Coronavirus update, July 1: Stanislaus has first under-50 death; Tips for safe Fourth
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
Stanislaus County reported two deaths Tuesday, raising its total to 44. One of them was someone 18 to 49 years old, the first time a county resident under 50 has died. His or her exact age was not disclosed.
The number of residents testing positive reached 2,255, according to the county Health Services Agency. Another 28,301 people have tested negative. The 8.94% infection rate was up from 4.98% the day before.
The daily hospitalized count of confirmed patients was 113, up from 108 the day before.
Among the five county hospitals, 41% of total beds are available, 36% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 78% of ventilators are available.
The infection rate since the county started documenting data was 7.4%, up from 7.3% on Monday. The rolling seven-day rate of infection stood at 11.44%. The day before, it was 11.67%.
Of those who tested positive, 55% are female and 45% male. Fourteen percent are 20 or younger, 20% are 21 to 30, 19% are 31 to 40, 17% are 41 to 50, 14% are 51 to 60, 7% are 61 to 70, 4% are 71 to 80, 4% are 81 to 90, and 2% are older than 90.
Modesto has 794 positive cases, 311 are in Turlock, 301 are in Ceres, 117 are in Patterson, 113 are in Riverbank, 40 are in Newman, 37 are in Waterford, 36 are in Oakdale, and 16 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 203 are in supervisorial District 5, 166 in District 3, which includes Salida, 68 are in District 2, 35 are in District 1, and 16 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 52 COVID-19-related deaths among 3,856 cases.
- Merced County has 11 deaths among 1,064 cases..
- Tuolumne County has 30 positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 26 positive cases and one death.
As of Tuesday evening, there were 232,107 confirmed cases in California and 6,078 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 2,634,432 U.S. cases and 127,410 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Inmates head for Stanislaus
Of the thousands of inmates to be released early from state prisons beginning Wednesday, more than 80 will be coming back to Stanislaus County. Read Erin Tracy’s story.
Tips for a coronavirus-free, safe Fourth
Is it safe to have a party on the Fourth of July during the coronavirus pandemic? Wear a mask, stay outside and social distance. Gatherings on Memorial Day led to a surge of COVID-19 cases about 14 days later. Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.
Nuts season is a bust
Fans who were hoping to catch a Modesto Nuts game at John Thurman Field this year received some tough news on Tuesday after the 2020 Minor League Baseball season was canceled. Read Julian A. Lopez’s story.
As cases rise, will Stanislaus County bars close?
Stanislaus County leaders didn’t take any steps Monday to follow through with a state recommendation to close bars as a way to reduce the spread of coronavirus. One supervisor expects the state will take action. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Parents weigh Modesto City Schools options
With just six weeks until the Modesto City Schools academic year begins, the deadline is here for families to state their preference between having their students study from home or return to campuses. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Hooray for transparent Stanislaus County businesses
Business in Modesto, Stanislaus County and beyond would do well to follow examples of transparency when their employees test positive for COVID-19. Honesty engenders loyalty and must be rewarded. See Garth Stapley’s editorial.
Modesto looks to cut 30 open police jobs
The proposed budget for Modesto includes cutting 30 open police officer positions and more than a dozen firefighter positions as the city has seen its tax revenue nose-dive in the pandemic. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
COVID-19 outbreak at church in Waterford
Six parishioners from Community Bible Church in Waterford, CA, tested positive for the coronavirus, after participating in one or two outdoor Bible study groups the week of June 15. Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.
More deaths in area nursing homes
Vintage Faire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Modesto reported Saturday one additional death for a total of four. Also, in an update posted on Thursday evening, El Rio Memory Care Center, also in Modesto, reported five total deaths. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Shows can’t go on yet for Modesto region performing arts groups
The crystal balls are cloudy, but the optimism clear amid Modesto region performing arts groups, shut down by the coronavirus pandemic. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Outbreak at Modesto Gospel Mission
The Modesto Gospel Mission is reporting nine cases of COVID-19 among its homeless men, in what an official says may be first outbreak among the homeless in Stanislaus County. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
County shuts down Rainbow Field sports complex
Rainbow Fields, a softball and baseball complex northeast of Modesto, was shut down because it was hosting a youth softball event against statewide coronavirus orders, a Stanislaus County official said. Read Brian Clark’s story.
Around California, United States and world
The first drug shown to help coronavirus patients recover in clinical trials now has a price tag. Remdesivir — reportedly capable of shortening recovery time by an average of four days — will cost the U.S. government $390 per vial, the drug’s maker said Monday. Read the story.
Almost every member of a survival training class at Fort Bragg is in quarantine following the discovery of a large coronavirus outbreak, U.S. Army officials announced Tuesday. Read the story.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 6:25 AM.
