The “Number of cases” button previously read “Updated daily at 4pm.” Sometime after 4pm on Saturday, March 28, the text below the button was changed to “Updated Monday to Friday at 4pm.”
The County updated the number of cases on Saturday March 21, but starting yesterday, the Solano public will no longer get weekend updates.
The Johns Hopkins interactive map shows no change for Solano County from Friday’s total of 34 cases. Presumably, that map is dependent on reports from County officials – OR, there was no change on Saturday.
In a press release, Sheriff Ferrara says no ‘known cases’ of COVID-19 in the jail so far, but a Solano County Superior Court commissioner and a spokeswoman for jail nurse contractor Wellpath confirm the positive test
By Richard Bammer, Vacaville Reporter, March 27, 2020
Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara
Two people have reported or confirmed that a nurse working in the Solano Jail has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but Sheriff Tom Ferrara, in a press release issued Friday, noted “no known cases of persons contracting COVID-19 within our jails.”
Solano County Superior Court Commissioner Bryan J. Kim on Thursday mentioned during afternoon arraignments that a nurse from the Wellpath company, which contracts with Solano County Jail for nursing services, had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Deputy Public Defender Nick Filloy told The Reporter he heard Kim make the statement during the afternoon session in Department 24 in the Hall of Justice in Fairfield.
Additionally, a spokeswoman for the Wellpath company, based in Nashville, Tenn., confirmed early Friday that the nurse had, indeed, tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
She asked not to be identified, citing the sensitive nature of her job, and provided no additional information other than suggesting the nurse was female.
At press time Friday, Ferrara and Undersheriff Brad DeWall had not responded to a request for comment from The Reporter.
It is unknown when or where the nurse tested positive, the nature of her county jail work schedule in recent days, how many inmates she came in contact with before she was tested, and whether she is quarantined for at least 14 days in her residence, a standard accepted practice recognized by public health officials.
In the prepared statement, Ferrara wrote that the Sheriff’s Office “remains committed to the health and well-being of all persons currently incarcerated or working within our correctional facilities. Currently, there are no known cases of persons contracting COVID-19 within our jails.”
He cited a March 20 order from Solano County Superior Court officials authorizing the release of inmates who are serving county jail commitments with 60 days or less remaining on their sentence, “so long as they qualify within the criteria set forth in the Order.”
However, no inmate whose crime includes serving time for domestic violence or an offense involving a victim of domestic violence or serving time for an offense that requires registration as a sex offender is eligible for early release, noted Ferrara.
“We are working in collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office and the Probation Department to review and concur with each potential release,” he added in the prepared statement. “Prior to being released, we will verify that the inmate has a place to live to ensure they go to a safe environment that allows them to comply with the Shelter-at-Home directive.”
He also noted the department is making sure the released inmates have transportation to their homes.
The March 20 order “will result in the initial release of up to 60 inmates, many of which currently have less than 30 days left to serve,” Ferrara pointed out.
The release of inmates allows the Sheriff’s Office to establish intake quarantine housing units to monitor newly booked inmates and maintain a medical isolation unit for any confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, he wrote.
Solano County Deputy District Attorney Andrew Wood described to The Reporter how jail arraignments are being handled during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In an email, he wrote that during such arraignments, deputy district attorneys “are teleconferencing into court and some inmates are being placed in the court adjacent room with a glass partition and microphone for court proceedings.”
The inmates, he added, “can see court proceedings and communicate with the court from this position, rather than bringing them into the courtroom.”
Known as a fierce defender of his clients’ constitutional rights, Filloy was shocked at Kim’s revelation and the later confirmation by the Wellpath spokeswoman.
“If the Solano County’s Sheriff’s Department wants to spread COVID-19 to all of Solano County, they are doing a bang-up job,” he wrote in a text message.
Solano County reported NO NEW POSITIVE CASES today – total remains 34. You are still at risk – everyone stay home and be safe!
The chart at bottom right, “Cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases…” gives a clear picture of the infection’s trajectory in Solano County.
Also of interest:
Differentiation between Total number of cases (34) and Active cases (12). NOTE THAT active cases yesterday were 15, thus 3 Solano cases are no longer considered active.
Total number hospitalized (12 known, 3 more than yesterday)
Proportion of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 (coming soon)
Total number of deaths (0 as of March 27)
Total number of cases by age groups (0-18: 0; 19-64: 22; 65 and older: 12).
Total residents tested today (coming soon)
The line chart at top right shows when these cases were tested over the last several weeks, (“Date of specimen collection”).
Note:
Solano staff refuses to divulge WHERE in the County the positive cases reside.
SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services is the local County department that assists individuals in gaining access to a range of safety net support services for individuals and families experiencing hardships, and especially now by COVID-19. These programs, including food assistance, medical insurance and cash aid for those who are eligible, are designed to ensure that all individuals and families have resources to meet their basic needs.
CalFresh Food Program
CalFresh provides benefits to help households purchase the food. The benefits are provided via Electronic Benefits Transmission (EBT) which is accessed by using a card, like a debit card. These cards are accepted at grocery stores, farmer’s markets and most other stores that sell food.
CalWORKs Cash Assistance Program
CalWORKs provides cash assistance, housing, utilities, and clothing for families with little or no income. These benefits are issued via EBT card.
Medi-Cal Health Insurance
Medi-Cal health insurance pays for medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.
General Assistance Programs
General assistance programs provide cash assistance for adults without dependents. These cash benefits are issued via EBT card.
All Solano County community members, regardless of immigration status, may apply for these programs if they are eligible. For more information about immigration and these safety net supports, visit https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss/publiccharge
Most applications for these programs will be accepted and processed remotely while Shelter at Home Orders are in effect due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). After an application is submitted, the applicant will be contacted by phone to schedule a phone interview, which may be on the same day. Applications may be obtained and submitted as follows:
Phone: (707) 784-8050 in Fairfield or (707) 553-5000 in Vallejo and (707) 469-4500 in Vacaville, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pick Up / Drop Off Application: Community members are strongly encouraged to apply online or request an application by phone. However, this may not be possible in some cases. Community members may visit H&SS buildings to pick up or drop-off an application if needed: 365 Tuolumne St., Vallejo; 275 Beck Ave, Fairfield; 1119 E. Monte Vista, Vacaville. Community members can return the application.
By mail: Solano County H&SS Department, PO Box 12000, Vallejo, CA 94590
By FAX: to Solano County Health & Social Services Department, (707) 784-8050
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For information about other safety net programs in Solano County, visit www.SolanoCounty.com. Individuals who have questions about their active case should call the Benefits Action Center at (707) 784-3900.
EMPLOYMENT AND INSURANCE INFORMATION
For those unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19, caring for an ill family member or working reduced hours because of COVID-19 related business closures, visit the CA Employment Development Department website to file an unemployment or disability insurance claim: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm. Governor Newsom’s recent Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period.
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