Coronavirus In RivCo: Expanded Testing, National Guard, Deaths

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As of Monday evening, confirmed coronavirus cases in Riverside County have increased from 31 to 48, with the countywide death count remaining at six, health officials say.

All six COVID-19-related deaths were reported in the Coachella Valley.

Weekend health department updates included news that regional food bank operations in the Coachella Valley will be supported by 25 men and women from the California National Guard starting Monday. READ: National Guard Arrives In Coachella Valley To Assist Food Bank

It was also announced that COVID-19 testing has been expanded in Lake Elsinore. Residents in portions of Southern California can now be screened and make their appointments for testing online using the Baseline COVID-19 website. The testing is being done at the Diamond Stadium.

Those living within 50 miles of Riverside can now screen symptoms and risk factors online and if eligible, participate in testing at the stadium, which has been designated as a Community-Based Testing Site. CBTSs are California state directed, and federally supported testing centers. READ: Coronavirus Testing Expands In Lake Elsinore: Get More Info

The county also received more clarification from state officials over the weekend about what constitutes an "essential service." Such businesses and services are allowed to remain open during the statewide "Stay-at-Home" order. See the county's updated list here.

All businesses and services that are allowed to remain open must abide by the statewide social-gathering mandate that requires everyone remain at least 6-feet from each other.

Residents are allowed to go outdoors for exercise and transportation (bike, walk, etc.) but must adhere to social distancing.

Confirmed cases of the disease are expected to spike this week, likely by the day, as more test results come in.

Deaths are also expected to rise, especially among populations with a high mortality risk.

Last week, Eisenhower Medical Center virologist Dr. Richard Loftus told the Riverside County Board of Directors via telephone that the probability was high that at least 10 coronavirus-related deaths would occur in the Coachella Valley before the end of the month. The physician described the area's senior population as "kindling for the virus."

"We are working diligently to ensure those who may have been exposed are taken care of, but we know COVID-19 is present in the community, and there will be more cases," Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said las week.

"Community spread is imminent without immediate intervention," Kaiser said. "We have to make interventions stick in order to break the cycle of contagion so COVID-19 does not overwhelm our hospital capacity."

As a reminder, frequent hand washing, social distancing and basic hygiene are emphasized as good precautionary practices against viral infection.

COVID-19 symptoms are comparable to the flu and include fever, coughing and respiratory distress. A person usually develops the symptoms within two weeks of exposure, according to the CDC.

For more information, visit the county's health department website at https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus.

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