Coronavirus Spread Worsening In Riverside County, State Data Show

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County health officials reported Tuesday 129 newly confirmed coronavirus infections and six additional virus-related deaths, as the state reported that the county continues to see virus spread and is in danger of moving into a more restrictive tier that would force business closures.

Meanwhile the County Board of Supervisors debated Tuesday whether to flout California Department of Public Health restrictions, and a top state health official said that a vaccine to combat COVID-19 could be distributed as soon as late fall or early winter.

According to state metrics released Tuesday, the county's coronavirus case and positivity rates increased. The case rate rose to 7.6 cases per 100,000 population from 6.7 last Tuesday. The positivity rate rose to 5.0 percent from 4.8 percent a week ago.

The county remains in the state's "red tier," which means virus spread is "substantial," according to the state. However, the county is in danger of moving back into the "purple" or "widespread" tier due to its rising case rate. A rate of 7 (or higher) cases per 100,000 population is considered widespread per the state's framework.

Under the red tier, many additional Riverside County businesses have been allowed to reopen, including in-restaurant dining, movie theaters, gyms and others. Schools are officially able to reopen effective Tuesday, although local district governing boards are still working to decide reopening dates.

On Tuesday the state also unveiled another metric to determine whether counties may move forward or backward in the tiered system. The new "health equity" metric looks at disadvantaged communities within counties to see if case and positivity rates are in line — or better or worse — than more affluent county areas.

The state is identifying the lowest quartile of Riverside County communities using the California Healthy Places Index. Areas such as eastern Coachella Valley, as well as the cities and surrounding areas of Perris, Hemet, Moreno Valley, and Banning fall into that quartile, while regions like Southwest Riverside County's Temecula and Murrieta are in a higher quartile, according to the California HPI.

Per county data, some of the communities hardest hit by coronavirus are in those areas identified as being in the lowest quartile.

The state releases updated data each Tuesday, and Riverside County spokesperson Brooke Federico said it will be another week before the new health equity measure is factored in the county data.

As the state unveiled the latest data, the county Board of Supervisors continued hearing comments Tuesday from constituents weighing in on a proposal to flout the state's tiered system.

Under a tentative plan introduced by Supervisor Jeff Hewitt on Sept. 22, the county would take a self-directed approach to restrictions on the private sector with a target of fully reopening businesses by the start of November.

According to the Executive Office, the county could stand to lose $114 million in allocations due from the state if it takes an independent path.

Rather than going it alone, the board voted 4-1 Tuesday to work with the state to get further clarity on Hewitt's plan, including a path to allow the hotel meeting industry and wedding receptions to resume. As part of the vote, the supervisors deleted from the county plan any target dates for reopening. Hewitt was the lone dissenter.

“I believe that the vote today keeps Riverside County on a positive course, as we continue our responsibility to the public health of our residents,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “As a county, we do not have the authority or the jurisdiction to move into different phases of reopening without the state’s approval. Today, we prevented what could have been a self inflicted injury. Moving forward, we will continue to work with the state government, as we are doing in support of our hospitality and tourism industry when it comes to meetings.”

On a separate item agenda Tuesday, the supervisors voted to allocate $1.5 million to create a tourism support program to help the tourism industry rebuild. Tourism industry groups including the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau will submit a proposed action plan to the county on how the funds could be utilized for the short- and long term recovery of the industry in all parts of the county.

California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly told reporters Tuesday that a vaccine to combat COVID-19 could be available as soon as late fall or early winter, but he warned that the state will not begin distribution unless the vaccine is deemed safe.

On Tuesday, Riverside University Health System reported 60,867 COVID-19 cases, an uptick of 129 since Monday. The death toll stands at 1,244, six more than a day ago.

According to the county's Emergency Management Department, 142 people are hospitalized countywide with virus symptoms, an increase of 11 since Monday. That figure includes 42 intensive care unit patients, two more than the previous day.