Coronavirus Update, Aug. 2: Stanislaus County reports 6 deaths as cases surge past 9,000
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
The first day of August brought another grim reminder of the coronavirus’ impact in Stanislaus County.
On Saturday evening, the county reported six more deaths as positive cases surpassed 9,000.
The deaths bring to 110 the overall total since the first was reported on April 10. There have been 47 announced in the last 13 days.
The county did not list information regarding the six reported on Saturday, including age, gender, hometown or any possible underlying conditions.
More than 8 in 10 of the 110 fatal victims were aged 61 or older. The county’s 19.97 deaths per 100,000 people is above Merced County (18), and below San Joaquin County (22).
The 171 new positive cases – bringing the state’s 16th largest county to 9,061, 13th highest in California – was out of 481 test results for a positivity rate of 35.55%.
The county’s 14-day rate grew to 23.92%, more than three times the state’s falling rate of 7.3%.
Nearly 1 in 4 of the positive cases came from those aged 30 or younger.
Of the 60,669 tests, 51,608 have tested negative. Of those who tested positive, 7,920, or 87 percent, are presumed to have recovered.
There are 220 people with confirmed cases in the county’s five hospitals – a number unchanged since Friday – with 55 in intensive care unit beds. Collectively, fewer than 4 percent of the adult ICU beds are available, the county reported.
Of those who tested positive, 54% are female, 46% male. Fifteen percent are 20 or younger, 22% 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.
Though they make up 47 percent of the population, Latinos represented 60 percent of the positive cases, according to county data.
Modesto has 3,189 positive cases, 1,157 are in Ceres, 1,118 are in Turlock, 422 are in Patterson, 387 are in Riverbank, 179 are in Oakdale, 158 are in Waterford, 145 are in Newman, and 95 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 571 are in supervisorial District 5, 532 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 374 are in District 2, 169 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 56 positive cases and two deaths.
San Joaquin, Merced and Tuolumne counties did not update their data on Saturday.
As of Sunday morning, there were 506,613 confirmed cases in California and 9,345 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 4,620,502 U.S. cases and 154,449 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Stanislaus County struggles with COVID-19 resurgence
Stanislaus County had a rough time with the coronavirus epidemic last month. County leaders say they are working to get the epidemic under control with testing and contact tracing. See Kan Carlson’s story.
Stanislaus County coronavirus victims more than just numbers
Stanislaus County leaders should show heart by resuming helpful details about COVID-19 victims , such as age and gender, in daily coronavirus reports. Readers also can help The Modesto Bee tell loved ones’ stories. Read Garth Stapley’s column.
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.
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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.
From around the state, nation and world
As the academic year begins in many places across the country this week, parents are faced with the difficult choice of whether to send their children to school or keep them home for remote learning because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many are unhappy with either option. See the story.
Early bands of heavy rain from Isaias lashed Florida’s east coast before dawn Sunday as authorities warily eyed the approaching storm, which threatened to snarl efforts to quell surging cases of the coronavirus across the region. See the story.
Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. Read the story.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
