Tag Archives: Benicia CA

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Keeping Watch on Earth News, Solano County CA

COVID-19 UPDATE – Third death in Solano County, only one new case on April 21

Tuesday, April 21: one new case, one new death, total now 181 cases, 3 deaths:

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.

Yesterday’s report, Monday, April 20:

Summary

Solano County reported only 1 NEW POSITIVE CASE over the weekend and today – total is now 181.  But Solano reported ONE NEW DEATH – total now stands at 3.  As of today:

    • No additional positive cases of young persons under 19 years of age, total of 3 cases, less than 2% of total confirmed cases.
    • 1 new case was a person 19-64 years of age, total of 149 cases, 82%, of the total 181 confirmed cases. No new deaths, total of 1.
    • No new cases of persons 65 or older, total of 29 cases, 16% of the 181 total. No new deaths, total of 2. The new death was someone 65 or older, total of 2.

ACTIVE CASES:  30 of the 181 are active cases. This is 5 less than yesterday.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: 42 of Solano’s 181 cases resulted in hospitalizations (1 more than yesterday).

The County’s “Hospital Impact” graph (below) shows that only 9 are currently hospitalized, 1 fewer than yesterday.  The County increased its count of ICU beds available from MODERATE to GOOD, 31-100% available.  Our supply of ventilators continues at 31-100%, or GOOD.  (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.)

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added today’s 1 new case, total of 71
  • Fairfield remains at 47 cases.
  • Vacaville remains at 26 cases.
  • Suisun City remains at 11 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).  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 2,506 residents have been tested as of today.  This is an increase of only 43 tested since Friday’s total of 2,463 .  Again: why the slowdown?  Last week, around 150 new tests were reported daily.  (I have no information as to the reason for the slow pace of testing in Solano County – inadequate supply of kits, perhaps?)  Only 55 hundredths 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 21

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!

Benicia City Council, Public Comment

Benicia City Council meeting to accommodate public comment via Zoom

City Council Agenda for April 21 offers several ways to make comments

From the April 21 Benicia City Council Agenda:

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Advisory Notice

The Solano County Public Health Department has advised that non-essential gatherings should be canceled, postponed, or done remotely. Additional information is available at solanocounty.com/depts/ph/ncov.asp.

This meeting is necessary so that the City can continue to conduct its business and is considered an essential gathering. Consistent with Executive Orders No. 25-20 and No. 29-20 from the Executive Department of the State of California, the meeting will not be physically open to the public. Members of the City Council and staff will participate in this meeting via videoconferencing as permitted under Executive Orders No. 25-20 and No. 29-20.

As always, the public may submit public comments in advance and may view the meeting from home. Below is information on how to watch the meeting via cable and/or live stream and how to send in public comments that will be part of the public record.

How to Watch the Meeting:
1) Cable T.V. Broadcast on Channel 27
2) Livestream online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.

How to Submit Public Comments for this videoconferencing meeting:

Members of the public may provide public comments to the City Clerk by email at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us. Any comment submitted to the City Clerk should indicate what item of the agenda the comment relates to. Comments received by 3:00 pm will be electronically forwarded to the City Council and posted on the City’s website. Comments received after 3:00 pm, but before the start time of the meeting will be electronically forwarded to the City Council, but will not be posted on the City’s website. Comments received after the start time of the meeting, but prior to the close of the public comment period for an item will be read into the record, with a maximum allowance of 5 minutes per individual comment, subject to the Mayor’s discretion. All comments should be limited to a maximum of 750 words, which corresponds to approximately 5 minutes of speaking time. If a comment is received after the agenda item is heard, but before the close of the meeting, the comment will still be included as a part of the record of the meeting but will not be read into the record.

Additionally, the public may provide live public comment via Zoom on a particular agenda item during the public comment period for that item by calling into the number listed below and entering the Meeting ID number and password. After dialing in, you will automatically be placed on hold until the moderator releases your call to provide public comment. Your comments will be limited to 5 minutes. After you have made your comments the host will mute your audio.

Call in Number to Provide Public Comment via Zoom:
1-669-900-9128
Meeting ID: 931 5291 7520
Password: 347344

Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email City Clerk Lisa Wolfe at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us, who will use her best efforts to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

COVID-19 UPDATE – Solano County adds 11 more cases, notes fewer ICU beds available

County lowers its Hospital Impact report on ICU beds from GOOD to MODERATE

Monday, April 20: eleven new cases no new deaths, total now 180 cases, 2 deaths:

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.

Last report (Friday, April 17):

Summary

Solano County reported 11 NEW POSITIVE CASES over the weekend and today – total is now 180.  No new deaths in Solano County – still stands at 2.

