Coronavirus update, Aug. 19: Stanislaus at 203 deaths. Infection rate declines again
Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area
The coronavirus death toll in Stanislaus County stood at 203 on Tuesday, up three from the day before, the county Health Services Agency reported. Details were not available on the latest deaths.
The 77 new positive tests were the fewest since the 49 on Aug. 6 and brought the total to 12,745 residents. Another 65,207 people have tested negative, and 11,487 are presumed recovered.
The one-day infection rate was 11.39% on Tuesday, down from 15.59% on Monday and well below most of the one-day readings this month.
The rolling seven-day average was 24.38% on Tuesday, compared with 29.59% the day before. The 14-day average was 20.93%, down from 21.49%.
The 3,469 positive results over the last 14 days put the case rate per 100,00 residents at 615. The state wants it at 200 before considering giving school districts a waiver for on-campus learning.
The county’s overall infection rate since March is 16.3%, down from the 16.4% on Monday.
At the county’s five hospitals, only two of the 117 intensive care beds for adults were available Tuesday. The total number of hospitalized confirmed patients was 185, a welcome drop from 205 the day before.
However, the county also has some COVID-19 patients at Central Valley Specialty Hospital, the former Modesto City Hospital on 17th Street.
Most of the county’s detailed dashboard tied to state data remained offline, meaning no updates on age ranges and hometowns for the positive cases. It’s tied to the state’s continued issue with a number of backlogged results.
In other nearby counties:
- San Joaquin County has 280 COVID-19-related deaths among 15,201 cases.
- Merced County has 95 deaths among 7,171 cases.
- Tuolumne County has 165 cases and two deaths.
- Mariposa County has 65 cases and two deaths
As of Wednesday morning, there were 638,140 confirmed cases in California and 11,504 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 5,482,823 U.S. cases and 171,833 deaths.
Here is the state tracker.
County, Modesto school say ‘camp’ not in-person learning
The sign outside Big Valley Christian School on Tully Road in Modesto reads, “Now meeting in-person & online.” It doesn’t say “In-person instruction,” and that is key when it comes to the “distance-learning camp” offered.
Modesto schools review first week
With its biggest tech fires put out by the third day of school last week, Modesto City Schools leaders said Monday that teachers now can really get down to the business of education.
Turlock distance learning camp runs while schools closed
A Turlock distance learning camp guides students through remote school and in-person recreational activities while following coronavirus safety guidelines. Staff say it may help working parents.
Stanislaus County nursing homes report coronavirus cases
Stanislaus County ranks ninth in the state for COVID-19 cases reported by skilled nursing facilities. Coronavirus outbreaks at Modesto-area nursing homes include Brandel Manor in Turlock.
Livingston mayor tells of Foster Farms outbreak
The Foster Farms facility in Livingston has had an outbreak of more than 200 infections in recent weeks, including at least two deaths, according to Mayor Gurpal Samra.
Putting a human face on Stanislaus COVID tragedy
Charlie Brown of Ceres led a long and full life that was ended by COVID-19 in a Turlock rest home. Lockdown rules prevented any of his 61 descendants from being with him when he died.
Stanislaus County health officer remains calm amid COVID-19
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, public health officer for Stanislaus County, trained for years to deal with the science of a viral pandemic. But, she said wasn’t prepared for the “lack of civility” from some residents.
From around the state, nation and world
A rare condition linked to COVID-19 has hospitalized more than 500 children nationwide — at least 10 of whom have died, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nursing homes saw a jump in coronavirus infections after weeks of declining case counts, a new report finds.
A review of 194 countries fighting against the coronavirus reveals that women-led countries such as New Zealand and Germany have fared “significantly” better than countries led by men.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 4:38 AM.
