One Year Ago Today (November 11, 2021)…The number of coronavirus patients hospitalized in Riverside County decreased, while 220 new cases were confirmed and 15 new virus-related deaths were reported in the latest data.
According to the Riverside University Health System, COVID-related hospitalizations countywide decreased to 237 on Wednesday, down from 240 on Tuesday. The number of those patients in intensive care was 57 on Wednesday, up from 56 the day before.
The cumulative number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in March 2020 stood at 368,931, up from 368,711 on Tuesday.
A total of 5,262 deaths from virus-related complications have been recorded in the county in roughly the past 20 months. The fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can date back a month or longer.
The number of known active virus cases countywide Wednesday was 3,648, down 515 from Tuesday. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 368,931 — according to the county’s Executive Office.
Verified patient recoveries countywide were 360,021.
RUHS clinics began administering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 on Saturday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently gave final approval for the shots. According to RUHS officials, the child vaccine is one-third the dose used for adults.
“The vaccine for children in this age group is so important as we continue to slow and stop the spread of the COVID virus, particularly since we have seen an increase in cases among this population,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County.
“Parents should be confident the vaccine for these children is safe and effective.”
Officials require that those under 18 be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get vaccinated.
To learn more about local clinics and to schedule an appointment, go to myturn.ca.gov.