All posts by Roger Straw

Editor, owner, publisher of The Benicia Independent
Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Solano County COVID-19 report on June 12 – 14 new cases, including 2 more infected youths

Friday, June 12: 14 new positive cases, no new deaths. Total now 657 cases, 23 deaths.

Source: Solano County Coronavirus Information & Resources

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 hover your mouse over the charts at right for detailed information.

Previous report, Thursday, June 11

The County does not archive its dashboard.  Archives here: BenIndy’s Daily Count Archive.

Summary

  • Solano County reported 14 new positive cases today, total of 657.
  • No new deaths today, total of 23.
  • 8 new active cases since yesterday, total 88.
  • Good progress in testing – reporting 294 residents tested since yesterday (over 2,300 tested since Monday).
  • Youth – 2 new cases since yesterday among the 17 and under age group, total 39.  There have been 34 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 30 days, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior.

BY AGE GROUP
(Note new bar graph key:the GREEN bar in the County’s chart no longer represents “Non-severe” cases.  Rather, it represents the TOTAL of all cases: non-severe cases, those hospitalized and deceased persons.)

  • 2 new cases among those 17 and under, total of 39 cases, including one hospitalization. Our concern remains: cases among youth have increased in recent weeks to 5.9% of the 657 total confirmed cases.  And there have been 34 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 30 days, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior.
  • 10 new cases among persons 18-49 years of age, total of 313 cases.  No new hospitalizations or deaths, total of 24 hospitalized at one time and 2 deaths.  This age group represents 47.6% of the 657 total cases, the highest percentage of all age groups.   24 of the 313 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 7.7% of total cases in the age group.  (It is unclear whether the 2 deaths were ever hospitalized.)
  • 2 new cases among persons 50-64 years of age, total of 163 cases.  No new hospitalizations or deaths, total of 30 hospitalized at one time and 3 deaths.  This age group represents 24.8% of the 657 total cases.   30 of the 163 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 18.4% of total cases in the age group.  (It is unclear whether the 3 deaths were ever hospitalized.)
  • Good news – no new cases among persons 65 years or older total 142 cases, including no new hospitalizations and no new deaths, total of 38 hospitalized at one time and 18 deaths.  This age group represents 21.6% of the 657 total cases.  38 of the 142 cases in this age group (26.8%) were hospitalized at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  And this group counts for 18 of the 23 deaths, over 78%.  (It is unclear whether the 18 deaths in this age group were ever hospitalized.)

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added 3 new cases today, total of 333.
  • Fairfield added 4 new cases today, total of 153.
  • Vacaville added 5 new cases today, total of 79 cases.
  • Suisun City added 2 new cases today, total of 45 cases.
  • Benicia remained at 24 cases.
  • Dixon remained at 13 cases.
  • Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today both remain at <10 (less than 10).  The total numbers for other cities add up to 647, leaving 10 cases somewhere among the 2 locations in this “<10” category (same as last reported).  Residents and city officials have pressured County officials for city case counts.  Today’s data is welcome, but still incomplete.

TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS:  93 of Solano’s 657 cases resulted in hospitalizations since the outbreak started, same as yesterday.  Cumulative hospitalizations is a most important stat to watch.  On May 1 there were 51 hospitalizations, and the daily increase was relatively steady, adding 2 or less each day.  But on May 22, the County reported 4 new hospitalizations, 9 more on May 29, plus 3 more on June 2.  We are back to 1 or 2 a day lately or even remaining steady as today – we need to keep our eyes on these numbers.

ACTIVE CASES:  88 of the 657 cases are currently active, 8 more than yesterday.  Active cases had been trending lower until a steep increase this week.  We were at 72 active cases just 12 days ago on May 28; down to 42 on this Monday June 8, and bouncing back up to 80 yesterday and 88 today.  Below you will see that only 14 of the active cases are currently hospitalized, which leaves 74 of these 88 active cases out in our communities somewhere, and hopefully quarantined.

