Comparing June and July COVID numbers in Solano County cities – dramatic increases


[NOTES: For June-July comparison, see City Data below.  Solano County publishes a DAILY update, and displays past weeks and months in epidemic curve charts.  However, the curve charts do not display an accurate number of cases for the most recent days, as there is a lag time in receiving test results.  This methodology is accurate in a way, but it misleads the public by consistently displaying a recent downward curve which is often corrected upward on a later date. For a complete archive of day by day data, see my Excel ARCHIVE – R.S.]

Friday, July 31: 91 new cases today, no new deaths.  Since the outbreak started: 3,611 cases, 37 deaths.

Compare previous report, Thursday July 30:Summary

  • Solano County reported 91 new cases today, total of 3,611 cases since the outbreak started.  Over the last 7 days, Solano reported 482 new cases, an average of 69 per day.
  • Deaths – no new deaths today, total of 37 deaths.
  • Active cases – Solano reported 10 fewer ACTIVE cases today, total of 240.  On July 16, Solano hit a record high of 440 active cases.  Note that only 40 of these 240 people are hospitalized, so there are a lot of infected folks out among us, hopefully quarantined.  One wonders… is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons?  (See SF Chronicle report on contact tracing in Bay Area – “Solano County did not respond”.)
  • Hospitalizations10 fewer currently hospitalized persons today, total of 40.  1 more in the total number hospitalized since the outbreak started, 163.  (The County no longer reports Total Hospitalized, but I have added the hospitalization numbers in the Age Group chart.)  For the 5th day in a row, the County offers no information about ICU beds and ventilators.  Apparently, the County does not collect or receive this data from our hospitals, but relies on data collected by the State.  You would think that when the County gathers data on Currently Hospitalized they could also easily collect the ICU bed and ventilator data.  Or… ??
  • Testing Exactly 500 (?!) residents were tested since yesterday, total of 52,557.  But we still have a long way to go: only 11.7% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

Percent Positive Test Rate

Solano County reported today’s 7-day percent positive test rate is down from 6.5% yesterday to 5.8% today.  (The chart may be misleading – see NOTE at top of this page.)  The County posted a high of 9.3% on July 22.  CONTEXT: California’s 7-day positivity rate is reported today at 7.0%.  Increasingly, health officials and news reports are focusing on percent positive test rates.  This information is immediately important, as test positivity is one of the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus.  Positive test rates in California and other southwestern states have been on the rise.

By Age Group

  • Youth 17 and under – only 1 new case today, total of 354 cases. No new hospitalizations, only 2 hospitalizations since the outbreak began.  2 weeks ago, there were 243 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 111 new cases in just 14 days.  Despite the recent correction, I continue to raise an alarm for Solano’s youth.  Cases among Solano youth have increased to nearly 10% of the 3,611 total confirmed cases.
  • Persons 18-49 years of age – 68 new cases today, total of 2,219 cases.  This age group represents over 61% of the 3,611 total cases, 3/4 of today’s new cases and by far the highest percentage of all age groups.  Good news is that the County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 45 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 3 deaths.  However, this young and active age group may be out among us, spreading the virus!
  • Persons 50-64 years of age – 11 new cases today, total of 683 cases.  This age group represents just under 19% of the 3,611 total cases.  The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 51 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 4 deaths.
  • Persons 65 years or older – 11 new cases today, total of 354 cases.  This age group represents nearly 10% of the 3,611 total cases. 1 new hospitalization, total of 65 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  No new deaths, total of 30.  In this older age group, over 18% of cases required hospitalization at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  This group accounts for 30 of the 37 deaths, or 81%.

