Largest Single-Day Jump In Coronavirus Deaths: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County's death toll due to coronavirus jumped Monday to 141, an increase of 23 people — the largest single-day climb, according to county spokesperson Brooke Federico.

On Sunday, the county's death toll stood at 118.

Monday's uptick was high, but the 23 fatalities occurred as far back as April 21, according to Riverside University Health System spokesperson Jose Arballo."On Monday we usually have our largest numbers," Arballo told City News Service. "We're catching up from the weekend, and other parts of the prior week, as well."

As of Monday, 3,643 Riverside County residents have tested positive for the virus, with 43,518 tests conducted. The number of recovered patients stands at 1,245, although 215 people are currently hospitalized with the illness — 75 of them in intensive care units.

As of Friday, 83 Riverside County residents age 65 or older had died from COVID-19 complications. The ages of the 29 people who died over the weekend (including the 23 reported Monday) are not immediately known.

The stark increase in deaths came as the county also announced there are more than 650 confirmed coronavirus cases among patients and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the county. Cases at these centers comprise about 18 percent of the county's total COVID-19 caseload.

Health officials have said rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes present a challenge during the pandemic due to the age and health conditions of residents, as well as their close proximity to each other.

“We have known since the beginning of this response that congregate care facilities would provide one of the biggest challenges,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside County public health.

Out of the 650 COVID-19 cases at these facilities, 211 staff members have tested positive. Approximately 1,200 patients have been tested, according to Federico.

Below is a list of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in Riverside County with the bulk of confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Community Care and Rehabilitation Center, Riverside

Patients – 87
Staff – 48

Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Riverside

Patients – 49
Staff – 26

Highland Springs Care Center, Beaumont

Patients – 47
Staff – 20

Extended Care Hospital of Riverside

Patients – 38
Staff – 32

Manor Care Health Services, Hemet

Patients – 37
Staff – 42

Cypress Gardens Care Center, Riverside

Patients – 31
Staff – 15

Ramona Rehabilitation and Post Acute Care Center, Hemet

Patients – 22
Staff – 11

Valencia Gardens Health Care Center, Riverside

Patients – 19
Staff – fewer than 11

The Palms at La Quinta

Patients – 13
Staff – 0

Raincross at Riverside

Patients – 12
Staff – fewer than 11

Renaissance Village Rancho Belago, Moreno Valley

Patients – fewer than 11
Staff – fewer than 11

Rancho Belago Residential Care, Moreno Valley

Patients – fewer than 11 (These patients were transferred from Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center)
Staff – 0

In an effort to support staff at care facilities, the county has sent out four teams of outreach personnel to help with education, proper and sufficient PPE, and some staffing when appropriate, according to the county.

As of Sunday, the teams had visited 144 facilities, and done follow up visits with 10, according to the county.

County and local officials are concerned that some elderly residents are afraid to go out and buy food amid coronavirus. On Monday the county reiterated that its Office of Aging can help residents ages 60 and older. Call 800-510-2020 if you or someone you know needs food during this time.

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