The overall number of patients hospitalized with a coronavirus infection in Riverside County fell 23% this week, the third straight week of a documented double-digit percentage drop, according to the Riverside University Health System.
A week-to-week comparison of data showed COVID-19 hospitalizations countywide totaled 127, compared to 165 previously. There were 22 patients under intensive care, compared to 18 at the end of last week.
One month ago, 236 people were hospitalized throughout the county with a COVID infection, 27 of whom were ICU patients.
According to RUHS, the total number of deaths from likely virus-related complications over the last 34 months stands at 6,788 — the same figure reported a week ago.
RUHS figures showed that among those who died while hospitalized with a COVID diagnosis in December, 42% had received the full SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic. In November, 37% of those who died while hospitalized with an infection had received the complete injection regimen, while in October, it was 36%.
The total number of fatalities in December was 57, the highest since February. In November, the revised figure was 41, and in October, 14, according to RUHS.
The deaths weren’t classified as stemming directly from an infection, co-morbidities, or possible adverse reactions to the vaccines.
Health officials said that the aggregate number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in March 2020 is 728,514.