Category Archives: Solano County CA

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

Solano County adds 73 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, expands reporting dashboard

Monday, June 22: 73 new positive cases, no new deaths. Total 933 cases, 23 deaths.

The County has re-designed its COVID-19 Dashboard.  More about this later…

Summary

  • Solano County reported 73 new positive cases today, total of 933 cases.
  • No new deaths today, total of 23, and no new hospitalizations, total of 98.
  • Solano reported 8 fewer ACTIVE cases today, total 168.
  • Testing – Solano county reported 4,193 residents were tested over 3 days since Friday’s report.
  • Youth – 7 new cases since Friday among the 17 and under age group, total 70.  There have been 65 new cases among Solano youth in the last 6 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior. (More on Solano youth data below.)

New Dashboard Design – 2 panels

The County’s new design includes the “Summary Data” panel (above) and the “Details/Demographics” panel (here below).  I’m  learning my way around, and  will go into some detail below and more at a later date.  For now, go there and explore the two panels.  Note that both panels are user interactive – hover over a chart to get details.  Note on the Details/Demographics panel that most of the charts have an additional tab showing the rate per 100,000.

SEVEN DAY MOVING AVERAGE

The County has added an important new feature: a Seven day moving average chart.  The chart is “The average of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Solano County residents over the past 7 calendar days, by the date that their specimens were collected.”  Here is today’s chart, with today’s average of 14 new cases per day.  This chart surely shows a significant rise in the average number of cases during June.


BY AGE GROUP

  • Youth 17 and under – 7 new cases today, total of 70 cases, only one ever hospitalized. 10 days ago, there were only 39 cases among this age group – we’ve seen over 30 new cases in 10 days!  I am alarmed for Solano’s youth: there have been 59 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 6 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior!  Cases among Solano youth have increased in recent weeks to 7.5% of the 933 total confirmed cases.  According to the SF Chronicle, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the figure of coronavirus-infected kids younger than 18 at around 4% of those with the disease.”  We are nearly double the national rate!
  • Persons 18-49 years of age – 53 new cases today, total of 505 cases.  The County again adjusted its count of hospitalizations among this group, reporting 1 fewer hospitalization today.  No new deaths.  Total of 25 hospitalized at one time and 2 deaths.  This age group now represents 54% of the 933 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.   26 of the 505 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 5.1% of total cases in the age group.
  • Persons 50-64 years of age – 10 new cases today, total of 204 cases.  The County adjusted its count of hospitalizations, reporting 2 additional hospitalizations today, total of 33 hospitalized at one time.  No new deaths, total of 3 deaths.  This age group represents 21.9% of the 933 total cases.   33 of the 204 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 16.2% of total cases in the age group.
  • Persons 65 years or older – 2 new cases today, total of 153 cases, including no new hospitalizations and no new deaths.  Total of 39 hospitalized at one time and 18 deaths.  This age group represents 16.4% of the 933 total cases.  39 of the 153 cases in this age group, 25.5% were hospitalized at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  And… this group counts for 18 of the 23 deaths, or 78%.

CITY DATA

Note the new “Rate” column, which shows the rate of COVID-19 cases (per 100,000 population) by city of residence.  Benicia is leading the way here, with a rate of only 92 cases per 100,000. Compare with other Solano cities in the chart, and note that the CDC reports today’s rate in California at 450 per 100,000.

  • Vallejo added 18 new cases today, total of 413.
  • Fairfield added 35 new cases today, total of 279.
  • Vacaville added 12 new cases today, total of 121 cases.
  • Suisun City added 2 new cases today, total of 58 cases.
  • Benicia remained at 25 cases.
  • Dixon is reported at 6 new cases today, total of 24 cases.
  • Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today both remain at <10 (less than 10).  The total numbers for other cities add up to 920, leaving 13 cases somewhere among the 2 locations in this “<10” category (one more than last reported).  Residents and city officials have pressured County officials for city case counts.  Today’s data is welcome, but remains incomplete for folks in Rio Vista and unincorporated areas of the County.

RACE / ETHNICITY

The Dashboard is reporting on race / ethnicity data for the first time, including case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics.  The first 3 of these boxes have a tab showing the rate per 100,000 for each race / ethnicity.

