Today will mark two grim milestones: more than 1 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the U.S., and more American deaths than during all of the Vietnam War.
Today, let us reflect upon the enormity of this loss, and the heroism of our medical workers who fight for each life.
George Hosato Takei is an American actor, author, and activist. He is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the television series Star Trek. He also portrayed the character in six Star Trek feature films and one episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Wikipedia
The national crisis in our nursing homes is real and present here in Solano County.
Windsor Vallejo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Vallejo CA
On April 20, we reported that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a “snapshot” listing of all known skilled nursing facilities reporting COVID-19 among staff or residents. The list did not include any facilities in Solano County at that time.
As of April 24, the State updated the report, and shows one nursing home in Solano County that was/is dealing with the infection.
Of nine Solano skilled nursing facilities listed, only the Windsor Vallejo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center showed evidence of the coronavirus.As of April 24, 11 residents and less than 11 staff tested positive.
Windsor Vallejo’s website does an excellent job of sharing extensive information about coronavirus, but does not disclose numbers of positive or active cases. It leaves unanswered whether any of Solano County’s reported deaths took anyone at their facility.
The State’s “24-hour snapshot” on April 24 showed California’s confirmed active cases in 662 skilled health care workers and 1,899 nursing care residents. The cumulative total of cases in the State as of April 24 were 2,329 nursing home health care workers and 3,441 nursing home residents. Cumulative deaths in the State as of April 24 include less than 11 skilled health care workers and 545 nursing home residents.
By Andrés Soto, April 27, 2020
Andrés Soto, Benicia CA
As we wound down the first shelter in place Earth Day/Week, I was prodded into chuckling at the Herald’s front page story of Valero diverting some of its ethanol production to the making of hand sanitizing liquids! This is like applying antibiotic ointment to a bleeding gun shot wound. Thanks Valero.
Valero and the other fossil fuel companies have been knowingly contributing to the destruction of our atmosphere and trying to exacerbate the problem by moving into refining extreme crudes such a tar sands and fracked crude. Thanks Valero.
It is now understood that those who have been suffering the greatest health burdens over time from the fossil fuel economy are – surprise, surprise – also the most vulnerable to infection from COVID 19! Benicia and other refinery towns are on the front line with children and seniors suffering disproportionately from asthma and other auto-immune diseases. Thanks Valero.
Of course, to protect their position to profit from poison they need political support. The 2018 Benicia election saw Valero and its deep pocket “boots on the ground” building trades union allies spend an obscene amount of money to personally destroy the reputation of Planning Commissioner Kari Birdseye and and pump up the pro-polluter candidates Lionel Largaespada and Christina Strawbridge to victory. Thanks Valero.
If Valero and its fellow oil cartel members really wanted to help Benicia and Earth it would join community members, workers and city representatives in the planning of a managed decommissioning of the refinery and reduce risks to COVID 19, massive wildfires and toxic pollution. Thanks Valero.
Solano County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates and Resources. Check out basic information in this screenshot. IMPORTANT: The County’s interactive page has more. On the County website, you can click on “Number of cases” and then hover over the charts for detailed information.
Previous report, Friday, April 24
Summary
Solano County reported 27 NEW POSITIVE CASES over 3 days since last Friday – total is now 226. No new deaths, total now at 4.
OVER THE WEEKEND:
21 new caseswere reported on Saturday 4/18
3 new cases were reported on Sunday 4/19
3 new cases were reported today, Monday 4/20
BY AGE GROUP
1 new positive case was a young person under 19 years of age, total of 5 cases, 2% of total confirmed cases.
17 of the new cases were persons 19-64 years of age, total of 182 cases, 81%, of the total. No new deaths, total of 2.
9 of the new cases were persons 65 or older, total of 39 cases, 17% of the total (an increase of 2% over previous report). No new deaths, total of 2.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: 51 of Solano’s 226 cases resulted in hospitalizations (1 more than previous report).
ACTIVE CASES: 44 of the 226 are active cases (22 more than previous report).
The County’s “Hospital Impact” graph (below) shows that only 9 of the 51 hospitalized cases are currently hospitalized, 2 lessthan previously reported. Note also that only 9 of the 44 active cases are currently hospitalized. The County’s count ofICU beds available returned to “GOOD” and ventilator supply continues “GOOD” at 31-100%. (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.)
CITY DATA
Vallejoadded 11 of today’s 27 new cases, total of 96.
Fairfieldadded 5 of today’s 27 new cases, 53 cases.
Vacavilleadded 6 of today’s 27 new cases, total of 34.
Suisun Cityadded 4 of today’s 27 new cases, total of 15 cases.
Benicia remains at 12 cases.
Dixon, Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today all remain at <10 (less than 10). 1 new case unaccounted for above would have come from one of these jurisdictions. Residents and city officials have been pressuring County officials for city case counts for many weeks. Today’s data is welcome, but still incomplete.
TESTING
The County reports that 3,065 residents have been tested as of today. This is an increase of 438 individuals tested since Friday’s total of 2,627. THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT! A week ago, around 150 new tests were reported daily. The numbers dropped to well under 50 per day all last week. So something has ramped up over the weekend. We have a long way to go, though. Under 7 tenths of 1% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.
The blue bars in the chart, “Daily number of cases on the date that specimens were collected” shows why the County is interpreting a flattening of the curve. Note that the daily date in that chart refers to the date a sample was drawn and so reflects the lag time in testing.
Solano’s upward curve in cumulative cases – as of April 27
The chart above shows the infection’s trajectory in Solano County. It’s too soon to tell, but we may be seeing a flattening of the curve!
Still incredibly important – everyone stay home and be safe!
George Hosato Takei is an American actor, author, and activist. He is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the television series Star Trek. He also portrayed the character in six Star Trek feature films and one episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Wikipedia
HOSPITALIZATIONS: 51 of Solano’s 226 cases resulted in hospitalizations (
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