Coronavirus Stats, 4 Testing Sites Closing Amid Heat Wave: RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County health officials Friday reported 284 newly confirmed coronavirus cases and 14 additional deaths, while the number of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 continued to trend downward.

The cumulative number of coronavirus infections recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March now stands at 53,987, and the death toll is at 1,067, according to the Riverside University Health System.

Nearly two-thirds of all deaths coded as COVID-19 have been correlated to underlying conditions, principally chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease, according to Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 countywide totaled 185 as of Friday, which is four fewer than Thursday and down 239 from a month ago. Of that number, 63 people were being treated in intensive care units, three more than the previous day.

Emergency Management Director Bruce Barton told the Board of Supervisors this week that there has been "an ongoing significant decrease" from the peak of hospitalizations in mid-July, when 550 people were in the county's 17 acute care medical facilities with virus symptoms..

The number of verified patient recoveries — defined as someone who has not manifested symptoms for 14 days — is up to 45,990.

Four drive-up coronavirus testing sites — located in Indio, Perris, Riverside and Lake Elsinore — will close over Labor Day weekend due to extreme heat expected countywide. County officials said the move was aimed at protecting staff.

Last Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a four-tier color-coded system used daily to guide counties' in loosening public health regulations.

Riverside County remains in the purple or "widespread" tier of the state's new reopening framework, requiring many indoor businesses to remain closed, substantially limit capacity or shift operations outside. Hair salons, barbershops and retail can now bring patrons inside, but modifications are required under updated safety guidelines. Read more here: Businesses Now Open In Riverside County: Coronavirus Update

In order for the county to move to the next level, the red tier, it has to consistently document less than seven new daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population, and the positivity testing rate must be less than 8 percent. Additional information about the formula can be found at www.covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.

Riverside County health officials are urging residents to follow safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus as they celebrate the Labor Day weekend.

Officials say they are concerned there could be a surge in COVID-19 cases similar those which
occurred following the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends earlier during the pandemic.
After increases in July and August, data related to the spread of coronavirus has improved over
the last few weeks.

“Through hard work and the sacrifice of residents, Riverside County has seen improvements in
the numbers indicating the spread of coronavirus has slowed,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of
the Riverside University Health System - Public Health. “It would be a shame for the results of
that hard work to be lost because of the holiday.”