Riverside County Coronavirus Update For New Year's Eve

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County COVID-19 hospitalizations edged down slightly on Thursday, but the death toll climbed.

COVID-19 hospitalizations countywide were at 1,464, down by 20 since Wednesday, according to Riverside University Health System-Public Health. Of the total hospitalizations, 296 patients were in ICU, a decrease of one since Wednesday.

Staffing and ICU capacity continue to be concerns countywide, and hospitals have resorted to surge plans to expand critical care space wherever possible.

The 11-county Southern California region's available ICU capacity is officially at 0 percent.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the county stood at 1,985 Thursday, up by 34 people since Wednesday's RUHS reporting.

The total number of coronavirus cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March was at 180,553 Thursday, compared to 180,537 on Wednesday, according to the RUHS data.

Thursday's case total was "severely under-reported" stemming from technical problems attributed to technical issues with the state data-collection system.

"We are working to correct the issue, and the correct figures will be reported as soon as the issue is resolved," Jose Arballo, a spokesman for the Riverside University Health System, told City News Service.

Additional information about the nature of the error was not provided, but some other counties, including Orange, reported similar issues with data from the state.

More than two-thirds of Riverside County's total cases are considered recovered.

A stay-at-home order is in effect, which asks people not to gather, and mandates closure of bars, theaters, museums, hair salons, indoor recreational facilities, amusement parks and wineries. Restaurants are confined to takeout and delivery, with capacity limitations on retail outlets. Houses of worship are prohibited from holding indoor in-person services.

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