Over the weekend:

    • 7 new cases were reported on Saturday 4/18
    • 4 new cases were reported on Sunday 4/19
    • 0 new cases were reported today, Monday 4/20

As of today:

    • 1 additional positive case was a young person under 19 years of age, total of 3 cases, less than 2% of total confirmed cases.
    • 9 of today’s 11 new cases were persons 19-64 years of age, total of 148 cases, 82%, of the total 180 confirmed cases. (No new deaths, total of 1).
    • 1 additional case was a person 65 or older, total of 29 cases, 16% of the 180 total. (No new deaths, total of 1).

ACTIVE CASES:  35 of the 180 are active cases. This is 2 more than previously reported on Friday, 4/17.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: 41 of Solano’s 180 cases resulted in hospitalizations (no change since Friday 4/17).  The County’s “Hospital Impact” graph (below) shows that only 10 are currently hospitalized, 2 fewer than yesterday.  The County lowered its count of ICU beds available from GOOD to MODERATE, dipping below 30% for the first time.  Our supply of ventilators continues at 31-100%, or GOOD.  (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.)

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added 3 new cases, total of 70
  • Fairfield added 4 new cases, total of 47
  • Vacaville added 2 new cases, total of 26 cases;
  • Suisun City remains at 11 cases.
  • Benicia added 1 new case, total of 12.
  • Dixon, Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: all show <10 (less than 10).  1 of today’s new cases remains a mystery, coming from one of these locations.  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 Number of residents tested panel reports that 2,463 residents have been tested as of today.  This is an increase of only 139 tested since Friday’s total of 2,324.  Why the slowdown?  Last week, around 150 new tests were reported daily.  Was testing halted on the weekend?  (I have no information as to the reason for the slow pace of testing in Solano County – inadequate supply of kits, perhaps?)  Only 55 hundredths 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 20

The chart above gives a clear picture of 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!

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia Bakery Provides Comfort Food And Kitchen Staples In Stressful Times

Local News Matters, Casey Cantrell, Bay City News Foundation 4/11/20
“In moments of stress and panic, I always go to food for comfort,” said Hannalee Pervan, co-owner and head baker at One House Bakery. “I wanted to make sure that people in Benicia have some comfort, some sense of normalcy.” (Photos courtesy of One House Bakery)

As a veteran of Le Cordon Bleu, as well as Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery and The French Laundry, Hannalee Pervan is used to high-pressure situations. But the co-owner and head baker of One House Bakery in Benicia wasn’t ready for a crisis of this magnitude.

On a normal day, the popular cafe on First Street would be bustling with customers stopping in for a morning coffee or during their lunch break. Now designated an essential service, the expansive restaurant stands nearly empty except for a skeleton crew of about half a dozen employees, all of whom don cloth face masks and gloves while doing their best to maintain social distance in the open kitchen.

Pervan, who opened the restaurant in 2018 and runs it with her parents, wrestles with new obstacles seemingly on a daily basis.

“I’m terrified for the safety of my parents [and] employees,” said Pervan, 34. “It’s scary having your livelihood on the line every day. … But there’s no other way to go than forward. You just go forward.”

Like other eateries in the area, One House Bakery has transitioned from a sit-down service to online and phone orders and curbside pickup, with limited delivery options for the town of Benicia. But as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered non-essential Bay Area businesses and sent residents flocking home, Pervan knew it wasn’t enough just to keep the doors to her restaurant open.

Hannalee Pervan of One House Bakery in Benicia.

“In moments of stress and panic, I always go to food for comfort,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that people in Benicia have some comfort, some sense of normalcy.”

Where many restaurants have shrunk their menus, Pervan has expanded hers. On March 19, she added ready-to-bake meals — frozen pot pies, mac and cheese, shepherd’s pies — alongside her traditional assortment of breads, pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads, and coffee drinks. To serve residents struggling to prepare food for their households, she put together the “Family Meal” — a daily prix fixe dinner special of wholesome and delicious food that serves four for $50. And she opened up her inventory of kitchen staples for purchase — milk, butter, eggs, flour and sugar.

For residents like Vicki Wilson, 45, that was a lifesaver. “Sugar, flour, and yeast … are almost impossible to find in any store,” she said. “One House has been amazing during this time. My husband and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as possible, so going to One House is a no-brainer.”

“We truly care for them,” said Pervan. “It’s my community, and I want them to be nourished and happy.”

And she continues to supplement her offerings, adding staples such as baking soda, yogurt, and bacon and regularly modifying her menu to better serve the region.

“We’re incredibly grateful. People have stuck with us,” said Pervan. “We’re not perfect, but we’re trying to improve every day. We’re grateful that we still get to feed them.”