Sentinel staff report–
The death toll attributed to COVID-19 has now risen to a total of 10 in Citrus Heights, according to county health data released this week.
Citrus Heights has seen a slowdown in the number of deaths reported since mid-May when three deaths were reported together, all of which officials said were related to a congregate care setting. Since then, there were no deaths reported in June, followed by one death in July, and one so far in August.
The new death comes as cases have spiked in Citrus Heights and Sacramento County over the past two months, along with increased testing. Cases surpassed the 400 mark this week in the city and exceeded 10,000 cases countywide — although officials say that number is “likely to be an underestimate” due to a technical issue recently identified at the state level.
About 44% of the cases in Citrus Heights have been reported in the 95621 zip code, with the majority of cases being reported in the 95610 zip code, which covers the eastern portion of the city.
Related: COVID-19 cases have tripled in Citrus Heights since June, while death rate dropped
More detailed statistics for Citrus Heights have not been made available by the Sacramento Public Health Department. Requests from The Sentinel for additional information have been declined, with officials citing patient privacy.
County data shows of the 155 coronavirus-related deaths in Sacramento County, more than half have been from residents age 80 and up. A total of 12 deaths have been reported for residents under the age of 50, with the remaining deaths ranging from those between age 50 and 79. About a third of the deaths, 52, have been tied to congregate facilities.
As of Aug. 5th, there are a total of 262 people in the hospital with COVID-19, and 87 cases involving ICU. Those number have dropped off slightly in the past week, but are still dramatically higher than in late May, when just two ICU beds were taken and nine hospitalizations involving patients with COVID-19 were reported.
There are currently 312 ICU beds taken, out of a total of 401 beds available countywide. Surge capacity beds are listed at 426 available, with none currently in use.
To see the latest county health data, visit: saccounty.net/COVID-19/
The Sentinel is making its essential coronavirus coverage available to all readers, with no subscription required. Please consider a digital subscription for just $3.99/mo. to support local news in Citrus Heights.