The number of people under intensive care with a coronavirus infection in Riverside County bottomed out this week, falling to the lowest level of the year, according to the Riverside University Health System.
A week-to-week comparison of data showed the COVID-19 ICU patient count at two, compared to eight seven days ago.
The count hasn’t been that low for all of 2022, according to figures.
Overall hospitalizations countywide involving people with a confirmed infection totaled 79, compared to 70 last week, RUHS said.
Friday’s numbers were down slightly with 69 COVID-positive patients hospitalized with a slight uptick of five in intensive care, according to the latest state figures.
One month ago, 62 people were hospitalized throughout the county with a COVID infection, 11 of whom were ICU patients.
According to 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.
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, according to data.
The total number of fatalities in September was 15, and in August, 24.
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.