Tag Archives: Solano County CA

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Coronavirus in Solano County – 3 new cases reported on April 9

Thursday, April 9: three new cases no new deaths, total now 115 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 (Wednesday, April 8):

Summary:

Solano County reported 3 NEW POSITIVE CASES today – total is now 115.  No new deaths in Solano County – total of 2.

As of today:

    • 1 positive case was a young person under 19 years of age
    • 87 of the cases, 76%, were individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 (including 1 death)
    • 27 of the cases, 23%, were 65 or older (including 1 death)

Only 39 of the 115 are active cases (same yesterday), and 32 of the cases have resulted in hospitalizations (5 more than yesterday).

CITY DATA: Vallejo added no new cases, total of 41; Fairfield added no cases, total of 31; and Vacaville added 2 new cases, total of 20.  Smaller cities are still not assigned numerical data: all show <10 (less than 10).  NOTE that the 3 major cities only account for 2 of the 3 new cases, implying that 1 new case must have come from one of our four smaller cities or unincorporated areas.  Residents and city officials have been pressuring County officials for city case counts for the past two weeks.  Today’s data is welcome, but incomplete.

TESTING is minimal in Solano County.  I am told that the chart with blue bars (top, center), “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.  (This whole “flattening” thing is still a mystery to me!)

Solano’s upward curve in cumulative cases – as of April 9

The chart above gives a clear picture of the infection’s trajectory in Solano County.  Our COVID-19 curve continues on its uphill climb!

Everyone stay home and be safe!

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Solano Public Health Officer reminds residents to observe religious practices at home during Shelter at Home order

Solano County Public Health, April 8, 2020

SOLANO COUNTY – Solano County Public Health reminds the public that the Shelter at Home Health Order prohibits gatherings and directs individuals to stay home except for essential activities until April 30, 2020 to protect individuals from the possible transmission of COVID-19. Unfortunately, this Order impacts religious events that are underway throughout the month.

“We genuinely empathize with those who are unable to practice their religious traditions and celebrations during this challenging time,” said Dr. Bela Matyas, Solano County Health Officer. “However, to protect the health of our community members, the health order does not allow for gatherings outside of one’s immediate household. These measures, while disruptive, aim to curb the growing number of cases resulting from community spread, and to limit opportunities for people to spread COVID-19 to others unknowingly.”

The Health Order impacts observances where gatherings usually take place, including Holy Week and Easter, Passover, Orthodox Easter, Ramadan and other religious practices. Faith-based leaders and religious organizations are urged to close in-person services and not bring large groups of people together while the Health Order is in force.

It is important to emphasize that suspension of in-person gatherings is not a suspension of worship. There are many ways that religious practices can still be observed, including livestreaming or watching recordings online.

In addition, Solano Public Health reminds the public that avoiding non-essential travel and activities, washing hands frequently, and placing 6-feet distance between others when outside are ways to curb the spread of coronavirus in our community. For more information on COVID-19, visit www.solanocounty.com/covid19.  For questions about coronavirus, call the Coronavirus Warmline at 707-784-8988 or email covid19@solanocounty.com.   Follow Solano County Public Health on Facebook @SolanoCountyPH and www.Facebook.com/SolanoCountyPH.

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Solano County Library launches survey seeking info on online services during coronavirus

[NOTE: The Benicia Library is independent, not part of the Solano County Library system.  See Benicia Library Director David Dodd’s April 1 Pandemic Update.   – R.S.]

By VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD, April 8, 2020

Solano County LibraryThe Solano County Library wants to know what type of online programming that is responsive and reflective of the community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and has launched a survey, seeking community input.

“We’d love your input and suggestions on the types of topics and programs that resonate with you most during this period of physical distancing,” library officials said in a press release.

The survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/digitalscl

For more information, call 1-866-57-ASKUS or visit solanolibrary.com.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA, Testing

Coronavirus: 30 show up as Solano County begins COVID-19 testing at Fairgrounds

Testing site is for first responders, healthcare, essential service workers

Vallejo Times Herald, by Thomas Gase, April 8, 2020
Workers with the Solano Public Health Office collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

The mood was quiet, eerie and extremely cautious at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday at a drive-through coronavirus testing site made available to first responders, health care and essential workers who live or work in Solano County.

Approximately 30 people showed up by appointment only on the first day at the testing site, organized by the Solano County Health and & Social Services-Public Health division.

The testing is prioritized for those working on the front lines during the pandemic crisis, and to help ensure that the health care system continues to have the capacity to serve the community.

Public Health Administrator, Health and Social Services Department Jayleen Richards,  said that although there were only 10 people at the 9 a.m. to noon shift, they had 20 more who signed up for the 1 to 4 p.m. shift on Wednesday. The site remains open on Thursday and Friday, with only a morning shift available on Friday. The site will run again next week from Tuesday through Friday.

“We’ve had a lot of firefighters and some hospital workers show up today,” Richards said. “Not many essential workers have shown up so far. We’re thinking we’ve had enough signups for tomorrow that we’ll reach our maximum, which is 40 a day.”

Those patients showing from 2 to 3 p.m. declined to talk with the Times-Herald about the process, deciding instead to remain anonymous.

Workers with the Solano County Public Health Office prepare biohazard bags to collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

Richards said that after making an appointment by calling (707) 784-8655, the people with an appointment drive up for a process that takes about five to 10 minutes, depending on how many other cars are in front of them. The site is filled with health officials wearing masks and plenty of parking cones, the tall ones symbolizing a hot zone.

“For the most part the people who come up to get tested are pretty calm,” Solano County Public Health employee Elizabeth Gallardo said. “We just verify their appointment here at the front. They don’t ask too many questions, except when they will get results.”

The patients must show signs of either fever, cough, chills or body aches.