Fresno County’s COVID-19 infection rate is at 1% — but health officials say it’s likely higher
Fresno County reached a few unfortunate coronavirus milestones this week: 1% of the population has tested positive for COVID-19, and 1% of those infected have died.
While the percentages may seem small, they translate to over 11,000 cases and 100 deaths in a county with roughly 1 million people.
“That 1% is a significant milestone. And it’s not showing any signs of letting up, which is giving us great concern,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s Interim health officer, in a Zoom media briefing on Wednesday.
Plus, the number of positive cases is likely an undercount, he said. That’s due to a shortage in testing and many other factors.
“We need everyone — all hands on deck — in terms of trying to get a grip on this pandemic as it works its way through our population,” Vohra said.
The high number of cases also is affecting hospitals. The county’s hospital intensive care unit availability is hovering below 20%, and with a high number of coronavirus patients taking up beds, hospitals have limited space to treat patients with other ailments.
County officials are standing at the ready to open up the field hospital at Fresno Convention Center.
“Hospitals seem to be sustaining at this level, but I think that’s temporary,” said Dan Lynch, the county’s EMS director. “I think at some point, it’s going to be inevitable, and we will open up that alternate care site.”
Vohra urged wearing masks and practicing social distancing as a way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“This is really a team effort. We’re all in this together, and we really need everyone to be on that message. So please support each other, continue to be civil, continue to be patient,” he said. “But right now, there’s really not a moment to lose. Every single minute counts against this pandemic. We all really need to be mindful of all of the steps that we’re taking to help us get through this pandemic as soon as possible.”