Coronavirus, Covid 19, Keeping Watch on Earth News, Solano County CA

Solano COVID report: spike in hospitalizations, test rates continue to climb, more youth infected

[For a complete archive of day by day data, see my Excel ARCHIVE – R.S.]

Monday, August 17: 171 new cases over the weekend, no new deaths.  Since the outbreak started: 4,767 cases, 41 deaths.
Compare previous report, Friday August 14:Summary

  • Solano County reported 171 new cases today, total of 4,767 cases since the outbreak started.  Over the last 2 weeks, Solano reported 1,046 new cases, an average of 75 per day.
  • Deaths – no new deaths today, total of 41 deaths.
  • Active cases – Solano reported 9 fewer ACTIVE cases today, total of 305.  Note that only 38 of these 305 people are hospitalized, so there are a lot of infected folks out among us, hopefully quarantined.  I’ve been wondering for several weeks now… is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons?  Who will research this?  (See SF Chronicle report on contact tracing in Bay Area – “Solano County did not respond”.)
  • Hospitalizations – the number of currently hospitalized persons fell by 5 today, total of 38.  However, the total number hospitalized since the outbreak started increased startlingly by 78, total of 274.  (I suspect this was at least partially due to delayed testing reports from the state, finally making their way into the County’s report.)  (Note that the County no longer reports Total Hospitalized, but I can add the new hospitalization numbers in the Age Group report – see below.)  For a fourth week now, the County offers no information about availability of ICU beds and ventilators.
  • Testing – The County reports today that 2,693 more residents were tested over the weekend, new total of 65,440.  We still have a long way to go: only 14.6% 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 continued its steady rise, increasing on each of the last 6 days, from 4.1% last Tuesday to 6.9% today.  (Note that Solano County displays past weeks and months in a 7-day test positivity curve chart which also shows daily results.  However, the chart does not display an accurate number of cases for the most recent days, as there is a lag time in receiving test results.  The 7-day curve also lags behind current unknown results.  For a complete archive of day by day data, see my Excel ARCHIVE. – R.S.]  The County posted a 7-day test rate high of 9.3% on July 22.  Health officials and news reports focus on percent positive test rates as one of the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus.  The California 7-day rate was reported today at 7.1%.

By Age Group

  • Youth 17 and under – 29 (!) new cases over the weekend, total of 492 cases.  1 new hospitalization among this age group, a total of 5 hospitalizations since the outbreak began, and 3 in this past week.  Thankfully, no deaths.  It is clear that our young people are catching the disease, with a recent increase in hospitalizations.  It seems too many youth are ignoring public health orders.  Cases among Solano youth are 10.3% of the 4,767 total confirmed cases.
  • Persons 18-49 years of age – 95 (!) new cases today, total of 2,905 cases, including 285 new cases in the last week.  This age group is 41% of the population in Solano, but represents over 61% of the 4,767 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.  The County reported 30 new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 87 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  No new deaths among this age group, total of 3 deaths.  This young to middle age group is very active.  Some are surely ignoring public health orders, and many are providing essential services among us.  I expect his group is a major factor in the spread of the virus.
  • Persons 50-64 years of age – 33 new cases today, total of 911 cases.  This age group represents 19% of the 4,767 total cases.  The County reported 18 new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 76 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  No new deaths among this age group, total of 4 deaths.
  • Persons 65 years or older – 14 new cases today, total of 458 cases.  This age group represents 9.6% of the 4,767 total cases.  29 (!) new hospitalizations today, total of 106 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  In this older age group, over 23% of cases required hospitalization at one time, up from 17% on Friday.  This is a big jump, and a much higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  No new deaths in this age group today, total of 34.  This group accounts for 34 of the 41 deaths, or 83%.

City Data

  • Benicia added 6 new cases today, total of 115 cases since the outbreak began.
  • Dixon added 19 new cases today, total of 320 cases.
  • Fairfield added 53 new cases today, total of 1,506.
  • Rio Vista added 1 new case today, total of 36 cases.
  • Suisun City added 10 new cases today, total of 347 cases.
  • Vacaville added 22 new cases today, total of 809 cases.
  • Vallejo added 60 new cases today, total of 1,618 cases.
  • Unincorporated areas – Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 16 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 22% of cases, 22% of hospitalizations and 24% of deaths.
  • Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 12% of cases, but 19% of hospitalizations, and 27% of deaths.
  • Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 26% of cases, 32% of hospitalizations, and 24% of deaths.
  • Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 9% of cases and 11% of hospitalizations, but 16% 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.

