Coronavirus update, May 29: Stanislaus looks to antibody testing; Rules for haircuts
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 Thursday. A total of 683 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Another 11,950 tested negative. The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 116, and 558 are presumed to be recovered.
The positivity rate is at 5.4%, down from 5.5% the day before.
Among the five county hospitals, 51% of total beds are available, 49% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 83% of ventilators are available.
Of those who tested positive, 55% are female and 45% male. Nine percent are 20 or younger, 16% are 21 to 30, 16% are 31 to 40, 18% are 41 to 50, 16% are 51 to 60, 9% are 61 to 70, 7% are 71 to 80, 7% are 81 to 90, and 3% are older than 90.
Turlock has 199 positive cases, 177 are in Modesto, 86 are in Ceres, 51 are in Patterson, 18 are in Riverbank, 14 are in Newman, 13 are in Waterford, 13 are in Oakdale, and eight are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 39 are in supervisorial District 5, 32 in District 3, 24 in District 2, seven in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 35 COVID-19-related deaths among 842 cases.
- Merced County has seven deaths among 280 cases.
- Tuolumne County has four positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 16 positive cases and one death.
As of Friday morning, there were 103,936 confirmed cases in California and 3,993 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,721,926 U.S. cases and 101,621 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
New tack on testing
Stanislaus County is putting together an antibody testing program to help with measuring the spread of the coronavirus disease. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
New rules at reopened Modesto-area salons, barbershops
Hair salons and barbershops have reopened in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley of California after the coronavirus lockdown. Hair studios are returning with new COVID-19 safety measures; demand is high. Read Marijke Rowland’s story.
Modesto-area medical practices in survival mode
CARES Act funding is buying time for primary doctors to survive the financial impact of office closures due to the coronavirus. But, will the money be enough for already doctor-depleted Modesto-area practices? Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.
Diocese announces plan for return
Catholics in the greater Modesto region can return to Mass in limited numbers beginning in mid-June according to the Diocese of Stockton. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Another view on poultry safety
Recent commentary in The Modesto Bee inaccurately casts aspersions on the record of the California poultry industry in proactively responding to COVID-19, and on the steps the industry has taken to protect its workforce. Read the guest comment from Bill Mattos.
Running list on where to dine
With restaurants in Stanislaus County now allowed to reopen their dining rooms, the only question left is what’s for dinner? Read Marijke Rowland’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
A Fresno nurse who had been exposed back in March to an infected coronavirus patient has died of COVID-19. Read the story.
Not so long ago, deciding whether to go out to eat was simple. But as the country remains in the grip of the COVID-19 crisis, the decision — along with seemingly all other aspects of life right now — is complicated. Read the story.
Dentist appointments for low-income Californians. A black infant health program. Housing for California’s foster youth. These are among the services California lawmakers want to protect from $14 billion in cuts proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to plug a $54 billion deficit caused by the coronavirus. Read the story.