HOSPITAL IMPACT: The County shows 14 of the 93 hospitalized cases are CURRENTLY hospitalized, 3 fewer than yesterday, good news!  The County’s count of ICU beds available and ventilator supply remains at “GOOD” at 31-100%. (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.).

TESTING: The County reports that 15,510 residents have been tested as of today, an increase of 294 residents tested since yesterday (over 2,300 tested since Monday).  We have heard rumors that there is talk of closing a testing site due to low numbers of Solano residents seeking tests.  Testing will continue to be a very important way of limiting and tracking outbreaks – please go get a test if you can!  Testing sites in Vallejo and Vacaville are open to anyone – see locations below.  We have a long way to go: only 3.5% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
Vacaville – 1681 E Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville, CA 95688 (entrance at the end of Nut Tree Road)
Vallejo – 1121 Whitney Ave, Vallejo, CA (North Vallejo Community Center)

Solano’s curve – cumulative cases as of June 12

This chart shows that the infection’s steady upward trajectory is not flattening in Solano County.  Our nursing homes, long-term care facilities and jails bear watching, and social distancing is still incredibly important: everyone stay home if you don’t need to go out, wear masks when you do go out (especially in enclosed spaces), wash hands, and be safe!

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Solano County June 11 coronavirus report: 26 new cases in one day, including 13 in Fairfield

Thursday, June 11: 26 new positive cases, no new deaths. Total now 643 cases, 23 deaths.

Source: Solano County Coronavirus Information & Resources

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 hover your mouse over the charts at right for detailed information.

Previous report, Wednesday, June 10

The County does not archive its dashboard.  Archives here: BenIndy’s Daily Count Archive.

Summary

  • Solano County reported 26 new positive cases today, total of 643.
  • No new deaths today, total of 23.
  • 25 new active cases since yesterday, total 80.
  • Good progress in testing – reporting 448 residents tested since yesterday (over 2,000 tested since Monday).
  • Youth – no new cases since yesterday among the 17 and under age group, total 37.  There have been 32 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 29 days, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior.

BY AGE GROUP
(Note new bar graph key:the GREEN bar in the County’s chart no longer represents “Non-severe” cases.  Rather, it represents the TOTAL of all cases: non-severe cases, those hospitalized and deceased persons.)

  • No new cases among those 17 and under, total of 37 cases, including one hospitalization. Our concern remains: cases among youth have increased in recent weeks to 5.7% of the 643 total confirmed cases.  And there have been 32 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 29 days, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior.
  • 16 new cases among persons 18-49 years of age, total of 303 cases.  No new hospitalizations or deaths, total of 24 hospitalized at one time and 2 deaths.  This age group represents 47% of the 643 total cases, the highest percentage of all age groups.   24 of the 303 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, just under 8% of total cases in the age group.  (It is unclear whether the 2 deaths were ever hospitalized.)
  • 6 new cases among persons 50-64 years of age, total of 161 cases.  No new hospitalizations or deaths, total of 30 hospitalized at one time and 3 deaths.  This age group represents 25% of the 643 total cases.   30 of the 161 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 18.6% of total cases in the age group.  (It is unclear whether the 3 deaths were ever hospitalized.)
  • 4 new cases among persons 65 years or older total 142 cases, including no new hospitalizations and no new deaths, total of 38 hospitalized at one time and 18 deaths.  This age group represents just over 22% of the 643 total cases.  38 of the 142 cases in this age group (26.8%) were hospitalized at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  (It is unclear whether the 18 deaths in this age group were ever hospitalized.)

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added 6 new cases today, total of 330.
  • Fairfield added 13 new cases today, total of 149.
  • Vacaville added 3 new cases today, total of 74 cases.
  • Suisun City added 3 new cases today, total of 43 cases.
  • Benicia remained at 24 cases.
  • Dixon added 1 new case today, total of 13 cases.
  • Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today both remain at <10 (less than 10).  The total numbers for other cities add up to 633, leaving 10 cases somewhere among the 2 locations in this “<10” category (same as last reported).  Residents and city officials have pressured County officials for city case counts.  Today’s data is welcome, but still incomplete.

TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS:  93 of Solano’s 643 cases resulted in hospitalizations since the outbreak started, same as yesterday.  Cumulative hospitalizations is a most important stat to watch.  On May 1 there were 51 hospitalizations, and the daily increase was relatively steady, adding 2 or less each day.  But on May 22, the County reported 4 new hospitalizations, 9 more on May 29, plus 3 more on June 2.  We are back to 1 or 2 a day lately – will need to keep our eyes on these numbers.

ACTIVE CASES:  80 of the 643 cases are currently active, 25 more than yesterday!  Active cases had been trending lower until a steep increase yesterday and today.  We were at 72 active cases just 12 days ago on May 28; down to 42 on Monday and bouncing back up to 80 today.  Note that the county does not report WHERE the active cases are.  Below you will see that only 17 of the active cases are currently hospitalized, which leaves 63 of these 80 active cases out in our communities somewhere, and hopefully quarantined.

HOSPITAL IMPACT: The County shows 17 of the 93 hospitalized cases are CURRENTLY hospitalized, 2 more than yesterday.  The County’s count of ICU beds available and ventilator supply remains at “GOOD” at 31-100%. (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.).

TESTING: The County reports that 15,216 residents have been tested as of today, a good increase of 448 residents tested since yesterday (over 2,000 tested since Monday).  We have heard rumors that there is talk of closing a testing site due to low numbers of Solano residents seeking tests.  Testing will continue to be a very important way of limiting and tracking outbreaks – please go get a test if you can!  Testing sites in Vallejo and Vacaville are open to anyone – see locations below.  We have a long way to go: only 3.3% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
Vacaville – 1681 E Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville, CA 95688 (entrance at the end of Nut Tree Road)
Vallejo – 1121 Whitney Ave, Vallejo, CA (North Vallejo Community Center)

Solano’s curve – cumulative cases as of June 11

This chart shows that the infection’s steady upward trajectory is not flattening in Solano County.  Our nursing homes, long-term care facilities and jails bear watching, and social distancing is still incredibly important: everyone stay home if you don’t need to go out, wear masks when you do go out (especially in enclosed spaces), wash hands, and be safe!

#BlackLivesMatter, Benicia Police Department, George Floyd, Peaceful protest, Racial justice

CORRECTION – Benicia Youth organizing a second peaceful protest for racial justice – Saturday June 13, 11AM

By Roger Straw, June 9, 2020 and UPDATED June 11, 2020 3:50pm

Benicia youth are organizing a second protest rally and march in remembrance and honor of all victims of police brutality, to be held at (CORRECTION…) GATHER AT 9TH STREET PARK on Saturday, June 13 at 11am.

The Facebook event gives details:

“Hi all – There’s been a lot of confusion around the protest for Saturday so I wanted to clear it all up for everyone. I’m not the original organizer for it but I offered my help in letting everyone know about it and gathering supplies. The organizer wasn’t aware that there was a separate protest for Sunday. The two organizers have been in contact and decided to combine the two. So, the new plan is everyone meets at 9th street park, we march up to the gazebo on first street, we do speeches and allow people from the crowd to speak, and then we march back down to the park. I’ve updated the flyer and I’m going to put the new one in the comments down below. There will be drinks and snacks provided. Please remember to wear a mask and stay 6 ft apart. Please please share this with everyone so no one is confused. There will be someone at the gazebo to direct people to go to the 9th street park if they go there first. This has been really complicated to put together and I appreciate everyone who has been understanding about it. Also want to give a special shout out to everyone who has donated food, drinks, supplies, etc. Your kindness does not go unnoticed. Please tell anyone you know that is planning to go to meet at 9TH STREET PARK AT 11AM ON SATURDAY. See you all there.❤️“

EARLIER INFO POSTED ON JUNE 9

I tracked down one of the organizers, Journey Eske, who responded to my interview questions with written answers:

By Journey Eske…

My main reason for wanting to help organize this event was not only because of George Floyd, but also to bring awareness of an issue black and brown men and women face on a daily basis. Police brutality and racism are things people of color have to endure simply because of the color of their skin. They fear for their lives when going to the store, taking a walk in their own neighborhood, or holding their cell phone in their hand. It is important that we realize police officers are not the entire issue but more so a small part of a much bigger problem, the justice system as a whole.

