Nearly 1,000 more coronavirus infections were added to Riverside County’s patient count over the weekend, and 13 more deaths were attributed to virus complications, as the governor Monday implemented additional private sector closures amid rising hospitalizations.
The overall COVID-19 count countywide stood at 25,748 Monday, compared to 24,765 on Friday, a difference of 983, according to the Riverside University Health System. The documentation period for the data stretches back to early March.
The number of deaths reported to be tied to the virus was 550, compared to 537 on Friday, RUHS officials said.
The known active COVID-19 case count is 15,487, up 626 from the end of last week, figures showed. According to the county Executive Office, the active case count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current cumulative total — 25,748.
The number of confirmed patient recoveries is 9,711, officials said. The county defines a recovery as someone who has not exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms for at least 14 days.
There are 511 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in medical facilities countywide, down 15 from Friday, including 139 patients in intensive care units.
The seven-day average positivity rate — the daily percentage of people who are tested and turn out to be positive for the virus — is just under 16% in the county.
Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barton told the Board of Supervisors last week that of the county’s 17 hospitals, six are operating at maximum capacity. But they are “not overwhelmed” because all of the medical facilities are able to add spare cushion on short notice, exceeding licensed capacities by 30% if necessary, as happened during the 2017 flu outbreak, he said.
Ratcheting up restrictions he put in place two weeks ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced an executive order directing that indoor activity in gyms, hair salons, houses of worship, malls and non-critical offices be stopped.
The order affects all 30 counties on the state’s pandemic monitoring list — including Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
“This virus is not going away anytime soon,” the governor said. “We’re seeing an increase in the spread of the virus.”
The state has documented record numbers of infections in recent days, along with increasing hospitalizations. As of Monday, Newsom said 6,485 were hospitalized across the state due to the coronavirus. A total of 7,017 deaths statewide have been attributed to the virus, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that, nationwide, the death rate from complications associated with COVID-19 and influenza declined 6.9% in the first week of July — the latest period for which CDC data are available.
On July 1, Newsom implemented a ban on indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, family entertainment centers, cardrooms, theaters and museums in what he termed a precautionary move to address the “particularly concerning” spike in infections in counties on the state’s “watch list,” including Riverside County. Newsom expanded those restrictions statewide Monday.
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