Coronavirus Cases, Deaths, Expanded Testing: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A coronavirus news briefing Friday in Riverside County had some bright spots, but health officials warn: no loosening of restrictions until there is a better understanding of how COVID-19 is spread — and testing will be key to finding out.

As of Friday, the county now reports 2,457 infections and 69 deaths. The numbers are a stark increase over the previous day: Overnight, the county reported 10 additional deaths and 193 new cases.

Click here to see how many COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported in your city.

COVID-19 hospitalizations countywide stand at 216, with 72 of those patients in ICU.

To get a better handle on how the illness, it was announced Friday that COVID-19 testing at county-operated test sites is being opened to all residents — including people who show no symptoms.

Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer, said modification of testing criteria allows anyone who wants to be tested the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, it gives health experts a better idea of the extent of the illness in Riverside County.

Health officials have long known there are likely many infected people who show little — if any — symptoms. But who are they, and how contagious are they?

"It's time to find out," Kaiser said, noting he is "very interested" in testing children, who to date make up very few of the county's COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that testing will be key to deciding when it will be safe to loosen existing restrictions. He laid out a six-step plan for how the state will move toware reopening, and testing and contact tracing were about the criteria. President Trump followed up with is own guidelines, where he too emphasized the importance of testing.

Any Riverside County resident who wants to be tested for COVID-19 at any of the four existing county locations (Indio, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, Perris) must call 800-945-6171 for an appointment. Drive-ups without appointments cannot be accommodated.

A fifth county-operated testing site will open April 22 in Blythe (591 N. Olive Lake Blvd.). This site is also by appointment only (call 800-945-6171).

Kim Saruwatari, director, Riverside University Health System-Public Health, said current testing capacity is about 8,000-10,000 tests per week, countywide, with a turnaround time of about three days. The state announced a new "testing task force," which is promising more supplies and support for local jurisdictions that "will drastically increase" the county's testing ability, Saruwatari said.

As of Friday, more than 32,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered countywide, health officials said. In the near term, the tests will continue to be swab types.

As for any reopening of local businesses, Kaiser stressed that while the COVID-19 doubling rate has slowed, it is not enough. He said Friday's increase of nearly 200 cases in just a 24-hour period "is not insignificant." He asked all residents to continue to follow the governor's stay-home order, which he reminded does not have an end date.

There may be the possibility of some modifications, however, in existing restrictions. V. Manuel Perez, chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, announced Friday that drive-up religious services are now allowed countywide. The "clarification" came from the governor's office, he said.

Kaiser said that while he can order stricter guidelines for the county, he cannot soften anything the governor has put in place. "We are under the state order," he said.

Outbreaks at licensed care centers, such as nursing homes, prompted the deployment this week of teams to "educate" and "equip" workers at these facilities. Read more here. But congregate living conditions are also found inside county jails, and information has been slow to surface about testing and mitigation efforts at the facilities. Perez said he hoped to have more information for the public next week. As of Friday afternoon, the last COVID-19 update provided by the sheriff's department was April 10, when it was announced that 55 sheriff's department employees and 80 inmates were COVID-19 positive. Two deputies have died from complications due to the illness.

OTHER COVID-19 NEWS THIS WEEK:

• Gasoline Price Continues Sliding: Riverside County
• Lifelines Help Feed Rancho Mirage Restaurants Hungry For Business
• May 1 Reopening Of RivCo Economy Under Trump Plan? Not Happening
• Patients Who've Beaten Coronavirus Sought In Riverside County

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