Solano County Public Health publishes a daily report beautifully displaying each day’s Coronavirus data. But there is no easily available record to show detailed increases in infections, deaths and other data OVER TIME.
I have kept these records since April 20, and will make them available here today.
Note that the PDFs are formatted to fit on a single legal sheet, and are therefore a little hard to read. They are also not kept current. If you are familiar with Excel, you would do well to view the spreadsheet, which is updated daily. (Note that the spreadsheet has 3 tabs: Summary and Cities, 4 Age Groups, and 3 Age Groups.)
>> For daily COVID reports here on the Benicia Independent, see my Coronavirus page. I have reported daily Monday-Friday around 6pm after Solano County posts its daily Dashboard update.
Vallejo Times Herald, by Richard Freedman, July 24, 2020
People walk along the waterfront in Vallejo, some choosing not to wear face coverings. Solano County will not follow the lead of counties like Marin and Napa that could possibly cite those who are not in compliance with mask regulations. (Chris Riley—Times-Herald)
Solano County will not take Napa and Marin county leads and levy fines against those who refuse to wear face coverings during COVID-19.
Erin Hannigan, Solano County Board of Supervisors, District 1, said no similar policy is in discussion.
“We are not contemplating one at this time,” Hannigan said Friday, adding that “Cities are on the front lines of enforcement of the shelter-in-home orders.”
Napa and Marin counties approved fines up to $500 for violators ignoring state and local health orders after California surpassed New York on Wednesday with the highest COVID-19 case count. On Thursday, the state reported a record seven-day average for deaths.
Marin County can fine anti-maskers $25 to $500 and businesses can be fined between $250 and $10,000 for compliance failure.
Napa County passed its emergency ordinance July 14. People who hold gatherings or walk outside without a face covering risk fines mirroring Marin’s. Businesses could pay up to $5,000 for failing to enforce mask and social distancing rules.
It will not rely on sheriff’s deputies or city police officers. Instead, the county will use staffers in its code enforcement office. The ordinance leaves the level of that enforcement to a city’s discretion.
“I’m interested in seeing if the policies are effective,” Hannigan said.
In Vallejo, economic development director Annette Taylor communicates with any business that has been reported as violating “must-wear-mask” edict and will do spot checks, said Mayor Bob Sampayan.
A second complaint against the business garners a letter from the city attorney’s office.
So far, Sampayan said, “we haven’t needed to take it to the point of issuing a citation.”
Hannigan said enforcement would be difficult with an already-stretched thin police departments “and a very stretched Solano County Public Health office. It would be easier to enforce face coverings in businesses because the businesses are licensed through city’s and they can self regulate customers in their business. Individual face covering enforcement is harder.”
Solano County is following the COVID-19 guidelines from the California Dept. of Public Health which mandates wearing face coverings.
“We have to be reasonable and use common sense,” Sampayan said. “There are times you can’t wear a mask. Say you’re sitting outdoors at a restaurant for dinner. Are you going to be wearing a mask between bites and sips of a drink? That doesn’t make sense. But if you’re standing in a lobby of that restaurant, you should be wearing a mask and do the social distancing.”
Sampayan acknowledged that an elected official can influence adherence to public policy.
“I was chatting with a person on the waterfront the other day with several people around,” Sampayan said. “I had my mask on and one of them looked at me and said, ‘Sorry,’ and put their mask on.”
“For the most part, the majority of the public respects the need and the reasoning behind having to wear a mask,” Sampayan said. “I’m thankful for that. As (Dr. Anthony) Fauci said, “If we were to wear masks we can stop the spread within several months. This is not going to away on its own.”
Sampayan has been confronted by several who believe it’s their right as an American to not wear a face covering in public.
“I’m not going to debate with people. If you don’t want to wear a mask, don’t wear a mask,” Sampayan said. “However, think about the people around you. How many have we seen nationwide adamant that it’s their right to not wear a mask … and the next thing you know, they’ve come down with COVID-19 and they die.”
“We have had more residents speak at our Board meetings who are against wearing face masks,” Hanigan said. “I’m all for making sure everyone has a face covering and leading by example.”
Several sidewalk diners in front of Good Day Cafe in downtown Vallejo offered feedback Friday afternoon on the mask debate. To fine or not to fine?
“I think it depends on the situation,” said Tanya Hill of American Canyon. “I’m sitting here ready to eat, drinking a beverage. Clearly, I can’t wear a mask. Again, it depends on the situation. To just walk up to someone, ‘I’m going to ticket you,’ I don’t think that’s the best use of police.”
