tracy’s story.
Dining, retail return in San Joaquin
Indoor dining and retail returned to San Joaquin County on Thursday, just as its neighbor to the south emerged from these COVID-19 shutdowns. Read John Holland’s 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
President Donald Trump declared places of worship essential on Friday and vowed to “override” any state government that refuses to allow them to reopen. Read the story.
Takeout and delivery have become the only viable alternatives to dining out since the coronavirus shuttered restaurants across the U.S. — prompting Yelp to compile data on the most popular foods called in for every state. Take a look at the story.
Nearly 39 million Americans have lost their jobs so far because of the coronavirus pandemic, yet a new survey shows the majority of them aren’t worried about their wallets, but rather about how quickly their state is reopening. Read the story.
