By Roger Straw, Monday, May 24, 2021

7 new infections in Benicia over the weekend, now totaling 995 cases over the course of the pandemic.  This thing isn’t gone yet!  Stay safe, and remember…

Solano County COVID report on Monday, May 24.

[Source: see far below.  See also my ARCHIVE spreadsheet of daily Solano COVID updates.]

Solano County COVID-19 Dashboard – SUMMARY:

Solano County reported 61 new COVID cases over the 3-day weekend.  We saw 1,288 new cases in April, an average of 43 per day.  In the first 24 days of THIS MONTH of May, Solano reported 706 new cases, an average of 29 per day.

JUNE 15 RE-OPENING – Solano County Public Health announced on its dashboard today that the State of California will discontinue COVID tier assignments on June 15.  The County references a thorough but outdated California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announcement of April 4, 2021.  Today’s more current but less detailed CDPH announcement is “Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors – Effective June 15.”  The ending of the State’s tier system is being hailed as a return to normal, but it falls short of that for Mega Events (gatherings of crowds greater than 5,000 [indoors] and 10,000 [outdoors]).  All of us are advised to get vaccinated and continue to take precautions.  Until June 15, Solano will most likely remain in the red tier unlike all other Bay Area counties which have moved into less restrictive tiers.

MASKS – Governor’s update: “California will align its mask guidance with CDC’s on June 15, 2021.  California will keep existing mask guidance in place until June 15 when it aims to fully reopen the economy. After that, the state plans to allow fully-vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings. You will still have the option to wear a mask if you choose.”  Governor’s update based on a May 3 CDPH guidance.

ADJUSTING OUR DEATH COUNT – The County reported no new deaths today.  However, Solano County Public Health Officer Dr. Bela Matyas disclosed to the Fairfield Daily Republic that last week’s 17 newly reported deaths occurred in January and February, and possibly with more such “catch-up” reports to come.  “Matyas said he expects the number [of deaths] to rise…as patient records are reviewed.”  Matyas estimates that as many as 35 or more previously unreported deaths may be uncovered.

ADJUSTING OUR CASE COUNT – The Fairfield Daily Republic reported also that Dr. Matyas identified “the majority” of [last Wednesday’s] big increase of 60 “new” cases as an adjustment, adding cases diagnosed in January and February but previously unreported.  One might ask why these cases were not reported in a timely fashion.  And one might wonder whether we can trust today’s reporting….

Dr. Matyas has in the past performed “occasional updates” on previously unreported hospitalizations.  Now we must add COVID deaths and COVID cases to that practice.  The takeaway: We are learning this week that our winter surge was even worse than we thought.  Our hearts go out belatedly to all of these, and their families and friends.

Solano’s Active cases are now at 157 down from Friday’s 177.  Our percent positivity rate fell today from Friday’s 5.1% to 4.8%.

>> The virus is still active here.  Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear a mask and social distance!  We will get through this together.

Cases by City on Monday, May 24:

• Benicia added 7 new cases today, total of 995 cases since the outbreak began.
• Dixon added 2 new cases today, total of 1,912 cases.
• Fairfield added 16 new cases today, total of 9,030 cases.
• Rio Vista added 4 new cases today, total of 380 cases.
• Suisun City added 2 new cases today, total of 2,275 cases.
• Vacaville added 14 new cases today, total of 8,654 cases.
• Vallejo added 16 new cases today, total of 9,834 cases.
• Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 103 cases.

COMPARE: Screenshots from Solano County COVID Dashboard on Friday, May 21: