Coronavirus update, Aug. 1: Stanislaus has first day without a death since July 19
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Stanislaus County announced zero new deaths to the virus Friday, ending an 11-day stretch with at least one.
The total remained at 104 residents, according to the county Health Services Agency. Sixty of the deaths were reported in July, as many as eight in a single day.
As of Friday, 8,890 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 145 from Thursday. Another 51,298 people have tested negative, and 7,742 are presumed recovered.
Friday’s positivity rate of 19.6% was well down from the 34.5% on Thursday. The rate since data collection began in March is 14.8%, up from 14.7% on Thursday.
The rolling 14-day average was 22.4% on Friday, compared with 23.4% on Thursday. The rolling seven-day average was 23.8%, versus 25.4% on Thursday.
In July, the total positivity rate was 19.08%, more than twice than June’s 8.49%. In June, the county reported 1,510 positive tests. In July, there were 5,423 despite only about two-thirds more tests performed.
There were 220 confirmed patients in the five county hospitals Friday, up from 199 on Thursday. Only nine of the 116 intensive-care beds for adults were available.
Of those who tested positive, 54% are female, 46% male. Fifteen percent are 20 or younger, 23% are 21 to 30, 19% are 31 to 40, 16% are 41 to 50, 13% are 51 to 60, 7% are 61 to 70, 4% are 71 to 80, 2% are 81 to 90, and 1% are older than 90.
Nearly 4 in 10 of those testing positive is aged 30 and under.
Though they make up 47 percent of the population, Latinos represented 60 percent of the positive cases.
Modesto has 3,104 positive cases, 1,139 are in Ceres, 1,102 are in Turlock, 411 are in Patterson, 379 are in Riverbank, 175 are in Oakdale, 154 are in Waterford, 141 are in Newman, and 90 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 559 are in supervisorial District 5, 523 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 366 are in District 2, 168 are in District 1, and 46 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 168 COVID-19-related deaths among 11,483 cases.
- Merced County has 50 deaths among 4,285 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 141 cases and two deaths.
- Mariposa County has 54 positive cases and two deaths.
As of Friday evening, there were 500,556 confirmed cases in California and 9,214 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 4,563,252 U.S. cases and 153,320 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Oakdale Community Park closes again as crowds gather
Oakdale has closed its Oakdale Community Park because too many people were using it without practicing social distancing to stop the coronavirus. Nearby cities are watching their parks as the virus grows. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
Stanislaus County wants teachers on campus. What are options?
Most if not all public school districts in Stanislaus County expect the bulk of their teachers to work from campus as the coronavirus pandemic continues. There are some exceptions for parents and at-risk staff. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Stanislaus County awaits state aid on coronavirus
Experts from California agencies may be in Stanislaus County as soon as next week to help with the coronavirus pandemic. A local official said county is grateful but frustrated over lack of advance notice, details. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
What Modesto area companies got millions in COVID-19 aid?
The Paycheck Protection Program has brought millions in taxpayer-funded federal coronavirus aid for companies in Stanislaus County, California. Many businesses have stayed quiet about their forgivable loans. Read Kristina Karisch and Marijke Rowland’s story.
Stanislaus launches business grants
Stanislaus County businesses impacted by COVID-19 can begin applying for a new county grant program starting Friday, which will distribute $10 million to local businesses this fall. Read Kristina Karisch’s story.
Another live theater loss
Sierra Repertory Theatre has canceled the remainder of its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read Pat Clark’s story.
Outbreak grows at Salvation Army shelter
The Salvation Army reported Wednesday that the number of COVID-19 cases among the homeless men at its Berberian Center shelter has risen to 25. Read Kevin Valine’s story.
School chief will take online questions
For a telephone town hall meeting Monday, U.S. Rep. Josh Harder will be joined by Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall, who will give an update on distance learning and what it will take to reopen schools for in-person teaching. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Two Stanislaus reservoirs tighten rules
Only residents of Stanislaus County will be allowed at Woodward and Modesto reservoirs because of COVID-19. Read John Holland’s story.
From around the state, nation and world
A patient at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera has died from the coronavirus, officials confirmed Friday. Read the story.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, testified before a House subcommittee on Friday, saying he was “cautiously optimistic” that we could have a vaccine by late fall or early winter. Read the story.
This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 5:57 AM.
