Coronavirus updates: 11 people in Shasta County die of COVID-19

A COVID-19 outbreak in Shasta County is shutting down some classes and businesses, and limiting staff at government offices. Some offices moved services to online platforms and many schools are offering distance learning classes this week.

Last week, Shasta County Public Health tracked more COVID-19 cases in one day than it had on any day during the pandemic, although case numbers are likely much higher, the agency said. That's because most people don't report at-home rapid COVID-19 test results.

Scroll down for updates this week, Jan. 24-30, 2022. For updated case numbers and data as it becomes available scroll below updates.

Friday: 11 people in Shasta County die of COVID-19

Eleven people in Shasta County are the latest to die from COVID-19, Public Health reported Friday.

They were:

• A woman in her 40s

• A woman and a man in their 50s

• Two men in their 60s

• Two women and a man in their 70s

• Two women and a man age 90 or older

Their deaths pushed the total number of county residents known to have died of COVID-19 to 526. Shasta County Public Health reported 35 of those deaths in January.

Testing center limits hours next week

Public Health announced Friday it will reduce its COVID testing hours at the Boggs Building testing site on Breslauer Way due to Shasta County's special election.

The testing center will close at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, remain closed all day Tuesday and will reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Those who need a COVID-19 test can make an appointment at other testing sites. For options go to co.shasta.ca.us/ready/covid-19/get-tested or bit.ly/3Gf63ZE.

Thursday: N95 masks for wildfire smoke not best for COVID-19

People who bought N95 masks with valves to protect themselves from wildfire smoke or paint fumes should use a different N95 to protect others from COVID-19.

While an N95 with a valve is good for filtering air coming into a person's nose and mouth, it not as effective at filtering air going out, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The valve may allow contaminants to escape and reach others," the CDC said. "Because an exhalation valve can introduce unfiltered exhaled air into the surroundings, the CDC doesn't recommend it."

For more information on which N95 masks are best for COVID go to bit.ly/3KGpyOl.

Tuesday: 87 hospitalized in Shasta County

The number of patients who are in Shasta County hospitals with COVID-19 is on the rise again.

The hospital count stood at 87, with nine of those patients in the intensive care units, Shasta County Public Health reported on Tuesday.

During the delta variant surge in October, the hospitals cared for as many as 95 COVID-19 patients daily.

While considered more contagious than delta, the omicron variant tends not to make most people quite as sick, according to health experts. Most can recover at home, Public Health said.

‘We are finally turning a corner’: California appears to pass peak of omicron variant wave

A person with COVID-19 should call their doctor if they are:

• At risk for severe illness — to go over treatment options

• Their symptoms worsen

Call 911 and get medical attention immediately, Public Health warned, if a person with COVID-19 develops:

• Trouble breathing

• Bluish lips or face

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New symptoms of confusion or inability to rouse

• New feelings of numbness or tingling in the extremities

• Other serious symptoms

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Monday: 3 more die, 75 hospitalized in Shasta County

Three more people in Shasta County died of COVID-19, Public Health reported on Monday.

They were a man in his 40s, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 90s, according to the Health and Human Services Agency.

Including those three, Public Health has confirmed the deaths of 24 residents due to COVID-19 in January. All told, the pandemic has claimed the lives of 515 county residents.

Shasta County's COVID-19 outbreak is the highest it has ever been, the state reported Monday.

From Jan. 17 to Sunday, an average of 80 people were hospitalized daily with the virus.

Last week, Pubic Health tracked 2,081 new cases of the virus — 10.5 times those the CDC considers widespread outbreak, the state reported. That number doesn't include home test results not reported to the state.

Public Health asked that people take all available precautions to slow the spread of disease: Wear masks, keep a physical distance from others, wash hands frequently, stay home when sick, self-test and get vaccinated.

COVID-19 numbers in Shasta County

Here are case, hospitalization and other numbers reported by Shasta County Public Health branch on Friday. Data doesn't include results from at-home testing.

• New known cases: 380

• Total known cases: 27,745

• New deaths reported: 11

• Total deaths: 526

• Hospitalized: 89 — 11 in intensive care units

• Known active cases: 1,568

New cases by age group:

• Ages 0-12: 26

• Ages 13-19: 25

• Ages 20-29: 29

• Ages 30-39: 47

• Ages 40-49: 33

• Ages 50-59: 36

• Ages 60-69: 25

• Ages 70-79: 10

• Ages 80-89: 10

• Age 90 and older: 1

• Age not reported: 2

Deaths by age group covid
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COVID hospitalizations
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COVID cases/deaths by gender
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Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 11 people in Shasta County die of COVID-19