Riverside County reports 806 new cases; hospitalizations and ICU numbers decrease
CASES IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
On Thursday, the county reported 806 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total up to 28,177.
Over 300,972 tests have been conducted so far. 10,271 people have recovered from coronavirus, an increase of 158 recoveries since Tuesday.
Download the News Channel 3 app to get the latest local coronavirus data and updates. The app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said on Tuesday that test results may be delayed by "a week or longer."
During Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said that the county's cases have been shifting to the younger demographic and that cases are rising in the 5 to 17 and 18 to 39 age groups.
Today, nearly half the cases were from the 18-49 age group.
- 5-17 - 1,828 cases
- 18-39 - 11,803 (Highest amount of cases in an age group)
Saruwatari also noted that the county's positivity rate is currently 20%, nearly three times the state's threshold of 8%.
The current trajectory has Riverside County reaching 29,809 cases by this Monday. The doubling rate, or the amount of days it takes to double the number of cases, currently stands at 24 days.
Dr. Kaiser advised residents not to gather with people you don't live with, warning that if the county doesn't reduce these kinds of high-risk transmissions, "then the state will step in and make us."
DEATHS
Riverside County also reported 8 additional coronavirus-related deaths today, bringing the total up to 585.
The Coachella Valley reported 2 of today's deaths. Palm Desert reported 1, (the city's fifth death of the week, and Coachella reported the other.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
On Tuesday, the county announced a federal team of active military medical personnel has been called in to support Eisenhower Health with its influx of coronavirus patients.
"The hospital is nearing capacity in our ICU and on our Covid-19 units," says Dr. Alan Williamson, the Chief Medical Officer of Eisenhower Health. "Currently, we only have three more 'staffed' beds available in the ICU. Additionally, we are approaching 80 percent of bed capacity within the hospital, but are at virtually 100 percent of our staffing capacity. We are grateful for the support from FEMA and its Air Force Medical response team. It comes at a critical time."
The county reported a decrease in hospitalized patients, with 17 fewer positive people admitted into the hospital today. The total number of patients hospitalized now stands at 531.
The number of patients admitted to the ICU for coronavirus also decreased today, with 7 fewer patients. The total currently stands at 134.
According to the Emergency Management Department, as of July 16, there are 4 inmates and 1 patients from Imperial County hospitalized in Riverside County.
Watch: News Channel 3's I-Team traveled to Imperial County to learn more about the county's surge in cases
UPDATE - 6:15 p.m.:
The latest update from the county was released Thursday evening.
The county is now reporting neonatal ICUs (NICUs) to report numbers along with adult licensed ICUs. There are currently 497 licensed beds.
Today's update shows the county is at 72% hospital bed usage with 79.3% of all ICU beds in use.
COACHELLA VALLEY NUMBERS
The city of Indio has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths. Indio has 2,061 cases and 46 deaths.
Cases in Coachella Valley cities & communities (As of 7/16/2020)
· Bermuda Dunes
Confirmed Cases: 71
Deaths: 1
· Cabazon
Confirmed Cases: 27
Deaths: 1
· Cathedral City
Confirmed Cases: 1,062
Deaths: 11
· Coachella
Confirmed Cases: 1,553
Deaths: 15
· Desert Edge
Confirmed Cases: 21
Deaths: 2
· Desert Hot Springs
Confirmed Cases: 497
Deaths: 6
· Desert Palms
Confirmed Cases: 32
Deaths: 2
· Garnet
Confirmed Cases: 95
Deaths: 0
· Indian Wells
Confirmed Cases: 26
Deaths: 1
· Indio
Confirmed Cases: 2,061
Deaths: 46
· La Quinta
Confirmed Cases: 456
Deaths: 14
· Mecca
Confirmed Cases: 235
Deaths: 6
· North Shore
Confirmed Cases: 82
Deaths: 1
· Oasis
Confirmed Cases: 175
Deaths: 1
· Palm Desert
Confirmed Cases: 620
Deaths: 36
· Palm Springs
Confirmed Cases: 535
Deaths: 19
· Rancho Mirage
Confirmed Cases: 151
Deaths: 12
· Sky Valley
Confirmed Cases: 20
Deaths: 0
· Thermal
Confirmed Cases: 99
Deaths: 0
· Thousand Palms
Confirmed Cases: 101
Deaths: 0
· County Jails
There are 260 cases in the County's jails, with 2 deaths, and 207 recoveries.· State Jails
There are 1,179 cases in the state's jails
NOTABLE HEADLINES
Governor Newsom expected to make announcement on the guidance for reopening schools, as well as provide an update on the state's response to the pandemic.
You can watch the announcement live at Noon on News Channel 3 and KESQ.com/Livestream-Events/.
Several sectors shut down indoor operations
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that counties on the state's monitoring list, which includes Riverside County, will have to shut down more indoor operations.
The list of sectors affected includes fitness centers, worship services, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, malls, and offices for non-critical sectors.
The order affects all 30 counties on the state's pandemic monitoring
list -- including Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
You can call the Centers for Disease Control with any questions at 211 and 800–CDC –INFO (800 – 232 – 4636).
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC.
If you want to be seen at Eisenhower Health, call their coronavirus hotline first at 760-837-8988 or 760-TEST988 with is open every day from 7 am to 7 pm. Avoid the spread of this illness.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
How to get tested
Remember, you can get tested even if you do not have symptoms. Testing was expanded to include all residents on April 17.
You are now able to get a free test at many Rite-Aids in the area. Click here for a full list of stores and to schedule your appointment.
