208 new Covid cases have been reported in Shasta County from Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a running total of 8,268. Five Covid deaths were reported from last Wednesday for a total of 78. An estimated 412 people have the virus right now, 40 of them hospitalized and 8 of them in intensive care. The regional ICU capacity has reduced slightly to 30%, still well above the 15% that would trigger the stay at home order already imposed on most of the state.
Butte County has reported 100 deaths among their 7,850 cases.
Tehama County has had 3,529 cases and 38 deaths.
Trinity County has had 282 cases and 4 deaths.
1,218 have been reported in Siskiyou County with 11 deaths.
Glenn County has had 1,539 cases and 16 deaths.
Humboldt County has had 1,910 cases and 22 deaths.
Lassen County has had 9 deaths among their 1,503 cases in the community and 2 deaths among the 3,342 cases in prison.
Modoc County has had 344 cases and one death.
The COVID-19 death toll in the United States has surpassed 350,000 as experts anticipate another surge in coronavirus cases and deaths stemming from holiday gatherings over Christmas and New Year’s. More than 20 million people in the country have been infected. California’s coronavirus death toll has topped 26,500 and confirmed cases have neared 2.4 million. There are more than 22,000 COVID-19 patients in California hospitals, including nearly 4,700 in intensive care units. Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley still have what is considered no ICU capacity and the state’s tightest coronavirus restrictions will continue longer there.
Shasta County is currently issuing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to health care workers, of which there are nearly 14,000 in the county. This week federal officials are inoculating staff and patients at long term care facilities, which account for about 12% of Covid cases but 63% of deaths. Other segments of the population will be vaccinated as supplies increase.
Local healthcare leaders are pleading with the public to slow the spread through the proven practices of staying home and away from other people as much as possible and wearing face coverings when going out.
The State of California has $500 Million worth of relief grant funding available for small businesses, with individual grants of up to $25,000 offered. Applications are now being accepted and they must be submitted by this Friday the 8th at careliefgrant.com. Help is available through shastaedc.org and the small business development center at 222-8323.
Covid testing is free and convenient with sites in Shasta Lake, Anderson, North Redding, Enterprise and Shasta College. Testing is by appointment only at lhi.care/covidtesting or visit shastaready.org.