(PERSONAL NOTE: I ran out of time today, so you will need to go to the dashboard for details on Race/Ethnicity, Hospitalizations, Active Cases, Hospital Impact, and Testing.  More on these tomorrow.  Also, see Revealing comparison of two views of Solano County’s COVID-19 case chart – Feb 24 to June 19.)

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Revealing comparison of two views of Solano County’s COVID-19 case chart – Feb 24 to June 19

Coronavirus cases in Solano County are spiking!

By Roger Straw, June 22, 2020
[NOTE: Wouldn’t you know… while I was creating this post, Solano County posted today’s dashboard with a completely new design.  The new design lacks the old “Cumulative Number” chart I’m showing below.  They replaced it with a “Seven day moving average” chart, also very interesting.  The old charts are still VERY interesting and informative – read on, but note that you can no longer hover and click on this chart at the County dashboard….  – R.S.]

Here’s the “Cumulative Number” chart that shows every day on the Solano County COVID-19 Dashboard.  Looks pretty smooth.

Check out how this same chart looks if you click on the little “full screen button” to expand the x-axis to a more revealing proportion.  (Click either image above for a larger display.

Fullscreen

Better yet, go to the County Dashboard, hover over the chart and then click in the upper right corner of the chart on the little “full sreen button”.)

 

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Economy, Solano County CA, Unemployment

Solano jobless rate in May: a little better than April, much worse than 2019

A combine harvester makes its way through a wheat field in Suisun Valley, Friday, June 19, 2020. Solano County added 200 farm jobs in May, according to the state Employment Development Department. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

Unemployment drops in May; 20,000 fewer Solano jobs than 2019

Fairfield Daily Republic, By Todd R. Hansen, June 20, 2020

FAIRFIELD — Solano County is slowly waking up from a hard Covid-19 sleep as unemployment fell from 15.2% in April to 14.2% in May, the Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The number of local jobs climbed to 125,400, a gain of 1,800 over April’s figure, the Labor Market Division of the EDD reported.

However, compared to May 2019, there are 20,200 fewer local jobs, the EDD reported.

One of the more promising figures was that construction added 1,000 jobs since April, now 12,400, though it is down 400 jobs compared to May 2019.

Restaurants also added 1,000 positions, to 8,000. The farm sector added 200 jobs, to 1,500.

The harder reality is being felt in retail, which dropped another 200 jobs to 14,000, the EDD reported.

The civilian labor force in Solano County was reported at 199,800, down from April’s total of 201,500. However, the number of residents employed went up 200 to 171,300, the EDD reported.

The number of residents seeking unemployment benefits in May was 28,400, which is 2,000 fewer than in April.

The state unemployment rate in May was 15.9%, down from 16.2% in April. The rate in May 2019 was 3.6%.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 13%, down from 14.4%. The jobless rate in May 2019 was 3.4%.

Unemployment numbers in Solano County, the state and across the nation saw these improvements as counties across the country began to lift business closures put in place in March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Those businesses in Solano County that reopen must maintain health, safety, sanitation and social-distancing protocols designed to slow the spread of the virus. Residents must also comply with an order this week from the governor to wear face coverings in public spaces, businesses and offices – both indoors and outdoors – based on criteria established by the state. Continue reading Solano jobless rate in May: a little better than April, much worse than 2019 →

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

49 new coronavirus cases in Solano County, including 6 youths

Friday, June 19: 49 new positive cases, no new deaths. Total 860 cases, 23 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 hover your mouse over the charts at right for detailed information.

Previous report, Thursday, June 18

The County does not archive its dashboard.  Archives here: BenIndy’s Daily Count Archive.

Summary

  • Solano County reported 49 new positive cases today, total of 860 cases.
  • No new deaths today, total of 23, and no new hospitalizations, total of 98.
  • Solano reported 29 additional ACTIVE cases today, total 176.
  • Testing – Solano county reported 1,112 residents were tested since yesterday.  (Somewhat strange that NO new tests were reported yesterday – I’m guessing that 1,112 is a 2-day count.)
  • Youth – 6 new cases today among the 17 and under age group, total 63.  There have been 58 new cases among Solano youth in the last 5 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior. (More on Solano youth data below.)


