Essential, Service, Healthcare Workers Remain at Highest COVID Risk in Sonoma County

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As Sonoma County enters its first full week of at least three with new stay at home lockdown restrictions in place, county data show that those required to work through the pandemic continue to be at highest risk of contracting the coronavirus.

CASES AND POSITIVITY RATE

With 230 new virus cases reported on Monday, Sonoma County continues to pile up coronavirus infections at a rate double one month ago. The county reported today that the Sonoma County case rate per day per 100 thousand had soared to 33.9. At the same time the percentage of those testing positive continues to rise, now around 11 percent as reported on the state website. County figures put the positivity rate at a lower 7.2 percent.

These increasing numbers closely match the state’s soaring numbers. The case and test positivity rates are now more than double the figure from one month ago and the highest to date. (Images 1, 2 and 3)

(Images 1, 2 and 3)

SONOMA COUNTY CORONAVIRUS CASES

EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSMISSION DATA

And county employment data give a clear picture of who is contracting the virus. The largest percentage is among service employees, those who work restaurants, retail and hospitality and are typically in public facing jobs. Here the the current breakdown of total cases in various employment categories as reported by Sonoma County, and the percentage that represents of total county cases so far reported.

TOTAL COVID CASES SONOMA COUNTY

Service and Sales 1333 19%

Not Currently Working 1151 16%

Unemployed 832 12%

Healthcare 681 9%

Construction 636 9%

Agriculture/Farm 582 8%

Importantly, service and sales has the highest number of cases due to the large number of people working in that sector. However, the percentage in a profession who were exposed and are believed to have contracted the coronavirus on the job is quite different. These numbers are largely determined through contact tracing and testing.

Looking at the figures this way, healthcare leads the list, followed by food production facility workers, public safety workers, and caregivers. Service workers trail these sectors at a 22% on the job transmission rate.

PROFESSIONS WITH HIGHEST TRANSMISSION ON THE JOB

Healthcare 49%

Food Production 38%

Public Safety 36%

Caregiving 36%

Agriculture 34%

Construction 23%

Service and Sales 22%

According to county figures, close contact represents half of all known cases in Sonoma County. (image 4)The stay at home orders now in place is meant to address this issue by making it harder for people to mix. However data also shows that those working and mixing with others outside the home continue to bring the virus back with them. About 42% of infections are reportedly occurring in the home, and coming from another household member.

HOSPITALIZATION DATA

Meanwhile, the most recent state data shows more than 70 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Sonoma County. (Image 5)

CALIFORNIA COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS

Across California, case rates continue to rise, while the positivity rate is climbing as hospitalizations and ICU usage continue to soar. (Images 6, 7 and 8)