Coronavirus update, July 14: Steep surge in cases, hospitalizations have heavy impact
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 daily infection rate dropped Monday from the record set Sunday, the county Health Services Agency reported. Deaths to the virus remained at 51.
Total positive tests soared past 5,000 to 5,178 as of Monday. Another 38,963 people have tested negative.
The 17.33% positivity rate was down from 27.76% on Sunday. The infection rate since the county started documenting data was 11.7% on Monday, up from 11.6% on Sunday.
The rolling 14-day average stood at 13.90 on Monday, compared with 13.01% the day before. The rolling seven-day rate of infection was 18.24% on Monday, up from 17.56% on Sunday.
The number of hospitalizations increased to 188 on Monday from 172 on Sunday. Among the five county hospitals, 38% of total beds are available, as are 31% of intensive care unit beds and 70% 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.
Though they make up 47 percent of the population, Latinos represented 73 percent of the positive cases.
Modesto has 1,774 positive cases, 686 are in Ceres, 629 are in Turlock, 234 are in Riverbank, 233 are in Patterson, 105 are in Waterford, 104 are in Oakdale, 70 are in Newman, and 47 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 370 are in supervisorial District 5, 340 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 187 are in District 2, 96 are in District 1, and 29 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 70 COVID-19-related deaths among 6,988 cases.
- Merced County has 12 deaths among 2,082 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 73 positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 33 positive cases and one death.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 334,850 confirmed cases in California and 7,099 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 3,364.704 U.S. cases and 135,615 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Another pause for Stanislaus schools
Stanislaus County schoolchildren will not return to in-person learning during the first two weeks of August, as districts have been working toward. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Step backward for worship, salons and more
Numerous shopping malls, gyms, indoor worship and salons will shut down again in Stanislaus and various other counties, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday. Read the story.
Editorial: Thank adults in the room
Monday’s far-reaching actions closing many businesses and our schools in Stanislaus County were drastic, predictable and necessary. Read the Bee editorial.
Modesto restaurants expand dining while city mulls policies
While it might seem as simple as throwing out some chairs and popping open an umbrella, expanding outdoor seating in Stanislaus County comes with risk and legal complications for area restaurants. See Marijke Rowland’s story.
Stanislaus County hospitals feel the stress
A recent explosion of coronavirus cases continues to send patients to hospitals in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Stanislaus and San Joaquin are among the counties most impacted by coronavirus in California. See Ken Carlson’s story.
Trial by jury amid pandemic
Stanislaus Superior Court has resumed jury trials and other operations with social distancing and other steps to protect everyone from COVID-19. Read Erin Tracy’s story.
Surge postpones Modesto area art venue plans
Arts venues in the Modesto region are facing new delays given the upswing in coronavirus cases. A surge in reported cases in parts of California, including Stanislaus County, caused a rollback of some reopenings. See Pat Clark’s story.
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.
Around California, United States and world
California seniors with expiring driver licenses can wait to renew them for another year. For those with licenses set to expire between March and December, a visit won’t be needed until that time in 2021. Read the story.
The NFL on Monday revealed the Oakley Mouth Shield, a built-in helmet guard, in an attempt to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the Associated Press reported. Read the story.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was seen on a flight Sunday without wearing a mask, a photo shows, on the same day he attended a rally with around 200 people. Read the story.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 6:09 AM.