BY AGE GROUP

  • 6 new cases today among those 17 and under, total of 63 cases, including one hospitalization. A week ago, there were only 39 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 2 dozen new cases in a week!  Our concern is reaching the alarm stage: there have been 52 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 5 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior!  Cases among Solano youth have increased in recent weeks to 7.3% of the 860 total confirmed cases.  According to the SF Chronicle, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the figure of coronavirus-infected kids younger than 18 at around 4% of those with the disease.”  We are nearly double the national rate!
  • 32 new cases today among persons 18-49 years of age, total of 452 cases.  The County adjusted its count of hospitalizations among this group, reporting 1 fewer hospitalization today.  No new deaths.  Total of 26 hospitalized at one time and 2 deaths.  This age group now represents 52.6% of the 860 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.   26 of the 452 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 5.8% of total cases in the age group.
  • 8 new cases among persons 50-64 years of age, total of 194 cases.  No new hospitalizations, no new deaths, total of 31 hospitalized at one time and 3 deaths.  This age group represents 22.6% of the 860 total cases.   31 of the 194 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 16% of total cases in the age group.
  • 3 new cases among persons 65 years or older, total 151 cases, including no new hospitalizations and no new deaths, total of 39 hospitalized at one time and 18 deaths.  This age group represents 17.6% of the 860 total cases.  39 of the 151 cases in this age group, 25.8% were hospitalized at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  And… this group counts for 18 of the 23 deaths, or 78%.

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added 17 new cases today, total of 395.
  • Fairfield added 18 new cases today, total of 244.
  • Vacaville added 9 new cases today, total of 109 cases.
  • Suisun City added 5 new cases today, total of 56 cases.
  • Benicia remained at 25 cases.
  • Dixon is reported at 1 fewer case today (??), total of 18 cases.
  • Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today both remain at <10 (less than 10).  The total numbers for other cities add up to 747, leaving 13 cases somewhere among the 2 locations in this “<10” category (one more than last reported).  Residents and city officials have pressured County officials for city case counts.  Today’s data is welcome, but still incomplete.

TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS:  98 of Solano’s 860 cases resulted in hospitalizations since the outbreak started, same as yesterday.  Cumulative hospitalizations is a most important stat to watch.  On May 1 there were 51 hospitalizations, and the daily increase was relatively steady, adding 2 or less each day.  But on May 22, the County reported 4 new hospitalizations, 9 more on May 29, and 3 more on June 2.  We are mostly back to 1 or 2 a day lately or even remaining steady.  We need to keep our eyes on these numbers.

ACTIVE CASES:  176 of the 860 cases are currently active, an increase of 29 over yesterday’s total.  Again, this is a something of a mystery to me, given that the County is reporting 49 NEW cases today.  49 NEW cases but only 29 additional ACTIVE cases?  I’m sure there’s an explanation, but….  Note that active cases had been trending lower until a steep increase last week and a huge jump this week.  (See Solano Health Officer’s explanation for yesterday’s spike.)  We were at 72 active cases on May 28; down to 42 on June 8, and bouncing back up to 88 on Friday June 12.  Now we’ve seen a 3-day jump to 176….  Below you will see that only 13 of the active cases are currently hospitalized, which leaves 163 of these 176 active cases out in our communities somewhere, and hopefully quarantined.

HOSPITAL IMPACT: The County shows 13 of the 98 hospitalized cases are CURRENTLY hospitalized, same as yesterday.  This is perhaps the most important stat to monitor – keep watching this one.  The County’s count of ICU beds available and ventilator supply remains at “GOOD” at 31-100%. (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.)
TESTING: The County reports that 19,474 residents have been tested as of today, an increase of 1,112 residents tested since yesterday.  Yesterday’s increase was reportedly zero – maybe today’s number is actually a 2-day total?  Testing has increased by a large degree over the last 2 weeks, and will continue to be a very important way of limiting and tracking outbreaks – please go get a test if you can!  Testing sites in Vallejo and Vacaville are open to anyone – see locations below.  We still have a long way to go: only 3.1% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
Vacaville – 1681 E Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville, CA 95688 (entrance at the end of Nut Tree Road)
Vallejo – 1121 Whitney Ave, Vallejo, CA (North Vallejo Community Center)

Solano’s curve – sharp upturn in cumulative cases as of June 19

This chart shows the infection’s steady upward trajectory in Solano County with a sudden jump this week.  Our nursing homes, long-term care facilities and jails bear watching, and social distancing is still incredibly important: everyone stay home if you don’t need to go out, wear masks when you do go out (especially in enclosed spaces), wash hands, and be safe!