Riverside County COVID-19 Update: Vaccine News, Latest Numbers

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Here's the roundup of COVID-19 news this week in Riverside County.

Cases, Hospitalizations, Deaths

On Friday, coronavirus-related hospitalizations ticked up again in Riverside County. A total of 557 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide, an increase of 78 people since last Friday. The 557 figure includes 106 intensive care unit patients. Last Friday, 89 COVID-19 patients were in ICU.

The data provided by Riverside University Health System also showed 1,205 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday, bringing the total number of cases recorded in the county to 325,944 since March 2020 when the pandemic began.

The uptick in new cases and hospitalizations is largely attributed to the Delta variant infecting unvaccinated individuals, public health officials across the region, state and country have warned.

Since last Friday, 6,211 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the county, according to RUHS data.

The county's COVID-19 death toll now stands at 4,697 — an increase of 12 people reported over the last week. Fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can date back weeks.

Third Doses Of Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines

Those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can now get a third Moderna or Pfizer vaccine dose through mobile clinics run by Riverside County Public Health as well as through many pharmacies and health care providers.

In late September, Moderna and Pfizer booster shots will be also rolled out to everyone 12 and older, federal officials announced this week. Eligibility for the third dose will begin eight months after an individual's second shot.

Second doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet available (immunocompromised or otherwise). An update from federal officials is expected in the next few weeks, and it's likely a second shot will be recommended for all J&J recipients.

Read more here about why officials say the extra shots are needed.

FDA Full Approvals Of COVID-19 Vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly poised to give its first full approval of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech's two-dose COVID-19 vaccine could be approved as early as Monday, the New York Times reported Friday.

Full approval is likely to trigger a string of new mandates for students and among private employers.

Related articles:

MSJC Drafting New COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Protocols

Calif. Supreme Court Rejects OC Lawsuit To Block Mask Mandate In Schools

Riverside County Vaccination Rates

According to the latest RUHS data, 52 percent of county residents 12 and older are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. See the breakdown by age and race: