COVID-positive hospitalizations in Riverside County bumped up slightly Monday, but no additional virus-related deaths were reported.
According to the Riverside University Health System, the number of COVID-positive patients countywide was 40 as of Monday, compared to 37 on Friday, and that number includes seven intensive care unit patients, three more than the end of last week.
No data was reported over the weekend.
RUHS said the aggregate number of COVID cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in March 2020 is 301,668, up 65 from Friday.
A total 4,627 deaths from virus-related complications have been recorded in the last 15 months.
The number of known active virus cases countywide is 674, down 78 from last week. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 301,668 — according to the county Executive Office. Verified patient recoveries countywide are 296,367.
The estimated COVID positivity rate is 1.1 %, compared to 1.2 % two weeks ago, and the state-adjusted case rate stands at 1.5 per 100,000 residents, based on a rolling seven-day average, compared to 1.6 per 100,000 two weeks ago.
Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel last Tuesday ended in-person COVID updates by health officials in recognition of the end of the governor’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” tier system, which was put in place last August, replacing a phased reopening approach that the governor announced in April 2020.
The lifting of public health restrictions meant mask mandates are no longer universal but continue to apply in some settings, including on public buses, in schools and in hospitals, according to RUHS.
Most distancing and capacity limitations have also been rescinded, with a few restrictions continuing for “mega events,” defined as indoor concerts with 5,000 or more people, and outdoor gatherings with 10,000 or more attendees.
According to RUHS, about 52% of all county residents have either been fully or partially vaccinated.
Homebound people with infirmities can make an appointment for vaccination via the web portal myturn.ca.gov/, or by calling 833-422-4255. Residents who are not homebound must continue to use the county website to make an appointment: www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Or they may call the county’s 211 help line.