#VOTE, Benicia elections, November election, Solano County CA, Solano County Registrar of Voters, Vote by Mail

Benicia and Solano: How to work around Trump’s Sabotage of the US Postal Service

By Roger Straw, August 16, 2020

VOTING EARLY is increasingly important information given Trump’s felonious assault on the Postal Service.  And it will be important to confirm that the County is processing your ballot properly.

SO… Here’s information from our Solano County Registrar of Voters on how you can TRACK your ballot.

You will want to take advantage of the ballot notification tools.  You will get either a text or e-mail reminder saying that the ballots are in the mail on the way to them.  And when you send it back (even if you use a drop off location) – you’ll get an e-mail or text telling you the ballot got to the Registrar of Voters office, and notifying you if there are any problems (like they couldn’t count it, or signature didn’t match, etc.).  Super helpful.   You can SIGN UP TODAY for that information here: solanocounty.com/depts/rov/text_alerts.asp

MORE… 

Solano County Election begins in late September! Here’s your checklist for Election MONTH…

I know there must be a few of you out there like me. I never voted by mail before!

Roger Straw, The Benicia Independent

This year, most everyone will be voting by mail.  With all the talk about Trump trying to hobble the Post Office, I got to thinking we should be ready to vote by mail, AND… ready do it early!

So here’s our election calendar.

YOUR BALLOT WILL ARRIVE BY MAIL IN LATE SEPTEMBER. (UPDATE: on Sept 26)

  • >> Return your ballot by mail anytime, but my advice this year is, do it early! (Technically, ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3.)
  • Or, drop your ballot off at the Benicia City Clerk’s office beginning Oct. 5. (Map: City Hall, 250 East L Street)  To be super safe, you can drop it off after Oct. 5 at the Solano County Registrar of Voters office, Map: 675 Texas St., Suite 2600.)
  • Or, if you haven’t already returned your ballot (hint, hint…), take advantage of curbside dropoff Oct. 29-Nov. 3 (click for details, at bottom of page).  A curbside dropoff location has been added in Benicia at Gateway Church 1315 Military West.  This was added due to concerns that have been coming up with USPS.  All Locations are open 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., including Saturday, plus
    7:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. on Election Day.
  • Or, Election Day dropoff at one of 6 Benicia polling places or the City Clerk office (click for details, Benicia on p. 6).  Or again, drop off at any of the places listed above, including the Solano County Building in Fairfield, (Map: 675 Texas St.).

Below is all you need to know, directly from the Solano County Registrar of Voters page, including an excellent 3-minute video and lots of detailed information to follow.

Voting Options and Information for November 3, 2020

In an effort to reduce the impact of the Coronavirus spread, the Solano County Registrar of Voters is preparing several voting options that voters should be aware of.  Please check this site often as information will be updated closer to the election.  Last updated August 1, 2020.

VIDEO: Check out the options you have for voting safely this Election Day

No Contact Voting:
As an option to in-person voting, all voters can vote without contact with our staff or office.

All voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 election.  Ballots will be automatically mailed at the end of September, and voters have the following options to return ballots:

  Ballot Drop-Off:
Starting October 5 (29 days) – 14 Drop-Off locations are available – click for location and hours (drop box is inside an office building).
 Curbside Drop Off Curbside Drop-Off:
Starting October 29 (5 days) – 8 Curbside drop-off locations are available [including BENICIA] – click for locations and hours. (stay in your car, hand ballot to pollworkers)
 Vote at Polls Election Day Drop-Off:
Election Day November 3 (1 day) – 100 poll place drop-off locations are available – click for locations – all locations are 7am to 8pm.

Your ballot packet will provide all the options for returning your vote by mail ballot.  All postage is paid by the Registrar of Voters Office for voters mailing ballots back to our office.  Voters do not have to vote this ballot, and can still choose to vote in-person using one of the options listed below.  Other alternatives include:

Alternatively voters can Download a Ballot (Available Late-September)- print your ballot at home, and mail it, fax it, or drop it off at a drop-off location. This service is available to any voter without a special request and can be used up to and including on election day provided the ballot is returned to us post-marked by election day.
If you change your mind, you can still vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day.

Limited Contact Voting:

 Curbside Voting  At your assigned poll place, all voters can request to vote “Curb-Side” from the comfort of your vehicle. Look for the blue cone outside of your polling place, and call the number listed on the cone. Pollworkers will come out to your car with your ballot and will securely deposit it for you.
This same curb-side option is available if you want to drop off your vote by mail ballot. It may be preferable for you to remain in your vehicle and we support that option.

In-Person Voting:

 Vote at the polls Traditional poll place voting will be available in November.  Your assigned location will be provided in the mail towards the end of September.  Depending on health issues, the number of locations may need to be reduced in November, which may cause for additional time to vote.

