San Diego County Reports 939 New COVID-19 Cases, 16 Deaths

San Diego CA

17 February, 2022

5:36 PM

Description

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego February 17, 2022 San Diego County reported 939 new COVID-19 cases and 16 additional virus-related deaths Wednesday, while health officials reminded county residents to get boosted. According to the county Health and Human Services Agency, 1,616 hospitalizations were reported during the 30-day period between Jan. 4 and Feb. 2. Of those, 201, or 12.4%, were fully vaccinated and had received a booster shot. "COVID-19 vaccine additional doses and boosters offer protection against the Omicron variant, prevent serious illness in most people and keep people out of the hospital," said Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, county public health officer. "San Diegans should get all the recommended vaccine doses as soon as they are eligible." A total of 1,131,912 — or 53.7% — of San Diego County residents who are fully vaccinated have received a booster shot, according to the HHSA. Boosters are available for everyone 12 years and older. An additional shot is recommended for people ages 5 and up who are moderately and severely immunocompromised. Wednesday's data brought San Diego County's cumulative totals to 728,287 infections and 4,947 deaths, with a total of 688 COVID-positive patients hospitalized — a decrease of 36 from Tuesday. The number of those patients in intensive care decreased by four to 131 Wednesday, according to the latest state data. Available ICU beds decreased by one to 187. San Diego County's case rate per 100,000 residents is 73.4 for people fully vaccinated and boosted, 106.1 for fully vaccinated people and 189.5 for not fully vaccinated San Diegans. 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.