First 2 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Western Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Western Riverside County's first two coronavirus cases were announced Tuesday.

Both cases are expected to recover, according to Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser, who did not offer information about their ages or gender. The patients' locations within western Riverside County were also not provided by health officials.

“We knew getting west county cases was an inevitability,” Kaiser said. “The disease curve must be flattened, and that’s why we’re already intervening as early as possible so that our vulnerable residents are protected.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, 16 Riverside County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Of the 16, three people have died due to complications from the disease.

One person who was previously included in the Riverside County "confirmed cases" tally turned out to be a resident of another county, according to Riverside County Public Health spokesman Jose Arballo. That patient has since been subtracted from the Riverside County count, according to Arballo.

Aside from the two new cases in western Riverside County, 12 coronavirus cases are in the Coachella Valley. Two cruise ship passengers who reside in Riverside County are also among the 16 cases; one of those patients has not returned to the region since being diagnosed, according to Arballo.

As the county’s response continues to expand and testing increases, Kaiser said the number of
confirmed cases will likely jump.

“We need to have a greater idea of the extent of the spread of COVID-19,” he said. “The
more testing that is completed, the better the picture we have of what we are facing and what
steps need to be taken to better protect the community.”

Monday Kaiser issued a new health order restricting mass gatherings of 10 people or more in the county. His order also states that gatherings with fewer than 10 people must have enough available room to maintain six feet of space between attendees — known as "social distancing."

“The limit of 10 people in a space applies to many businesses, attractions and houses of
worship,” said Kaiser. “That means restaurants can’t do dine-in: you’ll have to get take-out or
drive-thru. That means services at churches, synagogues and mosques go online. That means
some gyms and bars won’t be able to stay open at all. Minimize your trips, buy only what you
need and stay home as you can. We need to flatten the curve of disease.”

Kaiser has also ordered the closure of all Riverside County schools from elementary to college until April 30. He also has recommended that senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions in the Coachella Valley avoid any non-essential travel.

Visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus for updated information.

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