“The decision, as you will read below, to cancel the 3rd of July parade and 4th of July fireworks show was extremely difficult for all involved. After discussion with Benicia Main Street (who host the events), thoughtful consideration of the current situation, as well as the uncertainty over what will transpire in June, we collaboratively made this difficult decision. In good conscience, we simply cannot bring 20-30,000 people into close contact as close as we are to the finish line. It is our sincere hope that neighborhoods and neighbors will use this opportunity to come together, host small neighborhood events that help bring us closer together and build upon what makes Benicia so special.”
Cancellation of 4th of July Events
In an abundance of caution, the City will forgo hosting the 3rd of July parade and the fireworks show on the evening of July 4th due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The traditional Torchlight Parade on July 3rd and the Picnic in the Park and Fireworks Display on July 4th are events cosponsored by the City of Benicia and Benicia Main Street.
Unfortunately, Solano County remains one of the few counties still in the more restrictive Red Tier. Governor Newsom has announced plans to relax regulations and remove the tier system on June 15th. However, mass gatherings are currently not allowed, and the State has provided no indication that mass gatherings will be permitted with the forthcoming changes. Mass gatherings are of concern because Benicia’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display each draw upwards of 20,000 spectators.
The City and Benicia Main Street have been waiting for guidance from the Governor’s Office to make a final determination but due to the need to have begun planning some time ago and the lack of specific details from the Governor’s Office, the City wants to give families time to prepare for other celebrations.
“Those communities that have announced plans to host 4th of July festivities are able to do so because they have venues, such as amphitheaters or other spaces, where attendance can be limited and controlled. In Benicia, we don’t have the facilities that would allow to limit the size of mass gatherings,” said Erik Upson, City Manager. “The safety of our community remains our top priority. We have the end of this pandemic in sight and can look forward to celebrating again as a community next year.”
Smaller neighborhood celebrations are encouraged. The City’s Parks and Community Services Department will soon announce exciting details of fun 4th of July activities to bring neighborhoods together.
COVID Vaccine Update
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15-year-old adolescents. Solano County Public Health has expanded vaccine eligibility to Solano County residents 12-15 years of age. Starting last Thursday, families can now schedule an appointment for their 12 to 15-year-old to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Parents must accompany their children to the vaccine clinic as consent is required.
For individuals age 16-17 years old, they can also receive receive the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to their appointment, or have a parent/guardian that can contact by phone during the appointment.
Public Health has several vaccine clinics scheduled. Click here for details. For scheduling assistance, call the vaccine line at 707.784.8655. Homebound or need transportation to get to a vaccine clinic? Call the vaccine line at 707.784.8655.
On May 14, Solano County reported 21 new COVID cases. Our hearts go out to those 21 and their families and friends. RECENTLY: We saw 1,288 new cases in April, an average of 43 per day. In the first 14 days of May, Solano reported 497 new cases, an average of 36 per day. Reports are that our red-tier Solano County will not be joining all other Bay Area counties in opening to less restrictive tiers anytime soon.
We learned of 4 new hospitalizations today, all persons over 65 years of age. Solano’s Active cases fell today from 296 to 276. Our percent positivity ratealso fell today from 7.4% to 6.9%, our first day under 7% since May 3rd, but still much higher than recent months. We have not seen rates this high since Feb. 22.
Cases among children and youth have increased alarmingly
Percent of today’s new cases, age groups, May 14, 2021
Date
New Cases 0-17 years
New Cases
18-49 years
New Cases
50-64 years
New Cases
65+ years
TOTAL
14-May
7
10
2
2
21
14-May
33%
48%
10%
10%
100%
Compare TODAY (above) with percentages since LAST SUMMER (below). Note especially children and youth 0-17 years:
Percent of ALL CASES SINCE JUNE 2020, age groups as of May 14, 2021
Date
Cases % 0-17
Cases
% 18-49
Cases
% 50-64
Cases
% 65+
6/5/20
5.8%
45.2%
25.6%
23.3%
7/1/20
9.0%
57.5%
20.1%
13.4%
8/31/20
11.0%
60.6%
19.2%
9.2%
5/14/21
12.2%
55.4%
20.5%
11.8%
Hospitalizations – new information today…
The Solano County COVID dashboardSummary tab only shows active hospitalizations for the current day (16 today – 3 more than yesterday). This number represents the total currently hospitalized after yesterday’s admissions and discharges. Little can be learned from this about the accumulated total of hospitalizations since the outbreak began.
Solano County Hospitalizations by Age Group. See Solano Dashboard DEMOGRAPHICS TAB for details.
But on the Demographics tab of the County dashboard, the County “occasionally” updates the accumulated total of hospitalizations by age group. These numbers were updated earlier this week and again today. Today the County reported 4 new hospitalizations, all persons age 65+. On Monday this week, the County reported 3 new hospitalizations since early April, and added another 6 on Tuesday. The 5-day increase of 13 hospitalizations includes 1 person age 18-49, 1 person 50-64 and 11 persons age 65+. We’ll keep an eye on this for more “occasional” updates.
Solano County Total COVID Hospitalizations by AGE GROUPS as of May 14
Hospitalizations
Age 0-17
Hospitalizations
Age 18-49
Hospitalizations
Age 50-64
Hospitalizations
Age 65+
26
324
332
602
>> The virus is still on the move here. Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear a mask and social distance! We will get through this together.
Cases by City on Friday, May 14:
Benicia remained steady today, total of 983 cases since the outbreak began. Benicia averaged 2 cases/day in April.
Dixon added 1 new case today, total of 1,899 cases.
