COVID-19 Watch List: San Diego County Drops Off, RivCo Remains On

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County health officials Tuesday reported 710 newly confirmed coronavirus infections and one additional death, meanwhile neighboring San Diego County was removed from the state's COVID-19 watch list due to its ability to meet state thresholds.

Riverside County remains on the list, along with dozens of other California counties. Riverside County's COVID-19 positivity rate 0f 11.1 percent over a seven-day period remains problematic, the state data show. The state goal is 8 percent or less.

After being removed from the list, San Diego County is now in a 14-day countdown toward K-12 schools reopening at the discretion of local boards. In-person classes could restart as early as Sept. 1, provided the county does not lapse in any of six thresholds established by the state, including case rate, percentage of positive tests, average number of tests the county can perform daily, changes in the number of hospitalized patients, and the percentage of ventilators and intensive care beds available. The county will be placed back on the list should it be flagged for exceeding any one of the six metrics for three consecutive days.

No other businesses in San Diego can reopen until the state provides further guidance.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Tuesday that the city would begin allowing gyms, fitness businesses and places of worship to operate in city parks beginning Monday.

San Diego County reports a total of 35,162 COVID-19 cases and 633 deaths.

Riverside County's aggregate number of COVID-19 cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March stands at 48,200, with 913 deaths, according to the Riverside University Health System.

Riverside County has the second-highest number of cumulative cases and deaths in California, behind only Los Angeles County.

The number of known active virus cases across Riverside County is 21,782, an increase of 1,107 from Monday. The active count is derived by subtracting deaths and recoveries from the current total — 48,200 — according to the county Executive Office.

The number of confirmed patient recoveries is 25,505. The RUHS defines a recovery as someone who has not manifested symptoms for 14 days.

According to RUHS, 300 people are hospitalized for COVID-19, four more than on Monday. Hospitalizations include 89 patients in intensive care units, or one fewer than Monday.

On Friday, Riverside County Counsel Gregory P. Priamos reminded school boards that both public and private institutions are not permitted to open for in-person instruction. Additionally, applications for a waiver to permit in-person instruction are not yet being accepted by the county.

—City News Service contributed to this report.