Coronavirus update May 31: Positive cases move past 700; Seniors get Medicare extension
Here is the latest on the coronavirus outbreak from in and around Modesto and Stanislaus County.
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Deaths in Stanislaus County remained at 28 as of Friday. A total of 718 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Another 12,535 tested negative. The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 119, and 579 are presumed to be recovered.
The positivity rate is at 5.4%, same as the day before.
Among the five county hospitals, 50% 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, 15% 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 202 positive cases, 192 are in Modesto, 88 are in Ceres, 52 are in Patterson, 19 are in Riverbank, 14 are in Newman, 15 are in Oakdale, 13 are in Waterford, and eight are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 45 are in supervisorial District 5, 32 in District 3, 26 in District 2, 10 in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 34 COVID-19-related deaths among 858 cases.
- Merced County has seven deaths among 283 cases.
- Tuolumne County has four positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 16 positive cases and one death.
As of Saturday morning, there were 109,895 confirmed cases in California and 4,144 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,770,384 U.S. cases and 103,781 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus County seniors given extra time for Medicare changes
The federal government is allowing extra time for seniors who weren’t able to sign up for or make changes to Medicare benefits because of the coronavirus outbreak. The extensions are until June 17 or June 30. Read Ken Carlson’s story here.
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.
Merced Union High School District plans alternate graduations
High achools in Merced and Atwater will hold alternate graduation ceremonies next week with kids arriving to stages in vehicles to collect their diplomas. Read Shawn Jansen’s story here.
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.
Around California, United States, world
As the weather becomes warmer and parks slowly reopen after being shuttered to protect the public from the novel coronavirus, parents are wondering if it’s safe to take their kids to the playground. Here are some answers.
Across the country, farmers markets are making adjustments to reduce the risk of spreading the disease while helping vendors stay afloat. So, is it safe for shoppers to go? Here’s what experts have to say.
Lassen County in far Northern California on Thursday announced it would reverse course and allow businesses to reopen once again, only days after local health officials said their first-ever detected COVID-19 cases posed a “serious problem.” See she story.
For the fifth time since the coronavirus pandemic began, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has relaxed regulations on food labeling and packaging requirements for manufacturers and vending machine operators. Read the story.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 6:57 AM.
