Coronavirus Update, Aug. 10: Results show mild stabilization. Infection rate still high
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
Close to 1,800 more Stanislaus County coronavirus test results were released on Sunday, with another 298 infections and the announcement of another death.
But in a potential mild sign of stabilization, the single-day positivity rate of 16.6% helped lower the seven- and 14-day rolling rates to levels of lower than 20% for the first time in weeks.
While hospitalizations of confirmed cases grew by two to 197, it was the first consecutive days beneath 200 since late July. The availability of intensive care unit beds in Stanislaus County remained below 6%.
The new data comes as the state continues to rectify issues with its reporting data. The 3,596 county results on Saturday and Sunday were by far the largest two-day total since mid-July. In the first seven days of August, only 2,756 test results were released.
The state website acknowledged issues have been corrected, but that “today’s data include some cases from prior days.”
While the county’s overall positivity rate stood at 14.9%, August has started with some promise in terms of infection rate compared to July. This month, 16.89% of the results have come back positive. July saw a positivity rate of 19.08%, 10 percentage points ahead of June.
The rollling seven-day infection rate is 13.78%, though the 14-day rate of 19.01% remains more than three times than that of the state (6.1%). The seven-day rate previous to the current saw an infection rate of 25.92%.
In all, 9,963 residents have tested positive, and 9,268 have recovered.
The death brought to 163 the number of county residents that have died from COVID-19. Stanislaus County per capita rate is 29.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, which is third highest among the eight San Joaquin Valley counties although some data has not been updated on other sites.
Though Friday, Tulare County has seen 42.04 deaths per 100,000, Kings County 36.61, San Joaquin County 27.68 and Merced County 23.04.
The county’s detailed COVID-19 dashboard remained mostly out of service Sunday because of the state’s issues, though hospital figures were up to date.
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 Sunday.
As of Monday morning, there were 559,746 confirmed cases in California and 10,377 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 5,045,564 U.S. cases and 162,938 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 10, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
