After reporting a new single day record for cases Wednesday Shasta County reported 8 cases Thursday, but two more deaths were also reported. 16 people have died from COVID-19 and 759 have tested positive. All of the new patients reported symptoms. There are 71 active cases, and 5 people are hospitalized, 3 of them in intensive care. 198 people are quarantined due to possible exposure. The most recent available data in terms of case rate shows a jump from 1.4 to 2.2 daily cases per 100,000 residents, and the positivity rate increasing from 1.7 to 2.4 percent. Public health says the numbers are a seven-day average with a seven-day lag, so they cover September 8th through the 15th and don’t include the most recent surge in cases.
Shasta County Public Health says some of the increase in transmission is taking place among arriving college students. There’s also been an outbreak at a skilled nursing facility. A state public health database says Windsor Redding Care Center on Court Street has 36 Covid-positive residents, in addition to 8 staff members in an outbreak that started in late August.
There have been 43,535 negative tests in Shasta County. Same day appointments are available, and testing volume is one of the factors the state uses to determine how open a county can be. The best option can be found by going to shastaready.org and clicking on “get tested”.
Coronavirus has killed three more Butte County residents for a total of 43 deaths among their 2,744 cases. Tehama County has had 519 cases and 4 deaths. Trinity County has had 15 cases. Glenn County has had 571 cases and 3 deaths. Lassen County has had 99 cases in the community, in addition to 636 in the prison population. There have been 163 in Siskiyou County and 485 in Humboldt County with 6 deaths. Modoc County has now reported 25 cases.
As long as shasta county remains at the moderate “orange” level…
— Restaurants can have indoor dining at 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer. The same goes for churches and movie theaters.
— Gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools, wineries, bowling alleys and other entertainment centers can allow 25% capacity.
— bars and breweries that don’t serve food may only serve people outdoors
Shasta County’s nearly $22 million in Coronavirus aid will pay for a litany of services, including mental health, senior assistance, prevention of domestic violence and child abuse, as well as various assistance for the unemployed. Details can be found through a link at shastaready.org.
$3 Million worth of “Cares Act” funding will go toward grants of up to $10,000 for eligible non-profits and businesses with no more than 25 employees that have been harmed by the pandemic response. Applications are at reddingchamber.com/shastacountycaresgrant.
An order by Shasta County Public Health that healthcare workers receive flu inoculations is nothing new, despite an outpouring of protest by people resisting the mandate. The requirement has been in effect since 2013, with the allowable exemptions narrowing according to each facility’s particular policies. In every case, and particularly in the case of Redding hospitals and nursing facilities, those who claim exemption from vaccination must wear facial covering at all times while on the premises.