The number of people hospitalized with a coronavirus infection in Riverside County had decreased by three to 59, according to the latest state data.
Of those patients hospitalized as of Saturday, seven were being treated in intensive care, up from four as of Friday.
The statewide total of COVID hospitalizations rose by 51 patients as of Saturday to 1,390.
On Friday, Riverside University Health System officials said the aggregate number of COVID cases recorded in the county since the pandemic period began in March 2020 was 605,217 — an increase of 1,279 from a week earlier.
The RUHS said a total 6,527 deaths from virus-related complications have been recorded in the past 26 months, up from 6,512 the previous week. The fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can go back weeks, according to officials.
Health officials have said that the majority of people who die of COVID complications have underlying conditions, mainly hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
The number of known active virus cases in the county, based on available data, was 820 as of Friday, compared to 1,590 one week ago. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 602,444 – – according to the county Executive Office. Verified patient recoveries countywide are now 594,329.
The RUHS reports COVID data on Tuesdays and Fridays.