City Data (with June-July comparison)

  • Benicia remained steady today, total of 82 cases.  Benicia was extremely stable in the month of June, adding only 3 new cases, adding 55 new cases in July.
  • Dixon added 7 new cases today, total of 192 cases.  Dixon added 40 new cases in June, 122 new cases in July.
  • Fairfield added 25 new cases today, total of 1,187.  Fairfield added 314 new cases in June, new 724 cases in July.
  • Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 26 cases.  Rio Vista had less than 10 cases throughout June, jumped to 14 cases on July 1 and added 12 new cases in July.
  • Suisun City added 14 new cases today, total of 273 cases.  Suisun City added 51 new cases in June, 184 new cases in July.
  • Vacaville added 8 new cases today, total of 619 cases.  Vacaville added 127 new cases in June, 419 new cases in July.
  • Vallejo added 37 new cases today, total of 1,220 cases.  Vallejo has added 185 cases in the last 7 days – a major outbreak?  Vallejo replaced Fairfield this week with more positive cases than anywhere in Solano County.  Vallejo added 199 new cases in June, 686 new cases in July.
  • Unincorporated areas – Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 12 cases.  Unincorporated areas had less than 10 cases for most of June, began July with 6 cases and added 6 new cases during July.

Race / Ethnicity

The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics.  There are also tabs showing a calculated rate per 100,000 by race/ethnicity for each of these boxes.  This information is discouragingly similar to national reports that indicate worse outcomes among black and brown Americans.  As of today:

  • White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but only account for 20% of cases, 25% of hospitalizations and 27% of deaths.
  • Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 13% of cases, but 23% of hospitalizations, and 30% of deaths.
  • Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 30% of cases, 32% of hospitalizations, and 24% of deaths.
  • Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 9% of cases and 12% of hospitalizations, but 15% of deaths.

Much more…

The County’s new and improved Coronavirus Dashboard is full of much more information, too extensive to cover here on a daily basis.  The Benicia Independent will continue to summarize daily and highlight a report or two.  Check out the Dashboard at https://doitgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=055f81e9fe154da5860257e3f2489d67.

Dr. Matyas: We’re assuming you are going to get together with family and friends…

How Solano County is approaching private gatherings differently

While avoiding public gatherings, Solano County Public Health recognizes it is important for people’s mental health to interact with others.

ABC10 News Sacramento, July 30, 2020

SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. — In several counties across the Sacramento region, private gatherings are being blamed for the recent rise in coronavirus cases.

However, Solano County Public Health Director Dr. Bela Matyas said his department recognizes that it is not healthy to tell people to avoid their friends and family.

“Honestly, it’s not a really good message,” Matyas said. “It’s not a message that really tends to work for anyone.”

In the county’s most recent newsletter, the public health department said that while the risk of exposure is higher with every gathering, people need human interaction for their mental health. While Matyas, like other health officials, have said gathering with friends and family put people at risk, the county would prefer if people do plan to gather, they do it in the safest possible way.

“We’re assuming you are going to get together with family and friends; when you do, please do the following things to protect people,” Matyas said.

  • Practice social distancing, including wearing a mask, if possible.
  • Have your elder relatives stay at home and connect with them over the phone or through video messaging services like Zoom, Facetime, and Facebook Messenger.
  • Gather outdoors instead of inside.
  • Have fewer people gather together to minimize the number of people potentially exposed.
  • Avoid sharing food or utensils.
  • Avoid singing, chanting or shouting.

“The whole idea here is we know that the virus is transmitting on our respiratory droplets, so what can you do to minimize that transmission even though we are together,” Matyas said. “It’s not perfect — I don’t want to pretend its perfect — but in an imperfect world, it is the best we are able to come up with.”

Solano County has seen a slight drop in the number of new cases reported each day recently, but is still working to keep its total number of coronavirus cases from rising. Currently, the county has reported 3,520 cases with 250 active cases from the last ten days.

Elizabeth Patterson says 3 terms as Benicia mayor enough; will focus on climate change

Patterson says 3 terms as Benicia mayor enough; will focus on climate change

Fairfield Daily Republic, by Todd R. Hansen, July 31, 2020
FAIRFIELD — Elizabeth Patterson will not be running for a fourth term as mayor of Benicia.

