The COVID-19 death toll has topped 2,000 people since the pandemic started in March 2020.
In the past 15 days 24 more people have died from COVID to bring the death total to 2,018.
During that time period four people passed away in Manteca while Ripon and Lathrop each lost two people apiece.
Deaths since the start of the pandemic are now at 195 in Manteca, 35 in Lathrop, and 32 in Ripon.
New cases have been dropping off sharply. Since Monday 22 more people have tested positive in Manteca, 13 in Lathrop and 2 in Ripon.
That fits with narrative San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Park reported that COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions are on the decline. She noted that COVID-19 case rates are dramatically decreasing from 198.8 cases to 66 cases per 100,000 since Feb. 1.
Since March 2020 there have been 14,723 people or 1 out of every 6 Manteca residents that are known to have contracted COVID although not all have shown symptoms or have become ill. There have been 5,348 with COVID so far in Lathrop and 2,822 in Ripon.
In Manteca, 76.1 percent of the targeted population has been fully vaccinated while 12.5 percent are partially vaccinated.
Lathrop has a 92.1 vaccination rate while Ripon is at 67.4 percent.
There are currently 173 people with COVID being cared for in the seven hospitals within San Joaquin County. Of those patients, 35 are on ventilators.
“Based on our data, it is reasonable that we’re getting close to a point where state masking requirements can be relaxed,” Park said. “But we must remain vigilant on surveillance and continue to track data and conditions. We must ensure that any mask requirement decisions protect the health and well-being of students, employees and all residents. We must remain humble to the unpredictability of this virus.”
Park gave the Board an update on Public Health Services efforts to distribute COVID-19 tests and vaccines within high priority neighborhoods which resulted in 264 events and 4,500 plus vaccines given.
The SnapNurse mobile vaccine and testing van is out in the community five days a week to increase access to care and resources for most at-need populations. Since June of 2021, the van has appeared at 264 locations providing testing and more than 4,500 vaccinations. More information can be found at www.SJReady.org.
Greg Diederich, Health Care Services Director also provided an overview of the recent state mask mandate requirements that took effect Wednesday:
*Masks strongly recommended for public indoor (vaccinated).
*Masks are required for public indoor (unvaccinated), health care (vaccinated & unvaccinated), schools & childcare (vaccinated & unvaccinated), public transit (vaccinated & unvaccinated), long-term care (vaccinated & unvaccinated), as well as jobs & prisons (vaccinated & unvaccinated).
“Based on our data, it is reasonable that we’re getting close to a point where state masking requirements can be relaxed,” said San Joaquin County Public Health Officer, Dr. Maggie Park. “But we must remain vigilant on surveillance and continue to track data and conditions. We must ensure that any mask requirement decisions protect the health and well-being of students, employees and all residents. We must remain humble to the unpredictability of this virus.”
Residents are encouraged to check www.SJReady.org to find information about mask requirements as well as or www.MyTurn.ca.gov for information about testing and vaccine locations.
