The number of coronavirus patients in Riverside County hospitals has dropped by another 10 people to 69, according to the latest state figures.
That Saturday update comes two days after local health officials reported that the number of intensive care patients with a coronavirus infection in the county had bottomed out, falling to the lowest level of the year. A week-to-week comparison of data showed the COVID-19 ICU patient count at two as of Friday, compared to eight seven days ago, according to the Riverside University Health System. The count hadn’t been that low for all of 2022.
That total increased to five on Saturday, however.
According to the RUHS, the total number of deaths from likely virus-related complications over the last 31 months stands at 6,660. Last week, it was reported to be 6,659. The figure was 6,543 five weeks ago, after being revised down 1% as a result of a data reassessment by the California Department of Public Health, which is ongoing.
The RUHS released final data this week showing that among those who died while hospitalized with a COVID diagnosis in September, 47% were fully vaccinated with a SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic. That compares to 21% who died in August after being fully vaccinated.
The total number of fatalities in September was 15, with 24 in August. The deaths weren’t classified as stemming directly from an infection, co-morbidities, or possible adverse reactions to the vaccines.
October figures are slated to be released at the end of this month.
Health officials said the aggregate number of COVID cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in March 2020 is 699,360.
The county does not report COVID data on weekends.