Coronavirus In Riverside County: News, Updated Numbers

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As Riverside County awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's unveiling of a "Stage 2" reopening plan for the state, county health officials reported 218 newly confirmed coronavirus cases Wednesday, and two more fatalities, bringing countywide totals to 4,672 cases and 186 deaths.

Of the 207 county residents who are hospitalized with COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — 84 are being treated in intensive care units, nine more than Tuesday, according to the Riverside University Health System.

The number of documented recoveries is 2,025, up by 28 from Tuesday.

Riverside County has the second-highest number of confirmed cases and deaths in the state, behind Los Angeles County.

The updated figures came a day after the board of supervisors postponed taking any action on ending coronavirus-related restrictions imposed by the Riverside County public health officer. The board instead opted to wait until after Newsom announces how the state plans to proceed with limited reopening, which is expected to be divulged as early as Thursday.

The 5-0 board vote Tuesday to reconvene for a special session at 1 p.m. Friday followed an eight-hour meeting with more than 100 speakers appearing in person and addressing the board by telephone.

Board Chairman Manuel Perez and Supervisor Karen Spiegel originally proposed ending requirements on social distancing, use of face coverings, ongoing limitations on playing golf, keeping schools closed and barring short-term rentals, except in cases of providing emergency shelter for vulnerable persons.

By dropping the orders, the county would align with state mandates and no longer have measures that are more austere.

Perez backed off his earlier support, saying it would not be in the county's favor to "abandon guidance" from Kaiser and Riverside University Health System staff. He said he felt continuing some restrictions might fit "hand in glove" with whatever Newsom does this week to ease the statewide stay-at-home order.

Spiegel was of the same opinion and retreated from her original position.

Newsom said Monday a relaxation in state restrictions was in the works. It will pave the way for certain business sectors to reopen, specifically retail, manufacturing and logistics. On Wednesday, the governor told reporters the state is working with counties that want to "open even further," but he did not provide details.

"We're still on track for that 'second phase,'" Newsom said Wednesday.

During Friday's scheduled board meeting, the supervisors will also address the current internal structure of how county public health orders are issued. Supervisor Kevin Jeffries brought the concern forward, saying the board needed to be involved on an advisory level.

On Wednesday, new relaxed coronavirus "guidelines" were issued for managers who oversee swimming pools at apartment complexes, homeowners' associations and hotels/motels in Riverside County.

Health officials emphasized the following are guidelines — not requirements — for community pool operators.

County officials on Tuesday announced eight new state-funded coronavirus testing sites are set to open this week throughout Riverside County, with the combined capacity to test an additional 1,000 people per day.

Free testing for all residents regardless of symptoms will be administered at the new locations by OptumServe, a private company. The new sites will not replace four drive-up testing sites run by county public health officials in Perris, Indio, Riverside and Lake Elsinore, which remain operational. READ MORE: Coronavirus Testing Sites Triple In Riverside County

As of Wednesday afternoon, 63,399 Riverside County residents have been tested, which accounts for slightly more than 2% of the county's population of nearly 2.5 million.

—City News Service contributed to this report.