Fairfield added 6 new cases today, total of 8,966 cases.
Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 370 cases.
Suisun City remained steady today, total of 2,262 cases.
Vacaville added 4 new cases today, total of 8,610 cases.
Vallejoadded 10 new cases today, total of 9,781 cases.
Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 103 cases.
COMPARE: Screenshots from Solano County COVID Dashboard on Thursday, May 13:
The data on this page is from today’s and the previous Solano County COVID-19 Dashboard. The Dashboard is full of much more information and updated weekdays around 4 or 5pm. On the County’s dashboard, you can hover a mouse or click on an item for more information. Note the tabs at top for Summary, Demographics and Vaccines. Click here to go to today’s Solano County Dashboard.
Today Solano County added an update of its own and links to new CDC and CDPH guidelines. Here they are:
Solano County – vaccines ready now for adolescents:
(5-12-21) CDC panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12-15 years old Following CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation to use the Pfizer vaccine for 12-15-year-old adolescents, Solano County will begin administering the vaccine to this age group starting May 13, 2021. For a list of upcoming vaccine clinics in Solano County, see the list of upcoming mass vaccine events. Get Vaccinated, Solano! We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep distance from others outside your own household, and most importantly, get vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19.
California Department of Public Health – guidance on sporting events:
On May 13, Solano County reported 41 new COVID cases. Our hearts go out to those 41 and their families and friends. RECENTLY: We saw 1,288 new cases in April, an average of 43 per day. In the first 13 days of May, Solano reported 476 new cases, an average of 37 per day. Reports are that our red-tier Solano County will not be joining all other Bay Area counties in opening to less restrictive tiers anytime soon.
We learned of 1 new death today, a person over 65 years of age. Solano’s Active cases rose today from 236 to 296. Our percent positivity raterose today, our 10th day in a row over 7%, and remains high at 7.4%. We have not seen rates this high since Feb. 22.
Cases among children and youth have increased alarmingly
Percent of today’s new cases, age groups, May 13, 2021
Date
New Cases 0-17 years
New Cases
18-49 years
New Cases
50-64 years
New Cases
65+ years
TOTAL
13-May
9
18
10
4
41
13-May
22%
44%
24%
10%
100%
Compare TODAY (above) with percentages since LAST SUMMER (below). Note especially children and youth 0-17 years:
Percent of ALL CASES SINCE JUNE 2020, age groups as of May 13, 2021
Date
Cases % 0-17
Cases
% 18-49
Cases
% 50-64
Cases
% 65+
6/5/20
5.8%
45.2%
25.6%
23.3%
7/1/20
9.0%
57.5%
20.1%
13.4%
8/31/20
11.0%
60.6%
19.2%
9.2%
5/13/21
12.2%
55.4%
20.5%
11.8%
Hospitalizations – no new information today…
The Solano County COVID dashboardSummary tab only shows active hospitalizations for the current day (16 today – 3 more than yesterday). This number represents the total currently hospitalized after yesterday’s admissions and discharges. Little can be learned from this about the accumulated total of hospitalizations since the outbreak began.
Solano County Hospitalizations by Age Group. See Solano Dashboard DEMOGRAPHICS TAB for details.
But on the Demographics tab of the County dashboard, the County “occasionally” updates the accumulated total of hospitalizations by age group. These numbers had not been updated since early April, but were updated this week. Monday the County reported 3 new hospitalizations since early April, and added another 6 on Tuesday. The 2-day increase of 9 includes 1 person age 18-49, 1 person 50-64 and 7 persons age 65+. Looks like hospitalizations are dramatically DOWN. We’ll keep an eye on this for more “occasional” updates.
Solano County Total COVID Hospitalizations by AGE GROUPS as of May 13
Hospitalizations
Age 0-17
Hospitalizations
Age 18-49
Hospitalizations
Age 50-64
Hospitalizations
Age 65+
26
324
332
598
>> The virus is still on the move here. Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear a mask and social distance! We will get through this together.
Cases by City on Thursday, May 13:
Beniciaadded 4 cases today, total of 983 cases since the outbreak began. Benicia averaged 2 cases/day in April.
Dixon added 2 cases today, total of 1,898 cases.
Fairfield added 17 new cases today, total of 8,960 cases.
Rio Vista remained steady today, total of 370 cases.
Suisun City added 4 new cases today, total of 2,262 cases.
Vacaville added 9 new cases today, total of 8,606 cases.
Vallejoadded only 5 new cases today, total of 9,771 cases.
Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 103 cases.
City Manager Upson reports on COVID in Benicia
Benicia City Manager Erik Upson
Benicia City Manager Erik Upson reported on COVID in this week’s City of Benicia newsletter. Benicia, he wrote, is “second in the County for highest level of vaccination at 73.9% (just behind Rio Vista at 74.8%) and have the lowest incident rate at at .035 (Solano County average is double that at .07). There are many factors that go into those numbers, but I believe part of it is our City’s approach to making it our top priority and our community’s willingness to step forward and set the example. Great job Benicia! If you’re looking for a vaccine, click here to find upcoming clinics.” [More]
COMPARE: Screenshots from Solano County COVID Dashboard on Wednesday, May 12:
The data on this page is from today’s and the previous Solano County COVID-19 Dashboard. The Dashboard is full of much more information and updated weekdays around 4 or 5pm. On the County’s dashboard, you can hover a mouse or click on an item for more information. Note the tabs at top for Summary, Demographics and Vaccines. Click here to go to today’s Solano County Dashboard.
From City Manager Erik Upson’s weekly newsletter, May 17, 2021.
You must be logged in to post a comment.