COVID-19 INFO:Pollworkers and Staff:
All poll workers will be required to wear masks and shields, additionally the Registrar of Voters will provide gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes.  Pollworkers will be trained on the proper use of this equipment and how to follow the procedures outlined for each workspace.

Voters:
Voters will be required to wear face coverings per the state law requiring such in public places.  Face coverings will be provided to any voter needing one.  Hand Sanitizer and disposable pens will be provided to all voters as well.   Voters without face coverings will be encouraged to vote from the safety of their vehicles, or when the pollworkers can clear the area for the safety of other voters.We encourage all citizens to follow the mandated health requirements to help protect our staff and community partners. Without our staff and volunteers we cannot successfully execute an election!   Please help us minimize the risk to those helping to administer your voting rights!

Update Your Signature

  All vote by mail ballots are to be signed by the voter.  This signature must match your signature used when you registered to vote.  If you would like to update your signature,
Please fill out this form, and return it to our office.  We will update your signature based on the information provided.

All Election and voter services are available by phone or online:

707-784-6675; or elections@solanocounty.com
To visit us in-person, please: Request an appointment

2020 elections, Benicia City Council, Benicia Mayor, Local elections

Benicia Candidate Forum – Progressive Democrats interview Mayor and Council candidates

Repost from ProgressiveDemocratsOfBenicia.org, (Also appearing in the print edition of the Benicia Herald), August 15, 2020

Election Season Jump Starts with Candidate Forum at Progressive Democrats of Benicia

This article does not imply endorsement.  Our endorsement vote is currently in progress. Results to be posted on August 19.

(Benicia, CA) – Benicia’s election season was kicked off last Tuesday with one of the first candidate forums of the 2020 campaign, featuring notable absences by mayoral candidate Christina Strawbridge and city council candidate Tom Campbell.

The online, well-attended forum presented mayoral candidate Steve Young, along with Terry Scott and Trevor Macenski, both candidates for our local city council.  Each candidate responded to a series of questions from the Progressive Democrats group and then host Maggie Kolk fielded questions from the attendees via chat.

[If you have time, check out  the ZOOM video recording of the forum for candidate statements, questions and answers.]

It was clear that the candidates in attendance are extremely knowledgeable on the issues facing Benicia. The rich exchange of ideas informed not only the members attending but the candidates themselves on the differences of opinions and experience.

Councilman Young stated that he brought four decades of local government experience as well as his service to Benicia in serving on the local planning commission for four years and as Vice Mayor for two years and another two years as a council member.

Terry Scott shared his experience as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Creative Services for Hasbro and his work as a futurist in understanding the needs of an aging Benicia moving forward.  Scott also currently serves as the chair of Benicia’s Arts and Culture Commission but mentioned that he wants to be known as more than the “art guy.”

Vice Chair of Benicia’s Planning Commission Trevor Macenski demonstrated his professional experience in environmental and city planning and excelled at answering questions on those issues.

There was agreement on most issues, such as the need for fiscal responsibility and budget adjustments to the City’s fiscal outlook to prepare for the financial impacts of the pandemic.  All agreed that assistance to Benicia businesses, affordable housing, and running clean campaigns should be a priority.

About racial injustice concerns raised during recent peaceful protests in Benicia, all candidates supported Police Chief Erik Upson’s Plan and community engagement, and said they would continue discussions with him on these concerns after elected.

Candidates Young and Scott agreed that Benicia needs an Industrial Safety Ordinance, which would hold Valero’s Benicia refinery more accountable to our community. Macenski, however, said Benicia did not need an ISO given the existing communication channels between Valero and the City. While Young and Scott agreed that they would reject another Crude-by-Rail project, Macenski said no but also indicated he would be open to projects that enhanced the refinery’s ability to do business “within their existing use permit.”

On the day that presidential candidate Joe Biden announced his Vice Presidential pick of Kamala Harris, all candidates registered their support for the Democratic ticket at the very top.

Although the question wasn’t asked at the forum, the council candidates have gone on record as Scott supporting Steve Young and Macenski supporting Christina Strawbridge for mayor.

“It was a great discussion with the three candidates and on issues that the next Council will be facing,” said PDB Chair Ralph Dennis. “The meeting was well attended with over 50 local voters joining our on-line meeting. It was too bad and extremely disappointing that two Democratic candidates chose not to face the questions asked by the community,” Dennis added.

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia, a chartered club of the Solano County Democratic Central Committee, will announce their endorsements on August 19, after online voting has been tallied.

For more information on the candidates featured at the forum visit:

For safe and healthy communities…