Instead, she said she will focus her energies on what she called the “climate catastrophe.” Patterson said she wants to dedicate more time to the issue of climate change.

“We are in the future of climate change,” said Patterson, who was first elected to the City Council in 2003 and started her run as mayor with an election win in 2007.

Elizabeth Patterson

The outgoing mayor also had hoped to go to Michigan to work on the campaign for the Democratic presidential nominee, but is not sure of those plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Patterson also hopes to get into the outdoors more.

“There are more trails to hike and places to camp in,” she said.

Her decision not to run means the nomination period for candidates seeking to fill the mayor’s post will be extended to Aug. 12. She said she will be supporting a candidate in the race, but declined to say who that is at this time.

The mayoral candidates who have filed their election papers are current Councilman Steve Young, Christina Strawbridge and Jason Diavatas.

Terry Scott has filed candidacy papers for the City Council, while incumbent Councilman Tom Campbell and potential challenger Trevor Macenski have taken out papers, but had not filed as of Thursday morning. Because of Young’s decision to run for mayor, the nomination period is extended to Aug. 12 for his council seat.

Ken Paulk was expected to file his papers Thursday for re-election as city treasurer. City Clerk Lisa Wolfe has taken out papers.

Dixon Mayor Thom Bogue has not taken out re-election papers as of Thursday morning, either. Attempts to reach Bogue were unsuccessful.

If he chooses not to run, it will mean that there will be at least three new mayors among the seven Solano County cities.

Bob Sampayan

Bob Sampayan dropped his campaign for re-election as mayor in Vallejo, citing health concerns.

While there has been plenty of interest in possible candidates in Vallejo – Councilman Robert McConnell, M. Avonelle Hanley‐Mills and Cornisha Williams‐Bailey each has taken out papers for the mayor’s post – no candidate for any elected seat has actually filed papers as of Thursday morning.

The City Council election, for the first time, is by districts. In a twist, that means those council members who had been elected at-large, are not considered district incumbents.

Councilwoman Rozzana Verder‐Aliga has taken out papers for District 1, as have L. Alexander Matias and Vernon Williams III; Councilman Hermie R. Sunga has taken out papers for District 3, as have Jaci Caruso and Guillermina “Mina” Diaz; and Councilwoman Cristina Arriola and Councilman Jerry Bovee have taken out papers for District 6.

Whether Bogue seeks re-election or not, there are challengers for the mayor’s office in Dixon.

Councilmen Devon Minnema and Steve Bird have filed candidacy papers for mayor. That leaves their District 3 and District 4 council seats vacant. As of Thursday morning, only Kevin Johnson had filed papers to replace Bird in District 3. The nomination period for all offices, as the candidacy picture stands, will be extended to Aug. 12.

There could be yet another mayoral change if any of the challengers can unseat Rio Vista Mayor Ron Kott, who has filed his candidacy papers for a new term. Emily Gollinger also has filed papers. Rick Lynn pulled papers, but as of Thursday morning, had not filed. The nomination period ends Aug. 7.

Solano COVID report – 58 new cases today, only 5 youths


[NOTE: Solano County publishes a DAILY update, and displays past weeks and months in epidemic curve charts.  However, the curve charts do not display an accurate number of cases for the most recent days, as there is a lag time in receiving test results.  This methodology is accurate in a way, but it misleads the public by consistently displaying a recent downward curve which is corrected upward on a later date. For a complete archive of day by day data, see my Excel ARCHIVE – R.S.]

Thursday, July 30: 58 new cases today, no new deaths.  Since the outbreak started: 3,520 cases, 37 deaths.

