Riverside County Thursday reported 106 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and no additional deaths, along with a slight drop in virus-related hospitalizations.
The aggregate number of COVID-19 cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in March 2020 is 301,284, according to the Riverside University Health System, which reported 4,617 confirmed deaths.
There were 32 people countywide hospitalized with coronavirus as of Thursday, two fewer than the day before. That number includes six ICU patients — one more than the day before.
The number of known active virus cases countywide was 776, down 16 from Wednesday. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 301,284 — according to the county Executive Office. Verified patient recoveries countywide are 295,891.
According to RUHS, the county’s COVID positivity rate is 1.2%, compared to 1.3% last week, and the state-adjusted case rate is 1.6 per 100,000 residents, based on a rolling seven-day average, compared to 2 per 100,000 last week.
The California Department of Public Health has drafted new guidelines that are set to take effect on June 15, when the governor’s statewide tier assignment system under the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” framework is slated to end.
Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said Tuesday that, with removal of the tiers, the COVID data updates during board meetings will likely no longer be necessary. Instead, the focus will turn to ongoing efforts to promote private sector recovery in the post-lockdown era.
The county entered the orange tier eight weeks ago, removing some operational barriers for private and public entities. The county had been in the red tier since March 16, after five months in the most restrictive purple tier.
Most distancing and capacity limitations will be rescinded next week, with a few restrictions continuing for “mega events,” defined as indoor concerts with 5,000 or more people, and outdoor gatherings with 10,000 or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, officials said.
More than 2 million SARS-Cov-2 vaccinations have been administered countywide since December.
The county began offering immunization services to homebound individuals three weeks ago. Officials estimate roughly 3,000 residents might need the service, which is free. Anyone who wishes to make an appointment for a home visitation was asked to use the web portal myturn.ca.gov/, or call 833-422-4255.
People 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.