Coronavirus Cases 'Tip Of The Iceberg' In San Diego: Officials

SAN DIEGO, CA — With confirmed cases of the new coronavirus topping 100 in San Diego County, health officials said Thursday the crisis will get worse before it gets better.

"The numbers at this point are really only the tip of the iceberg," said Dr. Nick Yphantides, the county's chief medical officer, at a news conference before updated figures were released late Thursday afternoon. "You might think we have 3.3 million people living here; that 80 cases is insignificant. That iceberg is increasing in size under the water. Do not have a false sense of security."

An additional 25 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Thursday evening in the county, bringing the region's total to 105. It was the highest day-to-day growth yet, with one case involving a county resident between the ages of 10-19.

A total of 89 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as eight people under federal quarantine at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and eight non-county residents, according to officials.

Of those cases, 36 are women and 67 are men. Two are unknown.

A total of 20 cases are patients 20-29 years old, 24 are 30-39 years old, 22 are 40-49 years old, 13 are 50-59 years old, four are 60-69 years old, 15 are 70-79 years old, and six are 80-plus years old.

Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths.

County residents aren't currently joining millions of other Californians sheltering in place. Instead, health officials hope a series of public health orders that went into effect this week will help slow the spread of coronavirus in the San Diego region.

"I would be careful looking at day-to-day numbers," said Dr. Eric McDonald, the county's head of epidemiology. "Because the incubation period is up to two weeks, there will certainly be a delay in any action we take."

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The county has banned gatherings of 10 or more people in one room and smaller groups must stay six feet apart.

Additionally, the county closed all gyms and fitness centers. Day care centers are restricted to groups of up to 10 children in the same room. The children must remain in the same group each day, with the same staff person.

Earlier in the week, the county closed all bars, adult entertainment businesses and any business that serves alcohol and not food. The county also prohibited restaurants from offering dine-in service and restricted services to drive-through, take-out and delivery. All public schools were required to cancel all classes, gatherings and events.

The county also instructed all people showing symptoms of COVID-19 to self isolate in their homes. Additionally, officials strongly recommended people 65 and older as well as people with chronic medical conditions and those with compromised immune systems to stay home. Hospitals were urged to delay elective procedures.

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City News Service contributed to this report.