Requiring a merchant’s employees to wear masks “I think is a good way to go,” added Hill. “I think as a community we should all be invested to make sure everybody stays safe. One of the things I remember learning in high school civics: My rights end where your rights begin. You have as much right to be free from infection as I do. If I choose not to wear a mask, that hinders your rights. ”
Another diner, “Joe,” said a fine policy for not wearing masks “is good if you can’t social distance.”
Tyler Mitchell, however, disagreed.
“I think it should be left open to the individuals. I think that if you feel like you need masks for your own personal health you should wear one,” Mitchell said. “I don’t think it should be imposed on anyone else.”
Raymond Prather, owner of The Victory Stores downtown, believes that if there is an ordinance in place for individuals, “people should at least get a warning first.”
However, he added, “I don’t think people should be fined. I think people should just have the sense to wear them.”
Friday, July 24: 59 new cases today, no new deaths. Since the outbreak started: 3,129 cases, 35 deaths.
Compare previous report, Thursday July 23:Summary
Solano County reported 59 new cases today, total of 3,129 cases since the outbreak started. Over the last 7 days, Solano reported 575 new cases, an average of 82 per day.
Deaths – no new deaths today, total of 35.
Currently hospitalized, 7/24/20
Hospitalizations – 3 fewer currentlyhospitalized persons today, total of 49. 2 more in the total number hospitalized since the outbreak started: 132. (The County no longer reports Total Hospitalized, but I have added the hospitalization numbers in the Age Group chart.)
Active cases– Solano reported73 fewer ACTIVE cases today, total of 289. Last week Solano hit a record high of 440 active cases. Note that only 49 of today’s 289 active cases are hospitalized; a lot of infected people are out among us, hopefully quarantined. One wonders… is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons? (See SF Chronicle report on contact tracing in Bay Area – “Solano County did not respond”.)
ICU beds Available remained at 36%. Ventilators Available remained at 91%.
Testing – 524 residents were tested since yesterday, total of 48,168. But we still have a long way to go: only 10.7% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.
Percent Positive Test Rate
Solano County reported today’s 7-day percent positive test rate at 6.5%, down 0.3% since yesterday. The County posted a record high of 9.3% just 2 days ago. Last week the number increased each day, from 5.3% on Monday to a 9.1% on Friday. CONTEXT: California’s 7-day positivity rate is reported today at 7.9%. Increasingly, health officials and news reports are focusing on percent positive test rates. This information is immediately important, as test positivity is one of the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus. Positive test rates in California and other southwestern states have been on the rise.
By Age Group
Youth 17 and under – 7 new cases today, total of 322 cases, and no new hospitalizations, only 2 hospitalizations since the outbreak began. A week ago, there were 243 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 79 new cases in just 7 days!I continue to raise an alarm for Solano’s youth. Cases among Solano youth have increased in recent weeks to over 10% of the 3,129 total confirmed cases.
Persons 18-49 years of age – 38 new cases today, total of 1,901 cases. This age group represents over 60% of the 3,129total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups. The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 33 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 3 deaths.
Persons 50-64 years of age – 11 new cases today, total of 598 cases. This age group represents over 19% of the 3,129 total cases. The County reported 2 new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 43 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 4 deaths.
Persons 65 years or older – 3 new cases today, total of 307 cases. This age group represents just under 10% of the 3,129 total cases. No new hospitalizations, total of 54 hospitalized since the outbreak began. No new deaths, total of 28. In this older age group, nearly 18% of cases required hospitalization at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups. This group accounts for 28 of the 35 deaths, or 80%.
City Data
Benicia remained steady today, total of 68 cases. Benicia was extremely stable with only 2 new cases for the entire month of June. Now Benicia has seen 28 new cases in 14 days.
Dixonadded 4 new cases today, total of 161 cases.
Fairfield added 16 new cases today, total of 1,062. Fairfield has more positive cases than anywhere in Solano County.
Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 25 cases.
Suisun City added 4 new cases today, total of 232 cases.
Vacaville added 12 new cases today, total of 536 cases.
Vallejoadded 23 new cases today, total of 1,035.
Unincorporated areas – For the first time today, the County shows Unincorporated without the <10 designation. Solano’s unincorporated areas added no new cases today, total of 10.
Race / Ethnicity
The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics. There are also tabs showing a calculated rate per 100,000 by race/ethnicity for each of these boxes. This information is discouragingly similar to national reportsthat indicate worse outcomes among black and brown Americans. As of today:
White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but only account for 21% of cases, 24% of hospitalizations and 23% of deaths.
Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 12% of cases, but 26% of hospitalizations, and 32% of deaths.
Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 31% of cases, 30% of hospitalizations, and 26% of deaths.
Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 9% of cases and 14% of hospitalizations, but 16% of deaths.
