There are now 101 patients battling COVID-19 in the seven hospitals in San Joaquin County.
That is almost five times higher than it was three weeks ago.
Deaths now stand at 52 as of 12:45 p.m. Friday. That is an increase of three deaths in 24 hours.
Even with the jump in deaths the fatality rate for San Joaquin County remains at 1.7 percent.
Part of that has to do with cases going up with recoveries actually increasing faster than new cases.
Based on the San Joaquin County Health Department website’s COVID-19 dashboard, there were 1,396 people with COVID-19 on Friday, down 19 from Wednesday. There are 760,000 county residents.
COVID-19 is deadlier on a percentage basis to population for Asians in San Joaquin County than any other ethnic group. Asians constitute 14.9% of the population, 6.8% of the cases and 25 percent of the deaths.
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders represent 0.5% of the population, 0.6% of the cases, and 1.9 % of the deaths. Blacks have the third highest death rate percentage wise as they are 6.6% of the population, 3.4% of the cases, and 7.7% of the deaths.
The group that the virus is the fourth deadliest for are Whites. They are 32.7% of the population, 12.2% of cases, and 32.7% of the deaths.
Hispanics/Latinos account for 41.1% of the population, 43.9% of cases, and 30.8% of the deaths.
On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom pointed to rising hospitalizations and the increase in cases to again hammer home the need to follow the state mandate regarding the wearing of face masks as well as following social distancing protocols.
San Joaquin County is among a number of counties where COVID-19 is spiking. While there is debate about the positive numbers including those who have tested positive and may not be — or may get — sick from the coronavirus, the number that can’t be disputed as a barometer are hospitalizations.
The increase of those in a hospital at any given time gives credence to experts that say the wearing of face masks rates as one of the most effective ways to slow down the spread of the virus. While they aren’t necessarily effective for the wearer not catching COVID-19 they are effective at preventing the wearer from spreading the virus.
While people that fall ill with COVID-19 can transmit the disease long before they show symptoms, research shows many more people have the virus and — although they may never get sick — can pass it on.
Under the state mandate, you should wear masks:
-- Inside or in line to enter indoor public spaces.
-- In hospitals, pharmacies, medical clinics or other healthcare offices.
-- While waiting for and riding public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Drivers should also wear masks.
-- In work places that require interacting with the public, where food is prepared, packaged or delivered, or when sharing common spaces such as elevators and hallways.
-- In office settings where people cannot physically distance.
— While outside if it's not possible to stay six feet away from others.
The following people are exempt from wearing masks:
— Children age 2 and younger.
-- People with medical, mental health or developmental issues that prevent it.
-- People who are deaf or have hearing loss and those who communicate with them if seeing someone's mouth is essential.
-- Workers who would violate workplace safety rules by wearing one.
-- People eating and drinking at restaurants.
-- People swimming, walking, hiking, biking, running or doing other outdoor activity where they can stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others.
-- People in jails and prisons.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
