Health & Fitness
High Demand For COVID Tests Prompts Traffic Issues In Murrieta
Murrieta police and the city's Public Works Department are working with Kaiser Permanente to address traffic snarls along Keller Road.
MURRIETA, CA — High demand for COVID-19 testing at Kaiser Permanente in Murrieta has caused traffic delays in the city that have prompted safety officials to take action.
Teams from the Murrieta Police Department and Murrieta's Public Works personnel are working with the health care provider to address traffic issues at their location on Keller Road, according to police.
"The City of Murrieta is working to keep this area safe for those being tested and those driving in the area," the Murrieta Police Department reported Tuesday.
A temporary three-way stop sign at Antelope Road and Mapleton Avenue was installed to address visibility issues at the intersection. Additionally, the traffic signal at Antelope and Keller roads has been set to flashing/yield mode in order to slow down vehicles driving on Antelope Road, according to police.
The southbound left-turn lane on Antelope Road will be coned off for eastbound Keller with cones. The city is also placing information signs in the area to warn drivers of possible upcoming traffic congestion.
"Murrieta Police Department will continue to patrol the area and monitor traffic. This demand will likely continue for the upcoming weeks," Murrieta police said. "The city appreciates everyone’s patience and caution."
As of Tuesday afternoon, the number of COVID-positive patients in Riverside County hospitals rose to 658, an increase of 63 people from Monday's figure, according to state data. The number of those patients in intensive care was 94 Tuesday.
One week ago, Riverside County's COVID-19 hospitalizations stood at 387.
The latest increase in COVID hospitalizations is due to a sharp rise in virus spread. With 1,818 new cases of COVID-19 reported since Monday, the county's total cases stood at 406,421 Tuesday. The total figure, which dates back to the pandemic's beginning, includes 11,462 new infections reported in the last seven days. The total does not include positive at-home test results.
The county's total COVID death toll of 5,589 was unchanged from Monday but was up by 34 fatalities from Riverside University Health System reporting one week ago. The fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can go back weeks, according to health officials.
As of Tuesday, 58.5 percent of the county's population 5 and older were fully vaccinated, and 22.8 percent of residents 16 and older have received a booster shot. To get more information or to schedule vaccination, visit https://myturn.ca.gov/
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
