Coronavirus update, Aug. 5: Stanislaus adds 9 deaths. Another snag with schools
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Stanislaus County added nine residents to the virus death toll Tuesday, bringing the total to 135.
The deaths happened over the past two weeks and included six men and three women, all with underlying health conditions, a county spokesman said. All were at least 61 years old.
The number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 stood at 9,308 on Tuesday, up 31 from Monday, according to the county Health Services Agency.
Of the 61,529 tests, 52,221 have tested negative and 8,467 are presumed to have recovered.
Tuesday’s positivity rate was 29.2%, based on an unusually low 106 tests. The rolling 14-day rate of infection was 25.7%. The seven-day positivity rate stood at 30.8%. The county’s overall rate since March was 15.1%.
There are 218 people with confirmed cases in the county’s five hospitals, down from 219 on Monday. Two percent of the adult ICU beds are available.
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 61 percent of the positive cases, according to county data.
Modesto has 3,282 positive cases, 1,182 are in Ceres, 1,128 are in Turlock, 434 are in Patterson, 391 are in Riverbank, 187 are in Oakdale, 159 are in Waterford, 148 are in Newman, and 93 are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 580 are in supervisorial District 5, 538 are in District 3, which includes Salida, 378 are in District 2, 173 are in District 1, and 47 are in District 4.
- San Joaquin County has 180 COVID-19-related deaths among 11,958 cases.
- Merced County has 51 deaths among 4,583 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 144 cases and two deaths.
- Mariposa County has 59 positive cases and two deaths.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 526,968 confirmed cases in California and 9,707 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 4,771,846 U.S. cases and 156,839 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
More complications on school return
A couple of developments late Monday could mean big changes in Stanislaus County school districts’ plans for distance vs. in-person learning and for providing on-campus care for employees’ children. Read Deke Farrow’s story.
Stanislaus care centers struggle
Some additional long-term care facilities have struggled with coronavirus outbreaks during the surge of illness in Stanislaus County. Read Ken Carlson’s story.
Private schools vary on fall semester
While Stanislaus County public schools agreed to begin August with remote instruction weeks ago, private school plans vary and continue to change as start dates approach. Read Kristin Lam’s story.
Yes, the Stanislaus County library remains accessible
The coronavirus pandemic closed library buildings in Stanislaus County in the Central Valley of California, but the librarians pivoted to a digital world to maintain access to books, activities and services. Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.
COVID-19: Modesto mayor candidate campaigns without masks
Modesto’s Big Valley Grace Community Church pastor Rick Countryman is campaigning on Facebook Live to be the California city’s mayor. But his video interviews show a lack of COVID-19 safety protocols. 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 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.
From around the state, nation and world
As some schools prepare to start in-person classes, doctors across the country are urging parents to take steps to help keep their children healthy. That includes making sure kids are up to date on routine vaccinations, pediatricians warn. Read the story.
President Donald Trump is now supporting the use of face masks to quell the coronavirus pandemic — even asking his base to wear them. Read the story.
A gym owner in California has been charged after allegedly violating the state’s coronavirus shutdown orders, according to the San Diego District Attorney’s office. Read the story.
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 5:01 AM.
