Riverside County COVID-19 Update: Reopenings, Cases, Vaccines

Temecula CA

18 March, 2021

9:54 PM

Description

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County Thursday reported 45 additional coronavirus-related deaths and 211 newly confirmed virus infections, while COVID-positive hospitalizations dropped slightly on the third day of the county's new public health tier status. There have been a total of 4,097 confirmed fatalities since the public health documentation period began in March 2020, according to the Riverside University Health System. Fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates. RUHS also reported 292,817 total cases. Patients in hospitals countywide diagnosed with coronavirus numbered 187 as of Thursday, three fewer than the day before. That number includes 37 COVID-positive intensive care unit patients, six fewer compared to the day before. The regulatory bar was lowered Tuesday when the county was moved into the red tier of the governor's Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework. The county had been in the most restrictive purple tier since October. "If we continue to work together, we can keep this momentum going," Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said. Under the red tier classification, indoor operations are permitted in restaurants and movie theaters, limited to 25% capacity, or 100 people, whichever is less. Museums, zoos and aquariums also have a green light for up to 25% capacity, while gyms and fitness centers have a 10% capacity cap. However, some have remained open in the county despite the state-imposed lockdowns.Retail stores and shopping malls are able to operate at 50% capacity, under the California Department of public Health guidelines. Public schools are also eligible to open for in-person instruction, provided they have established safety protocols in place. Many school districts have opted for hybrid models, with part in-class instruction and part remote learning. Read about all the reopenings here. The revised qualifier for red tier status is an average daily infection rate of 10 per 100,000 residents. In January, seven per 100,000 was the threshold. The county, which is at 6.1 per 100,000, had been in the red tier between mid-September and mid-October, but was downgraded by the CDPH based on rising infection rates and below-average testing. The county's coronavirus positivity rate dropped to 3.3% Tuesday, down from 4.1% last week — the lowest since early October. Beginning Monday, residents 16 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions, as well as most people with disabilities, became eligible for vaccinations, according to the CDPH. "Individuals with conditions are strongly encouraged to seek vaccination with a primary health care provider or system, or in an alternate clinical setting," the agency stated. "Check first with your usual health care provider." The county portal to make an appointment for vaccination can be accessed via www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Anyone who needs assistance may also call the county's 211 help line.