State Eyes Riverside County's Coronavirus Uptick

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As Riverside County's coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue increasing, the state announced Monday that the region is being watched as a result of the uptick.

The weekend saw 1,022 new COVID-19 cases and 14 virus-related deaths in Riverside County. Hospitalizations increased by seven patients to 298, with 87 of them in ICU compared to 76 in ICU on Friday.

The number of patients who've recovered from COVID-19 in Riverside County is 6,895, and the county now stands at 189,162 people tested.

During his Monday news briefing, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Riverside is one of 11 counties the state is watching due to coronavirus increases. San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Imperial, Santa Barbara, Kern, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties were also listed.

Riverside County has contended with COVID-19 outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities, jails and a state prison, but state figures show the recent uptick in positive cases is also coming from community spread, Newsom said.

According to the California Department of Public Health website, drivers of the county's COVID-19 uptick include: 1) outbreaks at state prisons and skilled nursing facilities, 2) potential transmission at public protests with large numbers of people in close proximity without face coverings, 3) in-county patient transfers from Imperial County, 4) patients seeking care from Northern Baja California and traveling along SR-86 corridor into Coachella Valley and 5) general increases in local gatherings.

The state outlined key action steps to address concerns.

The state is closely eyeing Riverside County's elevated COVID-19 positivity rate and hospitalization rate, according to Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California Health and Human Services. Ghaly joined Newsom's Monday briefing and provided figures showing Riverside County's positivity rate at 9 percent with hospitalizations increasing. The state's positivity rate threshold is 8 percent.

Riverside County is also falling short on the number of tests being conducted on a daily basis (per state guidelines, at least 150 daily tests per 100,000 people), according to the state's figures. The county is offering free testing at more than a dozen sites across the region.

As for surge capacity, Ghaly's figures showed the county currently has sufficient hospital beds and ventilators available.

Newsom and Ghaly encouraged all residents and businesses to follow the updated face covering mandate, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently to prevent infection.

Last week, the governor ordered face coverings be worn in almost all settings outside the home to help slow virus spread. Outdoor exercise was one of the few exceptions. Riverside County health officials have urged residents to abide by the new state mandate despite the board of supervisors having rescinded a similar county public health order in May.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has previously declined to have deputies actively look for alleged violators of public health orders.

Newsom acknowledged on Monday that face covering enforcement is largely being left up to counties and cities, but he said the state can take on enforcement in some cases. For example, any company that requires a state license or permit to operate could be subject to state review, Newsom said.

In an effort to track the virus, on Monday the county announced that thousands of local residents will soon be contacted and asked to take part in a coronavirus antibody testing study being sponsored by county health officials. Read more: Large Coronavirus Antibody Study Announced In Riverside County

Monday's news comes as more county businesses were allowed to reopen their doors last week. Nail salons, facial and esthetician providers, shaving, waxing and threading businesses, massage therapy outlets and tattoo and piercing parlors countywide are now eligible to resume operation under guidelines specified by the California Department of Public Health. Wedding ceremonies can also proceed, but receptions are not yet on the list of permitted functions.

Prior to Friday's green light for the personal care sector and weddings, motels, gyms, bars, museums, theaters and wineries were also recently allowed to reopen.