Category Archives: Covid 19

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

Solano reports 4 new COVID-19 deaths as it moves to less restrictive red tier

March 9, 2021 Roger Straw

UPDATE: See today’s latest information

By Roger Straw, Tuesday, March 9, 2021

COVID is still dangerous in Solano County – get vaccinated, stay safe! (See Solano vaccine and MyTurn.Ca.Gov or PlanYourVaccine.)

Tuesday, March 9: 21 new Solano cases overnight, 4 new deaths. Since February 2020: 30,425 cases, over 930 hospitalized, 171 deaths.Compare previous report, Monday, March 8:Summary

[See Sources. Daily archive of BenIndy Solano updates: Excel ARCHIVE.

- CASES – Solano County reported 21 new cases overnight, a total of 30,425 cases since the outbreak started.
- DEATHS – the County reported 4 new deaths today, all over 65. A total of 171 Solano residents have died with COVID since the pandemic began. In January-February, Solano recorded 66 coronavirus deaths, fully 40% of Solano’s COVID deaths to date! While many other COVID stats are improving, the recent surge in deaths is no doubt the final sad result of our holiday surge and the Super Bowl.
- ACTIVE cases – Solano reported 19 fewer active cases today, a total of 171 active cases. Compare: Solano’s average number of Active Cases last October was 284, average in November was 650, in December 1,658, in January 2,185, then in February down to 481 and TODAY we are at 171. Much better – but note that’s still a bunch of contagious folks somewhere among us, 171 of them, hopefully quarantined and staying away from grandma and grandpa!
- HOSPITALIZATIONS – Today, Solano reported 4 fewer currently hospitalized cases, total of 18. However, the County reported 4 new hospitalizations among the age groups, a total of 934 hospitalized in all age groups since the pandemic began. [For the numbers used in my manual calculation of total hospitalizations, see age group stats below.
- ICU BEDS – Solano County did not report ICU beds available today: “Data not available due to system outage.” In late January, Solano hospitals expanded their ICU capacity. Even with the expanded ICU capacity, Solano County has continued to fall in and out of the YELLOW DANGER ZONE. California’s COVID19-CA.GOV reports that Solano County had 18 available ICU beds yesterday, March 8. (For COVID19-CA.GOV info see BenIndy page, COVID-19 Hospitalizations Daily Update for Solano County, and for REGIONAL data see COVID-19 ICU Bed Availability by REGION.)
- VENTILATORS available – Solano County did not report on ventilators today: “Data not available due to system outage.” Yesterday Solano hospitals had 72% of ventilators available, nowhere near last summer’s reports of 82-94% available.

Positive Test Rate and our Purple/Red Tier rating

Solano County did not report on positive test rate today: “Data not available due to system outage.” Meanwhile, the County released the following announcement today:
Solano County returns to Red Tier (Tier 2) effective March 10, loosening restrictions for certain businesses activities
March 9, 2021 SOLANO COUNTY –– The State of California announced today that Solano County has moved from the most restrictive Purple Tier (Tier 1) to a less-restrictive Red Tier (Tier 2) of the State’s COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Effective Wednesday, March 10, more businesses and activities will be able to expand capacity or resume operations, including indoor services at restaurants, increased capacity at retail and shopping centers, youth sports activities and an opportunity for schools to reopen. More…
The California 7-day average test rate was at 2.1% today, same as yesterday. Recent news is that the state will lower the adjusted case rate standard to 7% soon, which would certainly clinch Solano’s movement to the red tier.

