Coronavirus update, July 10: Masks worry Modesto hospital workers. Update on schools
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’s positive tests had a big increase Thursday because of a backlog of test results that needed verifying. The total is now 4,364, up from 3,004 on Wednesday.
The county Health Service Agency had cautioned that the jump would happen. The higher numbers already were on the state’s online dashboard but had not been on the county’s until now.
Deaths to COVID-19 remained at 50 on Thursday, after rising from 45 that day before, the agency reported in its online update.
Another 35,658 county residents have tested negative as of Thursday.
The 23.61% rate of infection Thursday was nearly triple the 8.65% the day before. The infection rate since the county started documenting data was 10.9%, up from 7.9% Wednesday. The rolling seven-day rate of infection stood at 12.63%. The day before, it was 11.11%.
The daily hospitalized count of confirmed patients was 167, up from 166 the day before. Among the five county hospitals, 38% of total beds are available, as are 32% of intensive care unit beds and 73% of ventilators.
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.
The breakdown by city was not updated Thursday. As of Wednesday night, Modesto was at 1,077 positive cases, 411 were in Ceres, 404 were in Turlock, 146 were in Patterson, 143 were in Riverbank, 55 were in Waterford, 50 were in Oakdale, 45 were in Newman, and 25 were in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 251 were in supervisorial District 5, 220 were in District 3, which includes Salida, 108 were in District 2, 46 were in District 1, and 17 were in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 67 COVID-19-related deaths among 6,065 cases as of Thursday.
- Merced County has 12 deaths among 1,793 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 60 positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 31 positive cases and one death.
As of Thursday night, there were 296,499 confirmed cases in California and 6,711 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 3,112,540 U.S. cases and 133,209 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Modesto nurses, doctors fret over masks
You won’t see nurses at Modesto hospitals covering their faces with bandannas to keep from catching the coronavirus. But a limited supply of N95 respirator masks and gowns persists and it’s increasing the risk that nurses and doctors will become infected with the virulent illness. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Stanislaus schools will resume one way or another
Starting the school year doesn’t necessarily equate to reopening schools for in-person learning, though that remains the goal for Modesto City Schools and other Stanislaus County school districts. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Coronavirus outbreak reported at Foster Farms’ Livingston complex
An outbreak of coronavirus has been confirmed at Foster Farms’ Livingston complex — the second Merced County outbreak connected to the Valley poultry company. Read the story.
Stan State and sister campuses could stay online
California State University students could be forced online for the rest of the academic year, which ends May 2021, CSU Chancellor Timothy White said Tuesday. Read the story.
Editorial: Get case totals straight
Stanislaus County officials must provide accurate local information on the coronavirus pandemic, an ongoing and worsening crisis affecting every life. The county admits that the website numbers they update daily have not reflected reality in recent days. Read the Bee editorial.
Outbreak at Foster Farms in Livingston
An outbreak of coronavirus has been confirmed at Foster Farms’ Livingston complex — the second Merced County outbreak connected to the Valley poultry company. Read the story.
Hughson smoothes over ballfields
City of Hughson staff repaired baseball fields they disked, Mayor Jeramy Young said, and are planning other ways to prevent activities prohibited by state public health orders. Read Kristin Lam’s story.
Turlock barbecue joint opens pandemic-style
Big Vic’s Barbecue has opened a restaurant on Golden State Boulevard, serving brisket, tri-tip and more under COVID-19 rules. Read Marijke Rowland’s Biz Beat column.
Modesto-area businesses secured millions in COVID-19 relief
Stanislaus County businesses are having success securing loans after help from the Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center, which is a California group assisting the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Read Kristina Karisch’s story.
Favorite restaurant closed? Here’s how you can help
Modesto restaurants are grappling with what to do when workers get sick with COVID-19. Food Fix, La Parrilla & Redwood Cafe chose to be transparent with the public & close temporarily. What aid is available? Read Marijke Rowland’s story.
Around California, United States and world
The state health department reported a record 149 COVID-19 fatalities Thursday, bringing California’s death toll amid the pandemic above 6,700. Read the story.
A month after mass demonstrations against racial injustice filled city streets across America, epidemiologists and a McClatchy analysis of COVID-19 case data suggest the protests did not lead to dramatic increases in transmission. Read the story.
A large study from Spain showed that antibodies can disappear weeks after people have tested positive, causing some to question how possible it will be to attain herd immunity. Read the story.
