COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue Steep Rise In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Since July 29, nearly 5,000 new coronavirus cases and an almost 50 percent increase in the number of patients hospitalized with the virus have been reported in Riverside County.

Updated data provided Thursday by Riverside University Health System show 4,783 new infections over the one-week period, bringing the total number of cases since the pandemic began last year to 312,705.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Riverside County stood at 361 Thursday, with 80 of those patients in intensive care units. Last Thursday's COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported at 246, with 61 of those patients in ICU, according to RUHS data.

The total COVID-19 hospitalizations represent a 47 percent increase compared to one week ago, but are well behind winter surge numbers when single-day coronavirus admissions topped 1,500 patients.

The figures have steadily risen since the June 15 statewide reopening, but steeper increases are now being recorded. Officials predicted that increased COVID-19 transmission from the reopening and the July 4 holiday would likely become more apparent in the data at the end of July.

During the July 27 Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, Dr. Geoffrey Leung said deaths from the latest rise in new infections would likely begin to be reported in mid-August.

As of Thursday, there were 4,667 COVID-19 deaths reported in Riverside County since the pandemic began. The figure represents an increase of eight deaths since July 29.

Leung along with state and federal health officials have continually advised that nearly all COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people.

As of Thursday, 50.3 percent of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Riverside County, according to RUHS data.

None of the available vaccines offer 100 percent protection against COVID-19, but breakthrough infections are uncommon, according to health officials. Vaccinated individuals who do become infected have a low chance of serious illness or death, but they can still spread the virus.

The unvaccinated, immunocompromised and children under 12 are at risk of infection, especially by the highly transmissible Delta variant, officials said. To protect these at-risk groups, face masks are now recommended for everyone in indoor public settings.

Palm Springs is mandating face masks in its city and is requiring proof of vaccination in several settings. Read more here.