Stanislaus reaches 200 deaths to COVID-19. How does it compare to flu, other causes?
Stanislaus County announced Monday that 200 residents have died from COVID-19. And it offered a comparison to other causes of death.
The county Health Services Agency added two people to the 198 already lost to the pandemic. Details were not available on the latest deaths.
The virus continues to take a painful toll in a county that looked early on as if it might get through it OK. The first death was not reported until April 10, several weeks after similar counties. May and June were moderate compared with other areas.
July and August have been deadly. The county reported its 100th death on July 29, more than three months after the first. It took just 19 days to hit 200.
Some skeptics have suggested, in comments on Bee stories and elsewhere, that COVID-19 is no worse than seasonal influenza.
Health Educator Bobby Moser took that on in the semi-weekly Facebook video update for the county Office of Emergency Services.
He noted that COVID-19 already is prominent on the list, which is based on average annual deaths from 2014 to 2018.
Heart disease is No. 1, with an average of 1,027 deaths per year. COVID-19 is seventh, with 200 deaths in less than half a year. Influenza and pneumonia were listed together and totaled just 89.
“We can prevent COVID-19 from getting higher on this list,” Moser said.
Stanislaus County offers details on victims
Health officials remind residents of the mandate to wear face coverings when out in public. They also should keep at least 6 feet from people not in their household, and sanitize their hands and often-touches surfaces.
Moser provided rough details on the 198 people who had died before the late-afternoon update:
- Their ages range from 29 to 97
- 81% are 65 or older
- Three-quarters died in local hospitals
- Most had underlying medical conditions
As of Monday, 12,668 people have tested positive in the county. Another 64,608 have tested negative, and 11,342 are presumed recovered.
