County Reports Record 79 COVID-19 Deaths, 2,847 New Cases Of Virus

San Diego CA

23 January, 2021

12:14 PM

Description

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego January 22, 2021 A record 79 COVID-19 deaths were reported by San Diego County public health officials Friday, along with 2,847 new COVID-19 cases and 437 positive intensive care patients. The previous record of 65 deaths was set on Wednesday, with 62 on New Year's Eve, the third-highest death toll. Friday marked the 53rd consecutive day with more than 1,000 cases. It is the 25th time in the past 30 days with more than 2,000 new cases of the virus and snaps a two-day streak of fewer than 2,000 cases. Despite more cases than Thursday, Friday's data continues a slight downward trend in the percentage of tests returning positive. A total 0f 49,562 tests were reported Monday and just 6% returned positive, bringing the county's 14-day rolling average from 12% on Thursday down to 10.7% Friday. The county's cumulative case total increased to 222,578 and the death toll is now at 2,301. Additionally, overall hospitalizations from the pandemic decreased to 1,618 while the number of patients in ICU beds is just one shy of a record 438 set Thursday. A record 1,804 hospitalized patients was set Jan. 12. A total of 36 staffed ICU beds remain in the county. Over the past 30 days, just a 10% increase in the number of hospitalizations have been recorded, with a 21% increase in patients in ICUs, according to the county's Health and Human Services Agency. The data showing a decline in cases and overall hospitalizations, but an increase in ICU patients and deaths might indicate a tapering down of a major wave of the pandemic. A median two-week period between infection and first symptoms along with additional time between symptoms and hospitalization, serious symptoms and death could mean these record numbers are from people who were initially infected around the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays. — City News Service contributed to this article Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.