By Roger Straw, Friday, May 21, 2021

Solano County reports only 11 new infections today, no additional deaths.  Stay safe, and remember: People with mild COVID can have long-term health problems

Solano County COVID report on Friday, May 21.

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

Solano County COVID-19 Dashboard – SUMMARY:

Solano County reported only 11 new COVID cases today.  We have not seen a single-day increase this low since last June (the 29th)! We saw 1,288 new cases in April, an average of 43 per day.  In the first 21 days of THIS MONTH of May, Solano reported 645 new cases, an average of 31 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  The County references a thorough but outdated California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announcement of April 4, 2021.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 this week’s 17 newly reported deaths occurred in January and February, with more such “catch-up” reports to come.  “Matyas said he expects the number [of deaths] to rise…as patient records are reviewed.”  Estimates are that as many as 35 or more previously unreported deaths may be uncovered.

ADJUSTING OUR CASE COUNT – The Fairfield Daily Republic reported yesterday that Dr. Matyas also identified “the majority” of [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 177 down from yesterday’s 210.  Our percent positivity rate fell today from yesterday’s 5.6% to 5.1%.

>> 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 Friday, May 21:

• Benicia remained steady today, total of 988 cases since the outbreak began.
• Dixon remained steady today, total of 1,910 cases.
• Fairfield added only 3 new cases today, total of 9,014 cases.
• Rio Vista added 3 new cases today, total of 376 cases.
• Suisun City remained steady today, total of 2,273 cases.
• Vacaville added only 1 new case today (!), total of 8,640 cases.
• Vallejo added only 4 new cases today, total of 9,818 cases.
• Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 103 cases.

COMPARE: Screenshots from Solano County COVID Dashboard on Thursday, May 20: