Sacramento County coronavirus cases jump to 164 with more testing; 6th death reported

The number of coronavirus cases in Sacramento County jumped Friday to 164, and a sixth person has died from infection, county health officials reported.

But officials immediately cautioned the fast-growing number is the more the result of a notable increase in testing over the past few days, not an indication that the virus has suddenly increased its rate of spread in the county.

“Although these numbers are unsettling, they are not surprising,” said Dr. Peter Beilenson, director of the Sacramento County Department of Health Services. “Together, using social distancing, we are reducing new cases today, which will stagger the rate of cases in the weeks to come.”

Officials declined to offer details about the sixth death from the virus in the county, other than saying the person was older and had underlying health issues prior to contracting the virus.

That new number of infections nevertheless represents a 45 percent increase in two days, an indication that Sacramento County residents will have to continue to be on guard for the virus for weeks, if not months, to come, county health officials said. That includes taking seriously the state and county orders to remain in homes as much as possible.

For the first time Friday, Sacramento County officials reported the age groups for infected persons, with an age range that runs from a 9-year-old to a 97-year-old.

▪ 0-17 years old: 3 infections

▪ 18-64 years old: 95 cases

▪ 65-year-old and older: 66 cases

Beilenson said the county still faces an upward curve of infections, possibly for the next six weeks, but he expressed believe late this week that the “physical distancing” is paying dividends.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that with the efforts of social distancing that seems to be making a difference,” he told The Bee on Thursday.

Beilenson last week ordered county residents to stay at home, essentially sheltering in place, unless they have essential outings they need to make, such as going to the grocery store. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a similar statewide order later that day

The goal, health officials say, is to limit the spread of the virus by limiting contact among residents. Beilenson and other health officials continue to say they believe that sheltering in place, limiting outings to stores, and diligently practicing 6-foot spacing in public remains the best defense against viral spread.

County officials decline to offer details about the six death cases, but said on their website that “individuals who died from complications of COVID-19 were either older than 70 or had underlying health conditions.”

The fifth death in the county, reported on Wednesday, is the first person of the five who was under age 70. That person, like the four previous, suffered from underlying health conditions prior to contracting the virus, Beilenson said.

Beilenson has repeatedly warned the number of cases will grow notably as more testing is done in the county. The health chief is among those who have been critical of the lack of testing capabilities since the international pandemic hit the county in late February, a failure that likely led to greater spread of the virus.

Testing has ratcheted up in the county in recent days, including a new public test site at Cal Expo operated by Verily.

Cases in the region ramp up

Yolo County officials on Friday morning reported two new cases in their county, bother people who recently traveled and are self-isolating at home. That brings the Yolo infection number to 13. One Yolo resident has died.

Placer has reported 30 cases. El Dorado County has reported nine cases.

Nearby Glenn and Colusa counties also reported the first cases there on Friday.

Statewide, the number of known positive cases was listed Thursday at 4,227. There have been 81 deaths.

Gov. Gavin Newsom this week said the state and its hospitals are rushing to prepare for a predicted spike or surge in the number of seriously ill people over the next few weeks.

The United States has now registered more coronavirus cases than any other country, more than , according to Johns Hopkins University Friday morning. That tops 82,000 in China, where the virus originated in December, and 81,000 in Italy.

The U.S. fatality numbers stood at 1,300. Italy has the most at more than 8,200. Spain has 4,900 and China 2,200 reported deaths.

The first of the six deaths in Sacramento County was a 90-plus year old woman female resident of an Elk Grove assisted living center who died two and one-half weeks ago, a death announced on March 10.

Since then, five others have died in the county. One was a Sacramento city substitute teacher, whose death was disclosed on March 16. Another, identified as Don Sperling, 85, died March 21. Sperling, who was identified by his pastor, was a former assistant city treasurer and attended the same church, Faith Presbyterian Church, as the schoolteacher.

The first case of the virus in Sacramento occurred on Feb. 19, slightly more than one month ago, when a seriously ill woman was transported from Solano County to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for treatment.

The Public Health Order issued last week directs that there should not be gatherings in any formal setting. To report a violation of the Public Health Officer Order, call 3-1-1. The county’s orders state:

• All bars, wineries and brew-pubs should be closed
• All in-dining at restaurants should cease (take out and home delivery with social distancing may continue)
• All gyms should be closed
• All bingo halls and card rooms should be closed

This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 11:33 AM.