San Diego County Reports 610 New COVID-19 Cases, 4 Deaths On Vaccine Anniversary

San Diego CA

15 December, 2021

1:48 PM

Description

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego December 14, 2021 On the anniversary of San Diego County receiving its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, the county Health and Human Services Agency Tuesday reported 610 new viral infections and four deaths. Tuesday marks one year since the county received its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccinations and the first doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine were administered. Since Dec. 14, 2020, more than 5.86 million doses of the three vaccines now available have been administered throughout the region. Initially, county vaccination sites and medical providers began vaccinating the more than 620,000 health care professionals who became eligible first. As of Monday, close to 2.72 million San Diego County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, more than 86% of all eligible residents. More than 2.41 million San Diegans, or close to 77% of eligible residents, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, more than 528,000 booster shots have been administered in the region. "San Diego has some of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the nation and our impressive numbers are a testament to the efforts of our community partners, as well as our residents' commitment to put this pandemic behind us," said Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, county public health officer. "COVID vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness and deaths and I urge anyone who has not gotten vaccinated, or is overdue for their booster, to get vaccinated now." The new data increases the county's cumulative totals to 395,071 cases and 4,393 deaths since the pandemic began. The number of coronavirus patients in San Diego County hospitals increased by 24 people to 354, according to Tuesday's data. Of those patients, 95 were in intensive care as of Monday, four more than Monday. A total of 15,500 new tests were reported to the county on Tuesday. A total of 3.9% of all tests returned positive over the past week. Beginning Wednesday, San Diego County residents will have to mask up again when they enter indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. The state issued the mandate, citing a rise in infection rates since Thanksgiving. It will remain in place until Jan. 15. 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.