Wednesday, March 10: 28 new Solano cases overnight, 6 new deaths. Since February 2020: 30,453 cases, over 940 hospitalized, 177 deaths.Compare previous report, Tuesday, March 9:
The Benicia Independent editor is otherwise and very happily occupied tonight. After both vaccines and 2 weeks, we’re having the kids and grandkid over for dinner and hugs! YAY WHOOPEE!
Governor gives televised address from Dodger Stadium, speaks about pandemic, vaccines
New York Times California Today Newsletter, by Jill Cowan, March 10, 2021
Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his State of the State address from Dodger Stadium on Tuesday as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, listened. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
On Tuesday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his third State of the State address, an elaborately produced event in which he portrayed a California emerging from crisis better, stronger and more equal than it was before the coronavirus pandemic.
“In California, we’re not going to come crawling back. We will roar back,” he said, speaking from a stage on the field at Dodger Stadium. “I think we all agree, normal was never good enough.”
Indeed, the pandemic has made clearer than perhaps ever before the longstanding divides in the Golden State.
It has exacerbated inequality between those who can afford to work from home and those who must labor in fields, factories and warehouses. It has ravaged Latino, Black and Asian communities disproportionately.
And the state’s strict, sometimes confusing, lockdowns aimed at curbing the spread of the virus have provided ample fodder for frustrated conservatives and business owners who are now trying to oust Mr. Newsom from office.
The governor’s prime-time speech from the stadium in Los Angeles — a departure from tradition; the State of the State is usually given midday in Sacramento — was aimed more at rebutting an effort to recall him than a preview of sweeping policy goals.
“We won’t change course just because of a few naysayers and doomsday-ers,” Mr. Newsom said. “So to the California critics, who are promoting partisan power grabs and outdated prejudices, and rejecting everything that makes California great, we say this: We will not be distracted from getting shots in arms and our economy booming again.”
In the speech, the governor sought to remind Californians that he has been at the helm as the state has been pummeled by calamity after calamity — the kind of compounding disasters unseen in decades.
The large screens next to him displayed pictures of the apocalyptic orange sky over the Bay Area as he spoke about the rising threat of wildfires. He emphasized that California’s leaders would continue to be guided by science, “not politics.”
Dodger Stadium has become a kind of symbolic home for the state’s pandemic response, first as a mass testing site, then as a mass vaccination site. Mr. Newsom said that the rows of empty seats behind him as he spoke were a “silent tribute” to the 54,395 Californians who have died because of Covid-19.
“We won’t be defined by this moment,” he said. “We’ll be defined by what we do because of it.”
The governor in particular highlighted campaigns to vaccinate millions of vulnerable residents and to get students back into classrooms.
Experts have said that Mr. Newsom’s political prospects hinge largely on the state’s ability to spur both of those things.
Proponents of the recall have fiercely criticized the fact that many students have been learning from home for a year.
Kevin Faulconer, the Republican former mayor of San Diego who is campaigning to replace Mr. Newsom, said in a video response to the address that the governor has failed to solve problems and has harmed residents in the process.
“He has failed parents in Los Angeles where powerful unions are choosing to keep classrooms closed,” Mr. Faulconer said.
Allies of Mr. Newsom have said that the recall effort is an expensive waste. But they’ve said that the governor has time on his side, as more and more Californians are inoculated and restrictions are eased.
The refinery is seen from Interstate Highway 680. (Shutterstock / Frankie WO)
BENICIA, CA — Personnel with the Benicia Fire Department were monitoring an oil sheen reported Tuesday by the Valero Benicia Refinery in Sulphur Springs Creek.
The refinery notified the fire department that at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, a sheen from an unknown type of oil was spotted in the waters of the creek, Benicia Fire Department officials said.
“Valero Benicia Refinery commenced mitigation efforts at 3:20 p.m.,” fire officials said. “The sheen has been contained and proper clean up, notification and mitigation procedures were underway.”
The incident was not a threat to drinking water or public safety although fire personnel will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public if conditions change, fire officials said.
According to a hazardous materials spill report issued by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Valero Energy discovered the sheen at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday. The cause of the Petroleum sheen was not known, nor had the source been determined. Refinery personnel contained the sheen by deploying a boom; cleanup was underway and an investigation was ongoing.
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
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
Beniciaadded 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 Vistaadded 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.
Vallejoadded 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.
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