Death Toll From Severe COVID Illness Continues Climb In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The number of people hospitalized with coronavirus in Riverside County fell again Wednesday, but an additional 21 virus-related deaths were reported.

Numbers released Wednesday by Riverside University Health System showed COVID-related hospitalizations were at 513 countywide, down by 84 patients from one week ago. Wednesday's total hospitalizations include 145 intensive care unit patients, 13 more than a week ago.

Another 690 COVID infections were confirmed Wednesday by RUHS, lifting the county's overall number since the pandemic began to 347,183. In the past week, 5,423 new cases have been confirmed countywide.

A total of 4,872 deaths from virus-related complications have been recorded in the county over the last 18 months, up by 84 people since one week ago. The fatalities are trailing indicators because of delays processing death certificates and can go back weeks, according to health officials.

Fifty-six percent of county residents 12 and older are now fully vaccinated against the virus, according to RUHS. For more information about getting the vaccine, visit the RUHS vaccination portal here.

This week, the RUHS Medical Center, in partnership with California's Emergency Medical Services Authority, began welcoming patients to its new Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center designated to mitigate severe diseases within COVID-19 patients. Read more here: New COVID-19 Treatment Center Opens In Riverside County