COVID-19 Hospitalizations Trend Up In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — COVID-19 hospitalizations increased over the last week in Riverside County, while new cases increased by 2,487, county health officials reported Friday.

COVID-related hospitalizations countywide stood at 270 on Friday, up by 50 patients since one week ago. The total figure includes 61 patients in intensive care units, an increase of seven people since last Friday, according to data provided by Riverside University Health System.

There is no clear-cut answer as to why hospitalizations increased, but county health officials are monitoring the uptick, said RUHS spokesperson Jose Arballo.

Despite the bump in new hospitalizations, the figure is far below the high of more than 1,6o0 daily patients recorded during the first half of January.

More than 90 percent of people currently hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated, according to county public health officials.

The county's vaccination rate for people 12 and older stood at 60.8 percent Friday, just .4 percent higher than one week ago and well below the statewide figure of 73.3 percent.

About 60 RUHS clinics operated by community partners began administering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 this week, with county-operated clinics planning to start on Saturday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave authorization Tuesday for the two-series Pfizer vaccine in the 5-11 age group. The child vaccine is one-third the dose used for adults.

"The vaccine for children in this age group is so important as we continue to slow and stop the spread of the COVID virus, particularly since we have seen an increase in cases among this population," said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Public Health Officer for Riverside County. "Parents should be confident the vaccine for these children is safe and effective."

A total of 5,240 deaths from virus-related complications have been recorded in Riverside County since the pandemic began. Friday's figure marks an increase of 46 COVID-19 deaths reported over the last week. During the prior week — Oct. 23-29 — a total of 60 COVID-19 deaths were reported, according to RUHS data.

The fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can go back a month or longer.

Less than 3 percent of the county's COVID deaths have occurred in fully vaccinated people, according to RUHS.

The total number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in March 2020 stood at 367,308 on Friday, up from 364,821 one week ago.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination or to schedule an appointment, go to myturn.ca.gov.