Coronavirus Confirmed In SW Riverside County; 22 Cases Countywide

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County Public Health announced Thursday afternoon that the number of coronavirus cases countywide stands at 22, with new cases confirmed in Southwest Riverside County. Additionally, a vendor who contracted work at a Rancho Mirage skilled nursing facility has tested positive for the disease.

“Unfortunately, as testing expands, so will the number of positive cases,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County Public Health officer. “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.”

Thursday afternoon's total of 22 cases countywide is a jump of six since the last report. The new cases include the vendor, the three Southwest Riverside County cases and two in western Riverside County.

Overall, there have been 13 cases in the Coachella Valley, four in western Riverside County, three in Southwest Riverside County and two from the Diamond Princess cruise. The three in Southwest Riverside County are the first cases announced in that region.

The county death toll stands at three — all were in the Coachella Valley.

County health officials did not provide ages, gender or exact locations of the new cases, however some details were released about the vendor who contracted work at Rancho Mirage Health and Rehabilitation Center.

The woman, in her 30s, is in self-isolation at home; she is expected to recover, officials said. She is the second case of COVID-19 found at the nursing facility; the other person died earlier this week from complications due to the illness.

“Since the contracted vendor’s diagnosis, we have been in daily communication with her employer about her overall health,” said Staci Trang, risk management representative with the nursing facility. “We have been told that she is in good spirits. We wish her a speedy recovery.”

When the first case was discovered March 13 at the nursing facility, Riverside County Public Health immediately tested 140 employees and vendors, as well as 94 residents, according to health officials. Test results continue to come in.

“I appreciate the collaboration we have between the Rancho Mirage Health and Rehabilitation Center and Riverside County Public Health. Our goal, once again, is to suppress and mitigate the spread of coronavirus,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, whose district includes the Coachella Valley.

Kaiser has ordered all residents and businesses to limit gatherings to less than 10 people, and all residents must maintain a 6-foot social distance between others through April 30.

All schools are also ordered closed until April 30.

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