Coronavirus updates: Sacramento region sees infection spike, businesses continue to reopen
As coronavirus cases rose again following easing of restrictions across California, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction — and even harder to know what precautionary steps to take to avoid contracting COVID-19.
Retired infectious disease epidemiologist Murray Cohen spoke with The Sacramento Bee to address some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the pandemic after an Ipsos poll found that many myths about the virus have gained traction across the globe.
For example, about half of Americans believe that the coronavirus can survive on a package shipped internationally, posing a possible threat of infection. But coronavirus cannot survive that long on a cardboard box.
Recent studies suggest that, even if a surface has the virus on it, it is unlikely that it could survive transfer from there, to your hand, and up to your eyes, nose or mouth.
The coronavirus can survive up to three days on a surface, or as little as a few hours, depending on the environment. Porous surfaces are less conducive to viral survival than metal or plastic.
Cohen said it’s not particularly productive to “look at something and say, ‘I wonder how long the virus could stay alive on that if it was there.’ Instead, if I think of it, it might be: ‘Let me be sure I wash my hands before I touch my face or eat anything after touching that product.’ ”
Coronavirus by the numbers
More than 7.7 million people worldwide have been infected with coronavirus, according to data maintained by Johns Hopkins University. Over 427,000 people have died of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, and 3.6 million patients have recovered after infection.
The United States accounts for about a quarter of all coronavirus cases, with just over 2 million in the country. More than 115,000 Americans have died due to the virus.
Brazil, which has been beleaguered by increasing infection rates in recent weeks as South America has become one of the leading centers of viral activity, is right on the heels of U.S. cases. There, 828,000 people have contracted COVID-19 and 41,000 people have died.
Russia has seen half a million cases, although officially reported deaths are much lower, at 6,800 so far.
India’s numbers are also rising, with nearly 309,000 cases and and 8,800 deaths.
New York state, however, has seen more infections than even the entire subcontinent. More than 382,000 people have been infected with coronavirus and 30,000 people have died.
California has seen 147,000 cases and just over 5,000 deaths as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins. Large surges in case numbers have been observed across the state as businesses begin to reopen after weeks of lockdown measures.
The Mercury News of San Jose reported that the state’s case total rose by 3,802 on Friday as 57 more deaths were added.
Los Angeles County accounts for almost half of all cases in California. It added 1,601 cases on Friday, according to the Mercury News. Health officials have reported 70,000 cases and 2,800 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
Sacramento County is also experiencing a spike in cases. As of Saturday, officials reported 1,716 cases and 63 deaths, adding 46 cases in two days. Infection rates were relatively low for most of April and May, but by early June, infections were reaching rates that were closer to those of early March, when the pandemic was ramping up across the globe. On June 2, 33 new infections were reported, the highest daily increase since April 13.
Yolo County saw a spike on Thursday, adding 15 new cases. It was the highest daily increase in the county since April 11. A total of 252 people, 4 more Saturday, have tested positive for coronavirus and 24 people have died. At least 17 of these deaths have been connected to an outbreak at Stollwood Convalescent Hospital in Woodland.
Placer County’s increase in coronavirus cases is actually surpassing the rates seen earlier in the pandemic. Health officials recorded the highest daily increase on June 4, when 19 new cases were added. Another 17 cases were added Friday and 14 more were added Saturday. So far, 358 people have been infected and nine have died, although seven patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 currently and one is being treated in an intensive care unit.
El Dorado County has maintained consistently low infection rates and is one of the few counties in California to have reported no deaths due to COVID-19. There, just 113 people have been infected, 54 of whom hail from the Lake Tahoe region. No coronavirus patients in the county are currently being hospitalized, and 91 have made recoveries.
Sutter County, which has also seen relatively low numbers, reported a spike of more than 10 percent on Friday. Health officials confirmed 9 new cases, bringing the county total to 78. Just two people have died there. In Yuba County, one new case was added Friday, bringing its total to 35 infections and one death.
Bars and gyms open for business. Nail salons, tattoo parlors are next
Despite these coronavirus spikes, the greater Sacramento area regained old freedoms Friday as bars, gyms and movie theaters officially reopened.
After nearly three months of closure, these businesses may operate once again, albeit with new coronavirus safety measures in place.
Bars, wineries and gyms will need to keep patrons spaced out, in the style of restaurants that have now been open for weeks. Movie theaters are restricted to 25 percent capacity.
Museums, art galleries and zoos are also allowed to reopen. The Sacramento Zoo is posed to reopen on Monday, and guests should expect social distancing measures there as well.
Next week, nail salons and tattoo parlors — which have been identified as places of higher potential for infection due to close contact — will be reopening. Salons will have face mask requirements in place.
Health officials have pointed to in-home gatherings as the main cause of increased coronavirus infections, not the increasing reopenings.
“We have found as businesses begin to open up, for some people there was a sense that things are OK now, and they began having gatherings in the home and birthday parties,” Dr. Olivia Kasirye said.
What is COVID-19? How is the coronavirus spread?
Coronavirus is spread through contact between people within 6 feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The CDC says it’s possible to catch the disease COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it, and then touching your own face, “but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Symptoms of the virus that causes COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which may occur two days to two weeks after exposure. Most develop only mild symptoms, but some people develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal. The disease is especially dangerous to the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
This story was originally published June 13, 2020 at 1:07 PM.
