Seven Merced County workplace locations removed from coronavirus outbreaks list
With the confirmation of one additional novel coravirus-caused fatality of a Merced County resident, the local death toll since the pandemic’s start rose to 134 on Friday, according to County Public Health.
The most recently deceased resident was a male with underlying health conditions between the ages of 50-64, County Public Health reported.
Also on Friday, seven formerly active workplace outbreaks were struck from the county’s running list.
With the removal of El Portal Cancer Center, Hilmar Cheese Company, McLane Pacific, Merced Behavioral Health Center, Minturn Nut Company, Hy-Lond Health Care Merced and the Merced County Human Services Agency, current outbreaks dropped to 12.
Outbreaks are closed when there are no additional laboratory confirmed cases at the facility for two weeks.
Outbreaks still listed as active are: U.S. Penitentiary Atwater, Dole Atwater, Walmart Supercenter in Atwater, Foster Farms Livingston Complex, Franciscan, Hilmar Christian Children’s Center, La Sierra Care Center, Liberty Packing, Merced County John Latorraca Jail, Merced County Main Jail, Park Merced and Hampshire Retirement Community.
The ninth death in connection to the widespread outbreak at Foster Farms in Livingston was confirmed by County Public Health on Thursday.
New laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases in Merced County numbered 31 on Friday. The additional infections raised the local tally since the first local case was confirmed to 8,750.
Of those cases, 548 are presumed to be active — a significant decrease from Thursday, when active cases numbered 597.
The active case count is an estimate, however, based on the total number of laboratory confirmed new cases within the last two weeks. One week ago, cases presumed active came to 727.
While an estimate, the shrinking active case count reflects the generally declining state of coronavirus data in Merced County recently.
For example, the percentage of residents screened for COVID-19 over the last week has recently fallen to a rate below the crucial maximum threshold for beginning to reopen the local economy. On Friday, the testing positivity rate rose slightly to 4.7%, but still remained below the state-defined maximum of 8%.
While the county must first meet several other state-mandated requirements before reopening, the shift marks a significant landmark.
Active hospitalizations of Merced County residents due to COVID-19 also decreased on Friday by one patient to 60. Ten patients are being looked after within the county, while the majority are cared for at outside facilities.
The total number of residents ever hospitalized on account of severe COVID-19 cases, however, rose from 671 to 676.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:11 PM.
