Coronavirus update, July 18: Stanislaus deaths reach 63, 300 new cases reported
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 announced Friday that deaths to the virus had risen from 61 to 63. Twelve of them have been reported over the past three days, according to the county Health Services Agency.
The residents who died include 34 men and 29 women. The total includes 55 people 65 or older, four between 50 and 64, and four between 18 and 49.
Total positive tests after the announcement Friday of 300 new cases stood at 6,077, with 3,086 presumed recovered. Another 41,573 people have tested negative.
Friday’s positivity rate of 31.88% was second only to the 47.21% on Wednesday. The infection rate since the county started documenting data was 12.8% on Friday, up from 12.4% on Thursday.
The rolling 14-day rate of infection stood at 19.44% as of Friday, compared with 18.16% the day before. That’s more than double the state average of 7..4%. The rolling seven-day rate of infection was 25.30% on Friday, up from 23.69% on Thursday.
The number of hospitalizations was 200 on Friday, up from 193 on Thursday. Among the five county hospitals, 36% of total beds are available, as are 29% of intensive care unit beds (only 7.8% total for adults) and 65% 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 2,036 positive cases, 802 are in Turlock, 788 are in Ceres, 261 are in Riverbank, 260 are in Patterson, 124 are in Oakdale, 109 are in Waterford, 83 are in Newman, and 56 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 402 are in supervisorial District 5, 378 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 224 are in District 2, 113 are in District 1, and 38 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 83 COVID-19-related deaths among 7,819 cases.
- Merced County has 15 deaths among 2,403 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 85 positive cases and zero deaths.
- Mariposa County has 35 positive cases and one death.
As of Saturday morning, there were 373,259 confirmed cases in California and 7,604 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 3,648,048 U.S. cases and 139,267 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus County unemployment rate drops
State restrictions set by Newsom may cause unemployment rates to rise again in July, as businesses and restaurants shut down again amid worsening COVID-19 infection rates across California, Stanislaus County. Read Kristina Karisch’s story.
Newsom tightens Stanislaus school order
All public and private schools in the more than 30 counties – including Stanislaus – currently on the state’s COVID-19 watch list won’t be able to physically reopen their doors this fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday. The schools cannot reopen until the county is off the list for 14 days. Read Erin Tracy’s story.
Modesto-area hospitals getting fewer N95 masks for nurses
Hospitals in Stanislaus County are treating a growing number of patients for COVID-19 illness during a shortage of protective equipment for frontline staff, which was largely created by the pandemic. See Ken Carlson’s story.
Facebook Live features four Bee reporters
Four reporters for The Modesto Bee will take part in a Facebook Live forum on health, business and education issues surrounding the pandemic. Read Brian Clark’s story.
Six Stanislaus, Merced restaurants violated orders
Six restaurants may face fines after being found in violation of inside dining closure orders over the 4th of July weekend in Stanislaus & Merced counties. California is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases. Read Marijke Rowland’s story.
Where to worship in Modesto region
It’s back to online and outdoor worship services for Modesto area religious organizations. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Symphony goes virtual, too
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will present its first virtual recital in what’s planned as a monthly event. Read Pat Clark’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.
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.
Around California, United States and world
Wednesday night, data on the novel coronavirus disappeared from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website — the hub of information for anything and everything COVID-19. Read the story.
National Guard reserves are assisting with the coronavirus response at a Fresno skilled nursing facility that faced a staffing shortage. Read the story.
Sacramento Republic FC’s entry into Major League Soccer has been delayed one year due to complications from the coronavirus pandemic. Read the story.
This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 6:07 AM.
