COVID Hospitalizations At 2-Month Low, Cases Drop Significantly

RIVERSIDE, CA — The aggregate number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Riverside County since the public health documentation period began in March 2020 stands at 285,414 with 3,524 deaths as of Friday from virus-related complications.

The Riverside University Health System does not provide updated coronavirus statistics on weekends. Health officials said there will be no news data releases until Tuesday due to the Presidents Day holiday.

On Friday, officials announced 47 new deaths and 600 new diagnosis. COVID-positive hospitalizations in Riverside County have dropped to a two-month low, with a commensurate fall in active cases.

According to RUHS, coronavirus hospitalizations countywide sank to 660 Friday, compared to 687 Thursday, and that includes 185 patients in intensive care units, a decline of nine in one day.

The last time hospitalizations were at the current level was on Dec. 6, RUHS said. Virus-related hospitalizations peaked near 1,700 on Jan. 10, according to county Emergency Management Director Bruce Barton.

The number of known active virus cases countywide was 35,509 as of Friday, down 2,221 compared to a day ago. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total -- 285,414 -- according to the county Executive Office. Verified patient recoveries countywide are now at 246,381.

Officials on Wednesday confirmed the county's first case of the COVID variant B.1.1.7, first discovered in the United Kingdom. Its local point of origin was not disclosed, and RUHS noted that while B.1.1.7 is more contagious, it doesn't carry a higher mortality risk than other strains.

Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that Blue Shield had reached an agreement with the California Department of Public Health to coordinate vaccine distribution efforts throughout the state, including Riverside County.

According to RUHS spokesman Dr. Geoffrey Leung, just over 200,000 residents have received the first round of doses. But there are ongoing concerns about completing the two-dose immunization process, and that has created anxiety among recipients, many of whom don't have a set timeline for when they can obtain their second dose, which is supposed to be within three to six weeks of the first one.

He said scheduling and notification improvements are in the works.

The county, in partnership with Curative Inc., opened its newest vaccination clinic at the Palm Springs Convention Center Sunday.

Vaccination of seniors is a priority, but others who qualify under the CDPH Phase 1 guidelines include hospital workers, first responders, teachers and some agricultural workers. The 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.

The overall countywide COVID-19 testing positivity rate is 14.4%, down from 16.6% last week, based on state-adjusted figures.

ICU availability countywide remains at 0%, along with the 11-county Southern California region.

The county is still in the most restrictive, purple tier of the governor's Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework, impacting bars, theaters, museums, indoor recreational facilities and wineries -- all of which are supposed to remain closed. However wineries, like restaurants, can provide outdoor dining, takeout and delivery.

—City News Service