By Age Group

Youth 17 and under – 7 new cases overnight, total of 3,568 cases, representing 11.7% of the 30,425 total cases. No new hospitalizations were reported today among this very young age group, total of 19 since the outbreak began. Thankfully, no deaths have ever been reported in Solano County in this age group. But cases among Solano youth rose steadily over the summer, from 5.6% of total cases on June 8 to 11% on August 31 and has remained at over 11% since September 30. Youth are 22% of Solano’s general population, so this 11% may seem low. The significance is this: youth are SERIOUSLY NOT IMMUNE (!) – in fact at least 19 of our youth have been hospitalized since the outbreak began.
Persons 18-49 years of age – 9 new cases overnight, total of 16,795 cases. This age group is 41% of the population in Solano, but represents 55.2% of the total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups. The County reported no new hospitalizations among persons in this age group today. A total of 258 are reported to have been hospitalized since the outbreak began. Solano recorded no new deaths in this young group today, total of 10 deaths. Some in this group are surely at high risk, as many are providing essential services among us, and some may be ignoring public health orders. I expect this group is a major factor in the spread of the virus.
Persons 50-64 years of age – 4 new cases overnight, total of 6,341 cases. This age group represents 20.8% of the 30,425 total cases. A hospitalized and deceased member of this age group was moved to the 65+ age group today. A new total of 248 are reported to have been hospitalized since the outbreak began. Deaths reported in this age group now total 26.
Persons 65 years or older – only 1 new case overnight, total of 3,710, representing 12.2% of Solano’s 30,425 total cases. 4 new hospitalizations were reported among members of this age group today. A total of 409 are reported to have been hospitalized since the outbreak began. And 4 new deaths were reported among our elders in this age group, now totaling 135, accounting for 79% of Solano’s 171 COVID deaths.

City Data

Benicia added 2 new cases overnight, total of 861 cases since the outbreak began.
Dixon added 2 new cases overnight, total of 1,770 cases.
Fairfield added only 3 new cases overnight, total of 8,293 cases.
Rio Vista added 2 new cases overnight, total of 334 cases.
Suisun City added 2 new cases overnight, total of 2,056 cases.
Vacaville added only 3 new cases overnight, total of 7,979 cases.
Vallejo added only 7 new cases overnight, total of 9,039 cases.
Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 92 cases.

Race / Ethnicity

The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics. This information is discouragingly similar to national reports that indicate significantly worse outcomes among black and brown Americans.

Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 14% of cases, 14% of hospitalizations, and 19% of deaths.
Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 12% of cases, but 17% of hospitalizations, and 20% of deaths.
Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 32% of cases and 30% of hospitalizations, and 18% of deaths.
Multi-race / Others are 7% of Solano’s population, but account for 13% of cases, 8% of hospitalizations, and 7% of deaths.
White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but account for only 29% of cases, 30% of hospitalizations, and 37% of deaths.

More…

The County’s 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 significant portions. For more, check out the Dashboard at https://doitgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=055f81e9fe154da5860257e3f2489d67.

Source

Source: Solano County Coronavirus Dashboard (posted on the County website late today). ALSO see important daily updates from the state of California at COVID19.CA.GOV, embedded here on the BenIndy at Cases and Deaths AND Hospitalizations AND ICU Beds by REGION.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Vaccine

City of Benicia announces vaccine available this weekend, March 11-14 – 50 years old and up!

March 9, 2021 Roger Straw

COVID Vaccine Clinic Thurs-Sunday at the Fairgrounds

City of Benicia Announcements, March 9, 2021

Solano Public Health has notified currently eligible individuals who have signed up on the vaccine interest form (solanocounty.com/covidvaccine) about the mass vaccination events at the Solano County Fairgrounds this Thursday-Sunday (March 11-14, 2021). The notification was distributed via phone call, text, and email to over 16,000 eligible individuals based on the eligibility criteria outlined below.

EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eligibility criteria has been expanded to include all of Phase 1B Tier 2. This expanded eligibility includes Solano County residents age 50-64 with underlying health conditions, jails and juvenile corrections, homeless/unhoused individuals, transportation and logistics personnel (including non-emergency transport providers), the industrial sector (including commercial and residential workers) and critical manufacturing.*

*The State Essential Workforce webpage (covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/) details more information on which specific occupations are eligible under #6 – Transportation and Logistics; #9 – Critical Manufacturing and #13 – Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Sheltering Facilities and Services.

PRIOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In addition to the list above, all educators, school employees, licensed childcare and adult daycare staff, emergency services workers, food and agriculture industry workers, individuals 65+, as well as public health field workers, first responders and healthcare workers continue to be eligible for the vaccine clinics. The State Essential Workforce webpage has the full list of individuals eligible under the food and agricultural workforce.

VACCINE CLINIC INFORMATION

Here is the vaccine clinic appointment registration information:

March 11 – www.bit.ly/sccovax0311 (Moderna, 18+ only)
March 12 – www.bit.ly/sccovax0312 (Moderna , 18+ only)
March 13 – www.bit.ly/sccovax0313 (Moderna, 18+ only)
March 14 – www.bit.ly/sccovax0314 (Pfizer, 16 & 17-year-olds permitted with parent/guardian consent)

People who meet eligibility criteria may register for a vaccine appointment—eligibility will be affirmed by the person when booking an appointment and further verified by staff at the event. If they are under 50 years old, proof of employment (i.e. work badge or paystub) is required.

If you have questions, please call 707.784.8655.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, COVID-19 Purple Tier, COVID-19 Red Tier, MyTurn.Ca.Gov

Solano County returns to COVID-19 Red Tier effective March 10

March 9, 2021 Roger Straw

March 9, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contacts:
Matthew Davis, Senior Management Analyst and Public Communications Officer
(707) 784-6111 | MADavis@SolanoCounty.com (AND)
Jayleen Richards, Health Services Administrator, Public Health Division
(707) 784-8616 | JMRichards@SolanoCounty.com

Solano County returns to Red Tier (Red Tier (2) effective March March 10, loosening restrictions for certain businesses activities

SOLANO COUNTY –– The State of California announced today that Solano County has moved from the most restrictive Purple Tier (Tier 1) to a less-restrictive Red Tier (Tier 2) of the State’s COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Effective Wednesday, March 10, more businesses and activities will be able to expand capacity or resume operations, including indoor services at restaurants, increased capacity at retail and shopping centers, youth sports activities and an opportunity for schools to reopen.

“The declining number of cases is great news for our community as a whole, with local businesses now able to expand operations,” said Bela T. Matyas, M.D., M.P.H. “However, it is still critical for everyone to continue to practice health and safety measures. Let us all continue to do our part to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 infection—wear a mask, practice physical distancing, limit gatherings with others outside of the household, and get vaccinated when the vaccine is available for you.”

MOVING INTO THE RED TIER (TIER 2) ALLOWS:
◼ Restaurants indoor dining (max 25% capacity of facility or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
◼ All retail indoors (max 50% capacity of facility)
◼ Shopping centers, swap meets indoors (max 50% capacity of facility, closed common areas)
◼ Museums, zoos and aquariums (max 25% capacity of facility)
◼ Movie theaters indoors (max 25% capacity of facility or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
◼ Gyms and fitness centers indoors (max 10% capacity of facility)
◼ Schools may open while in Red Tier status and provide in-person instruction
◼ Youth sports: Outdoor low-and moderate-contact sports are permitted; outdoor high-contact sports are also permitted if state guidelines are adhered to

BUSINESSES MUST STILL IMPLEMENT STATE-MANDATED INDUSTRY GUIDANCE:
Prior to opening under the Red Tier, all businesses and activities must review the State guidelines, complete a State COVID-19 general checklist and ensure a written plan is on file and available for public review. Information and resources on Guidance for Specific Industries is available on the State’s COVID-19 website at www.covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

WHAT CAN HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS
To move to an even less restrictive tier, the Orange Tier (Tier 3), test positivity rates and additional metrics must continue to improve for two consecutive weeks. If Solano County residents and businesses continue to make progress in preventing COVID-19 transmission, additional business sectors and indoor activities can progressively begin to open, with modifications.

VACCINATED SECTORS IN SOLANO COUNTY
Nearly 90,000 people have been vaccinated and more than 30,000 have received two doses, including the healthcare and emergency services sectors, individuals 65 years of age and older, childcare workers, teachers and school employees, food and agricultural workers.