Compare previous report, Wednesday July 29:Summary

  • Solano County reported 58 new cases today, total of 3,520 cases since the outbreak started.  Over the last 7 days, Solano reported 450 new cases, an average of 64 per day.
  • Deaths – no new deaths today, total of 37 deaths.
  • Active cases – Solano reported 1 fewer ACTIVE case today, total of 250.  Last week Solano hit a record high of 440 active cases.  Note that only 40 of these 250 people are hospitalized, so there are a lot of infected folks out among us, hopefully quarantined.  One wonders… is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons?  (See SF Chronicle report on contact tracing in Bay Area – “Solano County did not respond”.)
  • Hospitalizations10 fewer currently hospitalized persons today, total of 40.  No change in the total number hospitalized since the outbreak started, 162.  (The County no longer reports Total Hospitalized, but I have added the hospitalization numbers in the Age Group chart.)  For the 4th day in a row, the County offers no information about ICU beds and ventilators.  Apparently, the County does not collect or receive this data from our hospitals, but relies on data collected by the State.  You would think that when the County gathers data on Currently Hospitalized they could also easily collect the ICU bed and ventilator data.  Or… ??
  • Testing 495 residents were tested since yesterday, total of 52,057.  But we still have a long way to go: only 11.6% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

Percent Positive Test Rate

Solano County reported today’s 7-day percent positive test rate is down from 6.5% yesterday to 5.8% today.  (The chart may be misleading – see NOTE at top of this page.)  The County posted
a record high of 9.3%
last week.  CONTEXT: California’s 7-day positivity rate is reported today at 7.0%.  Increasingly, health officials and news reports are focusing on percent positive test rates.  This information is immediately important, as test positivity is one of the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus.  Positive test rates in California and other southwestern states have been on the rise.

By Age Group

  • Youth 17 and under – 5 new cases today, total of 353 cases. No new hospitalizations, only 2 hospitalizations since the outbreak began.  A week ago, there were 315 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 38 new cases in 7 days.  I continue to raise an alarm for Solano’s youth.  Cases among Solano youth have increased to 10% of the 3,520 total confirmed cases.
  • Persons 18-49 years of age – 40 new cases today, total of 2,151 cases.  This age group represents 61% of the 3,520 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.  The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 45 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 3 deaths.
  • Persons 50-64 years of age – 9 new cases today, total of 672 cases.  This age group represents over 19% of the 3,520 total cases.  The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 51 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 4 deaths.
  • Persons 65 years or older – 4 new cases today, total of 343 cases.  This age group represents nearly 10% of the 3,520 total cases. No new hospitalizations, total of 64 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  No new deaths, total of 30.  In this older age group, nearly 19% of cases required hospitalization at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  This group accounts for 30 of the 37 deaths, or 81%.

City Data

  • Benicia added 2 new cases today, total of 82 cases.  Benicia was extremely stable with only 2 new cases in the month of June.  Now Benicia has seen 14 new cases in 7 days.
  • Dixon added 2 new cases today, total of 185 cases.
  • Fairfield added 14 new cases today, total of 1,162.
  • Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 26 cases.
  • Suisun City added 6 new cases today, total of 259 cases.
  • Vacaville added 15 new cases today, total of 611 cases.
  • Vallejo added 19 new cases today, total of 1,183 cases.  Vallejo has added 171 cases in the last 7 days – a major outbreak?  Vallejo replaced Fairfield this week with more positive cases than anywhere in Solano County.
  • Unincorporated areas – Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 12 cases.

Race / Ethnicity

The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics.  There are also tabs showing a calculated rate per 100,000 by race/ethnicity for each of these boxes.  This information is discouragingly similar to national reports that indicate worse outcomes among black and brown Americans.  As of today:

  • White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but only account for 21% of cases, 25% of hospitalizations and 27% of deaths.
  • Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 13% of cases, but 23% of hospitalizations, and 30% of deaths.
  • Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 30% of cases, 32% of hospitalizations, and 24% of deaths.
  • Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 9% of cases and 12% of hospitalizations, but 15% of deaths.

Much more…

The County’s new and improved Coronavirus Dashboard is full of much more information, too extensive to cover here on a daily basis.  The Benicia Independent will continue to summarize daily and highlight a report or two.  Check out the Dashboard at https://doitgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=055f81e9fe154da5860257e3f2489d67.