COVID-19 Cases Top 10K In Riverside County, Spike Amid Reopening

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As more reopenings take place across Riverside County and people gather, health officials are expecting coronavirus cases to rise. But with more than 1,000 new cases reported over the last three days, the numbers represent a spike.

"We're hoping this is just short-term, and that it will start leveling off," said spokesperson Jose Arballo, Riverside University Health System-Public Health. Better adherence to safety protocols, like social distancing and avoiding gatherings, could help drive the numbers down, he explained.

"We forecasted sporadic outbreaks through the summer, and those forecasts so far are coming true," said Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser.

"It's time to think about what the fall will bring, and those initial estimates aren't good," he said.

"If we're not observing social distancing and facial coverings ... we're going to lose the progress we've made," he added.

The number of reported COVID-19 cases in Riverside County jumped by 329 Thursday to 10,240. The increase marks the second largest since the county began tracking the virus. Tuesday saw the largest spike, at 384; Wednesday's increase was 321.

Thursday's death toll rose by five — to 377 — since Wednesday.

While the number of people tested for the virus continues to climb, the current spike in cases doesn't appear to align with a sudden surge in residents signing up to get tested, according to Arballo. As of Thursday, 145,739 county residents have been screened.

Health officials are, however, eyeing a COVID-19 outbreak at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe. "Hundreds" of the facility's inmates have recently tested positive for the virus, Arballo confirmed.

As of Thursday, a total of 998 inmates at the men's prison have been infected with the virus, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The flare-up represents the worst outbreak in the entire state prison to date. No inmate deaths have been reported at the prison.

About 200 contact tracers have been brought on to help identify other potential virus hotspots across the county. Another 100 tracers are sought, Arballo said.

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients increased by five on Thursday to 232, which includes 71 being treated in intensive care units. This includes residents from neighboring counties being treated in Riverside County.

Despite the caseload uptick, county officials announced that a number of new business sectors will be allowed to reopen starting Friday, including:

• Hotels, motels, inns (for tourism and travel)
• Schools, day camps, daycares
• Campgrounds and outdoor recreation
• Filming for television and music industries
• Restaurants, bars and wineries
• Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums
• Professional sports (no audience)
• Movie theaters and family entertainment centers
• Gyms and fitness centers

Among the business that are not allowed to reopen at this stage are some personal care businesses, such as nail salons, threading and waxing. Youth sports, team sports, and weddings are not allowed to resume, and libraries remain shuttered.

Kim Saruwatari, director of Riverside University Health System-Public Health, reminded residents that as the reopenings continue, there's more opportunity for public interaction and disease spread.

“The 10,000-case figure is a stark reminder that coronavirus is still active in the community and we need to continue the health practices that previously helped us flatten the curve,” she said.