NOTIFICATION ABOUT UPCOMING VACCINE CLINICS
Solano Public Health urges Solano County residents to register on both the Solano County Vaccine Interest Form and on the State’s MyTurn system to be pre-screened and notified of opportunities to receive a vaccine when it is their turn. Register for the Vaccine Interest Form by visiting bit.ly/solanovax or by calling (707) 784-8988. Register on the State’s MyTurn notification system by visiting https://MyTurn.Ca.Gov or by calling (833) 422-4255.

COVID-19 INFORMATION
For the most recent local COVID-19 health information, including the number of COVID-19 cases and to register for vaccination in Solano County, visit the Solano County website at www.SolanoCounty.com/COVID19 and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SolanoCountyPH (@SolanoCountyPH).

# # #

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

Solano County reports 99 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend

March 8, 2021 Roger Straw

UPDATE: See today’s latest information

By Roger Straw, Monday, March 8, 2021

COVID is still spreading and dangerous in Solano County – get vaccinated, stay safe! (See Solano vaccine and/or PlanYourVaccine.)

Monday, March 8: 99 new Solano cases overnight, no new deaths. Since February 2020: 30,404 cases, over 930 hospitalized, 167 deaths.Compare previous report, Friday, March 5:Summary

[See Sources. Daily archive of BenIndy Solano updates: Excel ARCHIVE.

- CASES – Solano County reported 99 new cases overnight, a total of 30,404 cases since the outbreak started.
- DEATHS – the County reported no new deaths today. A total of 167 Solano residents have died with COVID since the pandemic began. In January-February, Solano recorded 66 coronavirus deaths, fully 40% of Solano’s COVID deaths to date! While many other COVID stats are improving, the recent surge in deaths is no doubt the final sad result of our holiday surge and the Super Bowl.
- ACTIVE cases – Solano reported 86 fewer active cases today, a total of 190 active cases. Compare: Solano’s average number of Active Cases last October was 284, average in November was 650, in December 1,658, in January 2,185, then in February down to 481 and TODAY we are at 190. Much better – but note that’s still a bunch of contagious folks somewhere among us, nearly 200 of them, hopefully quarantined and staying away from grandma and grandpa!
- HOSPITALIZATIONS – Today, Solano reported 8 fewer currently hospitalized cases, total of 22. The County reported no new hospitalizations among the age groups, a total of 930 hospitalized in all age groups since the pandemic began. [For the numbers used in my manual calculation of total hospitalizations, see age group stats below.
- ICU BEDS – In late January, Solano hospitals expanded their ICU capacity. Even with the expanded ICU capacity, Solano County has continued to fall in and out of the YELLOW DANGER ZONE. Back in the green zone today, the County reported 38% of ICU beds available today up from 28% Friday. California’s COVID19-CA.GOV reports that Solano County had 15 available ICU beds yesterday, March 7. (For COVID19-CA.GOV info see BenIndy page, COVID-19 Hospitalizations Daily Update for Solano County, and for REGIONAL data see COVID-19 ICU Bed Availability by REGION.)
- VENTILATORS available – Today Solano hospitals have 72% of ventilators available, same as Friday, and nearing last summer’s reports of 82-94% available.

Positive Test Rate and our Purple/Red Tier rating

Solano County is reporting that our positive test rate today is 6.7%, up from Friday’s 6.2%. Our 14-day average positive test rate is 6.0% according to my own calculation. The much lower and more stable California 7-day average test rate was at 2.1% today, same as Friday.
>> Tier Rating: Reports suggest that Solano may move down into the red tier as soon as tomorrow. Before dropping to a lower tier, the State requires a county to maintain a positive test rate at or below 8% AND an ADJUSTED case rate at or below 10 new cases per day per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks. Solano’s 14-day average positive test rate meets that standard, at 6.0% by my calculation (and maybe even lower by some formula used by the state), and our adjusted case rate is also within the red tier range, at 7.7 per day over the last two weeks (as of 3/2) according to COVID.CA.GOV. Recent news is that the state will lower the adjusted case rate standard to 7% soon, which would certainly clinch Solano’s movement to the red tier.