Coronavirus update, July 15: Stanislaus has six more deaths. Old Scenic hospital eyed
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 death toll from the virus rose from 51 to 57 on Tuesday, the county Health Services Agency reported. Details on the residents who died were not available.
Total positive tests rose to 5,356. Another 39,974 people have tested negative.
The 14.97% positivity rate was down from 17.33% on Monday. The infection rate since the county started documenting data was 11.8% on Tuesday, up from 11.7% on Monday.
The rolling 14-day rate of infection stood at 14.33% on Tuesday, compared with 13.90% the day before. The rolling seven-day rate of infection was 17.98% on Tuesday, down from 18.24% on Monday.
The number of hospitalizations decreased to 182 on Tuesday from 188 on Monday. Among the five county hospitals, 38% of total beds are available, as are 29% of intensive care unit beds and 69% 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 1,875 positive cases, 733 are in Ceres, 661 are in Turlock, 245 are in Riverbank, 236 are in Patterson, 113 are in Waterford, 106 are in Oakdale, 73 are in Newman, and 49 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 383 are in supervisorial District 5, 351 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 203 are in District 2, 102 are in District 1, and 35 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 73 COVID-19-related deaths among 7,216 cases.
- Merced County has 13 deaths among 2,183 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 76 positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 34 positive cases and one death.
As of Tuesday evening, there were 336,508 confirmed cases in California and 7,087 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 3,426,053 U.S. cases and 136,430 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus deaths reach 57
Stanislaus County’s coronavirus outbreak has added six more to the death toll. The most recent update on the county’s data dashboard Tuesday said the total deaths from the COVID-19 respiratory illness rose to 57. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Scenic hospital may return to duty
While Modesto-area hospitals grapple with the explosion of coronavirus cases, Stanislaus County is creating a roster of medical volunteers to staff a potential alternative care site. Read Kristin Lam’s story.
Message to board: ‘Start leading’
As a coronavirus outbreak continued to burn through the community and fill hospitals with COVID-19 patients, Stanislaus County supervisors didn’t take any new steps Tuesday aimed at slowing the spread of the outbreak. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Modesto college-bound students weigh options
As coronavirus cases continue to rise in California and universities across the US close in-person instruction, many Stanislaus County college-bound students are left with uncertainty about what awaits them. Read Katherine Swartz’s story.
Where to worship in Modesto region
Stanislaus County religious organizations will go back to online and outdoor worship following California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order for them to shut down indoor services due to the recent surge of COVID-19. Read Pat Clark’s story.
San Joaquin sheriff tests positive
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month, he announced Monday. He is the brother of Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow. Read the story.
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.
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.
Around California, United States and world
More than 2,000 inmates at San Quentin have tested positive for the coronavirus and 10 have died, with at least three deaths reported since Saturday. Read the story.
Amid mounting lawsuits from universities and colleges in California and beyond, the Trump Administration on Tuesday rescinded a rule that would force international students to return to their country if they could not attend school in-person in the fall or risk deportation, the Associated Press reported. Read the story.
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 4:52 AM.
