Stanislaus County sets a record for new cases as COVID omicron is spreading fast
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An update Thursday on the Stanislaus County online dashboard is further evidence the COVID omicron variant is highly contagious.
The county posted 1,565 new cases of infection. Those keeping track can mark that down as the record since COVID-19 was first detected in the county in March 2020. The county update Wednesday recorded 802 new cases.
County staff said the 1,565 cases was the total number reported to the county for one day.
The seven-day average case rate reflected a torrid pace of transmission in the community. It rose to 110 cases per 100,000 population, an increase from 19 per 100,000 two weeks ago.
Thursday’s update said 17.8% of tests are positive for COVID-19.
COVID-related hospital admissions rose to 191, up from 171 the previous day. Local hospitals had 27 patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units.
Since it first appeared in California in late November, studies have supported the reports in South Africa and England that the omicron variant generates widespread infection but causes less severe illness, fewer hospitalizations and shorter stays for those who need hospital care.
County public health officials have asked people not to go to hospital emergency departments for COVID testing. The hospitals are not community testing sites.
Officials said emergency room visits should be reserved for those patients who are feeling severely ill, for example, those with shortness of breath, or have serious concerns about their health and require immediate emergency care.
The county update Thursday reported two COVID-19 deaths, following two deaths recorded Wednesday. The dates and other details on the fatal cases were not available.
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has information about COVID testing sites, vaccinations and booster shots at www.schsa.org.
This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 4:47 PM.
