What's Open, Face Mask Required? Coronavirus In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to climb in Riverside County, but the levels are not rising enough to warrant a pullback on the reopening that is underway across the region. Lack of concern about face masks and social distancing, however, could mean a return to shut downs if COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spike.

Riverside County health officials Wednesday reported 113 newly confirmed coronavirus infections and three additional fatalities, bringing the county's case total to 7,252 and the death toll to 306.

All three deaths reported Wednesday were women — a 59-year-old from Riverside, an 84-year-old from Riverside and an 89-year-old from Palm Desert, according to Jose Arballo, spokesman for the Riverside University Health System.

The number of county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 stood at 207, up by 14 from Tuesday. Of those hospitalized, 68 are being treated in intensive care units, according to the latest RUHS figures.

The number of documented recoveries increased by 12 to 4,297.

Want to see the number of infections, deaths in your city/unincorporated area? Click here.

More than 108,000 Riverside County residents have been tested for the coronavirus, which accounts for more than 4% of the county's population of nearly 2.5 million.

According to Riverside University Health System researcher Dr. Geoffrey Leung, the countywide hospitalization rate for COVID-19 cases has been flat for the past few weeks, generally remaining below 200, while the "positivity rate" from coronavirus screenings has ranged from 2% to 4%, figures that did not raise red flags.

Riverside is one of 47 counties in the state that have been granted "regional variances" needed to open more types of businesses. As part of the variance, the county had to show that it can rein in reopening if positivity rates and/or hospitalizations spike.

So what's open? Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday cleared the way for barbershops and hair salons to open in counties that have been cleared to move deeper into California's reopening roadmap, including Riverside County. Read more: Hair Salons, Others Reopen In Riverside County: Vigilance Sought

Restrictions on in-person dining and shopping were lifted in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Read more: Dine-in Restaurants, Retail Get OK To Reopen In Riverside County

Additionally, churches and houses of worship can reopen, and the state has issued statewide guidance on how they can safely reopen amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more: Worshipping In Riverside County: State Guidelines

Riverside County's Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser has ordered all schools closed through June 19. It is expected that K-12 schools will reopen in August to begin the start of the 2020-21 academic year, but exact specifics have not been announced in terms of start times, class sizes, distancing, face masks, and other concerns. Several Riverside County schools districts have proposed multiple models, including a "hybrid" option that includes online and some classroom instruction.

Manufacturing plants, offices and outdoor museums were approved to reopen earlier this month.

Statewide and countywide, the following sectors, businesses, establishments, or activities are not permitted to operate:

• Personal services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios
• Indoor museums, kids museums, gallery spaces, zoos and libraries
• Community centers, including public pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas
• Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, gaming, gambling, arcade venues, pro sports,
• Hospitality services, such as bars, wineries, tasting rooms and lounges
• Nightclubs
• Concert venues
• Live audience sports
• Festivals
• Theme parks
• Hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism (non-essential travel)
• Higher Education

As for face masks, common sense prevails. Many Riverside County residents are at high-risk of serious and/or life-threatening illness if they become infected with coronavirus. To protect the vulnerable, it is strongly recommended by state and county public health officials that everyone do their part and wear face masks in places where people come into contact with others from outside their household.

Some, but not all, Riverside County businesses are requiring customers to wear face masks and can refuse service otherwise.

—City News Service contributed to this report.

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