We’ve been reaching out and spreading the word about the event on social media.  I made an event page on facebook, and over 100 people have responded saying they’re going. I’m hoping for at least 200, but the more the better. Racism is taught and is a learned behavior, so the more people who come, listen, and are willing to make a change, the better it will be for the human race as a whole.

There will be speakers at the event. We will also have drinks and dry snacks for everyone who attends the protest. After speeches, there will be crowd engagement, giving people from the audience a chance to come up and say a few words. After that, we will march down first street in honor of George Floyd and countless other people of color who have fallen victim to police brutality and racism.

We are strongly asking protesters to maintain 6 ft of distance between themselves and everyone else, as well as wear a mask, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  I’m not sure if we’re marching to the police station, but I hope so as a lot of the change needs to happen there.

You asked about me: I graduated from BHS in 2017 and I am currently a student at DVC majoring in nursing. I heard about this event through a friend on snapchat. The original organizer, Lafayle Fuller, told me I could do a speech and asked me to help put this event together. I immediately said I would, and started gathering supplies and reaching out to as many people as I could to let them know about the protest. Putting an event like this together is definitely a group effort.

We checked in with Benicia Police and they were made aware of this event. Steve Young, a member of the Benicia City Council, reached out to me and said he would like to say a few words during the protest, as he is very supportive of it. He also is going to try to arrange for a voter registration table so people at the protest can register to vote.

CORRECTION: The organizers of this march are not affiliated with Benicia Youth Against Brutality.

#BlackLivesMatter, Benicia City Council, Benicia Police Chief, Benicia Police Department, George Floyd, Peaceful protest, People of color, Public protest, Racial justice

Benicia Mayor and City Council: “We are saddened and angered…and we stand against systemic racism”

Statement from your Mayor & City Council

City of Benicia Announcements, Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 6:10 PM

We are saddened and angered by the killing of George Floyd and we stand with everyone in our community and across the nation against systemic racism. Enough is enough. Our communities are demanding change that is deserved and past due. It’s time for us to listen and take action to support our black, indigenous and people of color communities. We need to be clear in our expectations of our local, State and national leaders. And we won’t stop there. We must examine our actions and policies that impact all people of color and make meaningful changes.

We encourage and support the peaceful protests taking place in our City and are proud of our youth’s leadership in reaching out to so many people from all walks of life to come together with such heart and passion. Let this be the turning point our society must make so that everyone in our community can lead a life of dignity and promise.

Let us work together to make real progress, to learn from the experiences of others, to listen with empathy to new voices—voices unheard for too long—and to examine our own views and protest peacefully for this change. We know the answer is not violence. Let us come out of this time stronger and better.

Benicia Chief of Police Erik Upson “I’m very proud of the culture we have built in this department and the humanistic approach we take that focuses on the community. I know there is more we can do, and I look forward to making changes that will strengthen our relationship with those we serve.”

The death of George Floyd is appalling and unacceptable, and we condemn the actions of those four police officers in Minneapolis. Chief of Police Erik Upson said, “I’m very proud of the culture we have built in this department and the humanistic approach we take that focuses on the community. I know there is more we can do, and I look forward to making changes that will strengthen our relationship with those we serve.”

We are confident in Chief Upson’s leadership and the Benicia Police Department’s training and practice of de-escalation, and community policing as well as his sincere desire to listen to the community and continue to advance the Department towards its vision.

We are committed, as leaders in Benicia, to better outcomes for our black community here and across our country. We honor peaceful protest and recognize the need for immediate and lasting social change. We hear you, we see you, we stand with you. By working together, Benicia will be a community where everyone is valued and respected.