Coronavirus update, July 28: Stanislaus deaths at 95. Numbers rise in all area counties
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Stanislaus County announced five more deaths to the virus Monday, bringing its total to 95. More than half of the deaths have been reported in July.
No information has been released about the age, gender or medical state of the victims before their deaths.
Monday was the first day all five Modesto-area counties – Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Merced and Mariposa – reported at least one death on the same day. Tuolumne County reported its first two deaths since the pandemic began.
As of Monday, 8,228 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 234 from Sunday, according to the county Health Services Agency.
Another 48,809 people have tested negative, and 6,770 are presumed recovered.
Monday’s positivity rate of 29.06% was down from 46.18% on Sunday. The rolling 14-day average rate of infection stood as 23.65%, up from 22.76% the day before. The rolling seven-day average was at 27.26%, compared with 27.11% on Sunday.
There are 211 confirmed patients in the five county hospitals, down from 213 on Sunday. Nearly 97 percent of the adult intensive care unit beds are being used, the county said Monday.
Of those who tested positive, 55% are female, 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 60 percent of the positive cases.
Modesto has 2,795 positive cases, 1,027 are in Ceres, 988 are in Turlock, 373 are in Patterson, 339 are in Riverbank, 169 are in Oakdale, 144 are in Waterford, 117 are in Newman and 81 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 517 are in supervisorial District 5, 481 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 319 are in District 2, 146 are in District 1, and 44 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 118 COVID-19-related deaths among 10,675 cases.
- Merced County has 29 deaths among 3,510 cases.
- Tuolumne County reported its first two deaths Monday and has 131 cases.
- Mariposa County has 48 positive cases and two deaths.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 462,632 confirmed cases in California and 8,539 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 4,294,770 U.S. cases and 148,056 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Health officer speaks for 669 infected kids
Stanislaus County reported Monday that 95 people have now died from COVID-19. And its health officer had a message on behalf of the 669 schoolchildren who have been infected. Read John Holland’s story.
Newson sends strike team, cash to Stanislaus
Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending three coronavirus strike teams to California’s Central Valley as the region battles a spike in COVID-19 cases and is working with lawmakers to send $52 million in federal money to the area. Read the story by Sophia Bollag and Ken Carlson.
No way schools should open with on-campus learning
Schools in Modesto and Stanislaus County cannot open as long as we’re embroiled in a terrible COVID-19 upswing. Read the opinion of The Bee’s Editorial Board.
Tuolumne County announces first two deaths
Tuolumne County announced its first two deaths to COVID-19 on Monday, several months into a pandemic that has killed more than 200 people in nearby counties. Read John Holland’s story.
Downtown Turlock street closes for outdoor dining
Downtown Turlock restaurants and shops can set up in the street thanks to an outdoor business permit. The Turlock, Calif., program intends to support local businesses amid coronavirus restrictions. See Kristin Lam’s story.
As pandemic ends fundraising galas, Modesto nonprofits go virtual
Modesto nonprofits have not been able to hold traditional dinners, galas and other fundraisers that bring together large numbers of people for a good cause. They have had to look at new ways to raise money. See Kevin Valine’s story.
Are Stanislaus schools, parents wired for distance learning?
As Stanislaus educators work to welcome kids to a richer distance-learning environment next month, tech staffs are getting devices into student hands and working to make sure families know how to use them and can get online. See Deke Farrow’s story.
Personal freedom to refuse mask? What about others?
Too many people gathering and refusing to wear masks in public helped make Modesto and Stanislaus County among the worst COVID-19 hotspots. Drop the personal freedom nonsense and wear a face covering. Read Garth Stapley’s column.
Uncertainties swirl around Gallo Center
The Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, California has been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus. With the recent spike of cases in Stanislaus County, it’s uncertain if it can reopen in the fall. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Coronavirus a crisis for Latinos in Stanislaus County
Nelson Gomez was among the first in Stanislaus County to suffer serious effects of coronavirus. He survived and now uses his radio station to educate fellow members of the Latino community about COVID-19. Read Ken Carlson’s and Ashley Jimenez’s story.
From around the state, nation and world
President Donald Trump’s national security advisor has tested positive for COVID-19 days after attending a family function, White House officials said Monday. Read the story.
New Orleans police are investigating after a man shot up a convenience store over a face mask dispute, outlets report. Read the story.
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 4:47 AM.
