Coronavirus update, Aug. 9: Infection rate drops after release of more than 1,800 results
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Stanislaus County saw a drop in infection rate Saturday after the release of its latest test results, the largest single-day data drop.
The county had 99 positive tests out of 1,801 total results, the first time since late July that more than 1,000 results have been released in a single day.
Saturday’s 5.5% infection rate lowered the overall rate since March to below 15% and the seven-day rate fell by more nearly 10 percentage points.
Technical errors in the state system had severely cut back on the number of results coming back in recent days. However, according to the state website, those issues have been corrected.
The seven-day rolling rate on Saturday was 14.81%, well off Friday’s 24.52%. The 14-day rate on Friday of 24.52% dropped to 20.49%, which is still three times more than the state’s 6.0%.
On a somber note, the county reported that one more person had died, leaving the death toll at 161. Its 29.41 deaths per 100,000 residents remains third highest among the eight San Joaquin Valley counties.
In all, 55,080 have been tested countywide, with 9,655 positive tests. Just over 9,000 have been presumed recovered.
The county’s detailed COVID-19 dashboard remained out of service Saturday as the technical errors in the state system had lingered into the weekend.
That means no Stanislaus County data on gender and age ranges of positive people, or their place of residence were available. Hospital capacity also is not available, including the key measure of adult ICU beds.
In other nearby counties:
- San Joaquin County has 211 COVID-19-related deaths among 12,303 cases.
- Merced County has 64 deaths among 5,012 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 152 cases and two deaths.
- Mariposa County has 61 cases and two deaths.
San Joaquin, Merced and Tuolumne counties did not report new numbers on Saturday.
As of Sunday, there were 554,388 confirmed cases in California and 10,307 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 4,998,802 U.S. cases and 162,430 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
Modesto-area ICUs: ‘Nothing but struggle, failure and death.’
A Modesto nurse goes public about hospitals in Stanislaus County that are overburdened with patients suffering from COVID-19. The current wave includes younger adults who are fighting for their lives.
Modesto-area hospitals receive additional staff
Three hospitals have received temporary staff through the state’s Medical and Health Operational Area Coordinator program, administered through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
PPE giveaway to Modesto-area doctors to lessen risks
The Stanislaus Medical Society and state partners distributed boxes of medical-grade PPE to local practices struggling with PPE shortages.
Gallo Center gives up on 2020
While hopes were that Modesto’s Gallo Center for the Arts could reopen with shows in November, that won’t happen.
Turlock Lake restricts visitors
California State Parks is temporarily closing Turlock Lake State Recreation Area’s campground as of Friday to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, but still will allow day use, including boating and fishing.
Oakdale teachers talk about challenge
As she worked from her desk in her empty classroom at Fair Oaks Elementary School on Thursday morning, fifth-grade teacher Mary White had to put on her IT-troubleshooter hat a number of times.
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.
From around the state, nation and world
Millions of unemployed Californians would see $400 a week more in their weekly unemployment payments — possibly by the end of the month — thanks to the executive order President Donald Trump signed Saturday.
Three of the nation’s highest-ranking Catholic leaders, in a recent joint appeal, said Catholic schools “are presently facing their greatest financial crisis” and warned that hundreds more closures are likely without federal support.
The pastor of a California church has vowed to continue holding indoor worship in defiance of coronavirus health orders after a judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the church from doing so.
This story was originally published August 9, 2020 at 6:50 AM.
