Riverside County COVID-19 Cases Keep Rising Into Holiday Weekend

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The number of known active coronavirus cases throughout Riverside County climbed by 560, and the number of deaths connected to the virus increased by 14, Riverside University Health System officials said Friday.

According to RUHS, the confirmed active case count widened to 10,619, while the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 complications stands at 479.

The documentation period covers early March to the present. In that time, a total 19,450 infections have been recorded by the county. On Wednesday, the aggregate figure was 18,720.

The active case count is derived by subtracting deaths and patient recoveries from the current total -- 19,450 -- according to the county Executive Office, which noted that the number of verified patient recoveries countywide is now 8,352. The county defines a recovery as someone who has not exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms for at least 14 days.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday implemented a ban on indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, family entertainment centers, cardrooms, theaters and museums in what he termed a precautionary move to address the "particularly concerning" spike in infections in 19 counties on the state's "watch list."

The new state mandate barring indoor activities at the venues is slated to last three weeks.

Bars countywide were ordered closed Monday by a new public health order. They had been allowed to reopen on June 12, after having previously been shut down as part of the governor's stay-at-home order issued March 19.

Health officials said there are higher COVID-19 exposure risks in bars. They also said recent demonstrations calling for law enforcement reform in Riverside County and elsewhere were likely additional hotbeds for viral contact.

According to Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari, the county's positivity rate for COVID-19 screening is running close to 12%, while the state's preferred benchmark is 8%.

Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barton told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the hospital bed usage rate countywide has been between 61% and 68% in recent days, while the intensive care bed usage has been between 95% and 99%. But Barton said most hospitals have the ability to quickly add bed space well beyond their licensed capacities.

The EMD director said only about one quarter of the ICU beds countywide were currently needed for COVID-19 patients. The latest data indicate 120 coronavirus patients currently require intensive care.

Riverside County was advancing into Stage 3 of the governor's four- stage public health de-regulation plan, but with COVID-19 cases spiking, and the renewed restrictions, that process is now on hold.

—City News Service

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know