Thursday, July 23: 88 new cases today, no new deaths. Since the outbreak started: 3,070 cases, 35 deaths.
Compare previous report, Wednesday July 22:Summary
Solano County reported 88 new cases today, total of 3,070 cases since the outbreak started. Over the last 7 days, Solano reported 587 new cases, an average of 84 per day.
Deaths – no new deaths today, total of 35.
Currently hospitalized, 7/22/23
Hospitalizations – 2 additional currentlyhospitalized persons today, total of 52. No increase in the total number hospitalized since the outbreak started: 130. (The County no longer reports Total Hospitalized, but I have added the hospitalization numbers in the Age Group chart.)
Active cases– Solano reported51 more ACTIVE cases today, total of 362. Last week we hit a record high of 440 active cases. Note that only 52 of today’s 362 active cases are hospitalized; a lot of infected people are out among us, hopefully quarantined. One wonders… is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons? (See SF Chronicle report on contact tracing in Bay Area – “Solano County did not respond”.)
ICU beds Available remained at 36%. Ventilators Available remained at 91%.
Testing – 1,229 residents were tested since yesterday, total of 47,644. But we still have a long way to go: only 10.6% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.
Percent Positive Test Rate – questionable data…
Percent positive tests – Solano County – Thursday, 7/23/20Percent positive tests – Solano County – Wednesday, 7/22/20
Solano County reported today’s 7-day percent positive test rate at 6.8%. This represents an incredibly unlikely drop of 2.5% in just one day, in data that is supposed to be a smooth 7-day average. The County is evidently using a different measure today, or made a huge mistake here today or yesterday when it posted a record high of 9.3%. Last week the number increased each day, from 5.3% on Monday to a 9.1% on Friday. Large daily increases will eventually show on the 7-day average line. CONTEXT: California’s 7-day positivity rate is reported today at 8.0%. Increasingly, health officials and news reports are focusing on percent positive test rates. This information is immediately important, as test positivity is one of the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus. Positive test rates in California and other southwestern states have been on the rise.
By Age Group
Youth 17 and under – 10 new cases today, total of 315 cases, and no new hospitalizations, total only 2 since the outbreak began. A week ago, there were 237 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 78 new cases in just 7 days!I continue to raise an alarm for Solano’s youth. Cases among Solano youth have increased in recent weeks to over 10% of the 3,070 total confirmed cases.
Persons 18-49 years of age – 50 new cases today, total of 1,863 cases. This age group represents over 60% of the 3,070 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups. The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 33 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 3 deaths.
Persons 50-64 years of age – 18 new cases today, total of 587 cases. This age group represents over 19% of the 3,070 total cases. The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 41 hospitalized since the outbreak began, and no new deaths among this age group, total of 4 deaths.
Persons 65 years or older – 10 new cases today, total of 304 cases. This age group represents 10% of the 3,070 total cases. No new hospitalizations, total of 54 hospitalized since the outbreak began. No new deaths, total of 28. In this older age group, nearly 18% of cases required hospitalization at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups. This group accounts for 28 of the 35 deaths, or 80%.
City Data
Beniciaadded 3 new cases today, total of 68 cases. Benicia was extremely stable with only 2 new cases for the entire month of June. Now Benicia has seen 16 new cases in 7 days.
Dixonadded 2 new cases today, total of 157 cases.
Fairfield added 26 new cases today, total of 1,046. Fairfield has more positive cases than anywhere in Solano County.
Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 25 cases.
Suisun City added 7 new cases today, total of 228 cases.
Vacaville added 25 new cases today, total of 524 cases.
Vallejoadded 24 new cases today, total of 1,012.
Unincorporated areas – Although the County still still shows Unincorporated at <10 (less than 10), a little math tells a different story: Solano’s unincorporated areas added 1 new case today, total of 10 cases (those unaccounted for in the other City totals).
Race / Ethnicity
The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics. There are also tabs showing a calculated rate per 100,000 by race/ethnicity for each of these boxes. This information is discouragingly similar to national reportsthat indicate worse outcomes among black and brown Americans. As of today:
White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but only account for 21% of cases, 24% of hospitalizations and 23% of deaths.
Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 13% of cases, but 26% of hospitalizations, and 32% of deaths.
Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 31% of cases, 27% of hospitalizations, and 26% of deaths.
Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 9% of cases and 14% of hospitalizations, but 16% of deaths.
Note that the PDFs are formatted to fit on a single legal sheet, and are therefore a little hard to read. They are also not kept current. If you are familiar with Excel, you would do well to view the spreadsheet, which is updated daily. (Note that the spreadsheet has 3 tabs: Summary and Cities, 4 Age Groups, and 3 Age Groups.)
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