Riverside County health officials have reported 45 newly confirmed COVID-19 fatalities, bringing the county’s coronavirus death toll to nearly 1,000.
The total number of coronavirus deaths recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March now stands at 972, according to the Riverside University Health System, which also reported another 1,262 infections on Monday, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 50,744.
The deaths reported Monday occurred between Aug. 3-20, with the exception of one fatality from July 16, according to Jose Arballo, a RUHS spokesman. RUHS does not release coronavirus data on weekends.
The number of known active virus cases countywide is 21,365, or 398 fewer than Friday. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 50,744 — according to the county Executive Office. The number of verified patient recoveries is 28,407
According to RUHS, 224 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 — down 28 from Friday. Hospitalizations include 82 patients in intensive care units.
One week ago, the number of hospitalizations was reported to be 296, with 90 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in ICU beds. A month ago, the figures were 523 and 159, respectively.
Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barton told the Board of Supervisors earlier this month that the county had “seen a downward trend in hospitalizations,” with the greatest number of coronavirus-related hospital admissions in District 4, which encompasses the Coachella Valley.
Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage has seen the heaviest demand for COVID-19 treatment, requiring a 19-person federal medical team to assist on-site staff, the EMD director said.
According to Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari, nearly two-thirds — 63% — of all deaths coded as COVID-19 have been correlated to underlying conditions, principally chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease.
The doubling time — or the number of days in which documented virus cases increase 100% — is 42 days. A doubling rate of seven days is reason for alarm, while expanding doubling times point to moderation, or gradual success in virus containment, according to health officials.