Health & Fitness
High Death Toll, Less COVID-19 Hospitalizations: Riverside County
The decrease in hospitalizations correlates with a rise in COVID-19 deaths.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Coronavirus-related hospitalizations dropped further Tuesday in Riverside County, but the number of virus-related deaths increased by just over 100, as efforts to expand the countywide vaccination program continued.
"Our (hospital) numbers are going down. We're cautiously optimistic about that," Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari told the Board of Supervisors.
She said that even though the governor has lifted the stay-at-home order, "we can't let our guard down" and disregard health safety protocols.
Find out what's happening in Temeculafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to Saruwatari, the county has received 180,275 Pfizer and Moderna SARS-Cov-2 vaccine doses to date. However, because each dispensation regimen requires two shots within a 30-day period, the immunization program has been limited.
"The vaccine supply slows us down," she said.
Find out what's happening in Temeculafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just over 101,000 doses have been given to people throughout the county. Those who are 65 years and older, along with hospital workers, first responders and teachers, are in the current qualifying tiers under the California Department of Public Health's vaccination guidance.
According to Saruwatari, based on current criteria, about 800,000 residents are eligible to receive shots.
The reservation portal to make an appointment for vaccination can be accessed via www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine.
The total number of coronavirus cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March is 266,849, compared to 264,363 Monday, according to the Riverside University Health System.
The number of coronavirus hospitalizations countywide was at 1,265, a one-day decline of 39. The ICU bed count for COVID-19 patients is 319, 15 fewer than Monday.
The decrease in hospitalizations correlates with a rise in COVID-19 deaths. Officials said a total of 2,970 deaths stemming from virus-related complications have been recorded, 103 more than Monday when 2,857 deaths were reported.
County Emergency Management Director Bruce Barton told the board the county's available ICU space remains at 0 percent, along with the 11-county Southern California region.
Barton said hospitals in general are gaining ground, with patient counts taking up about 83 percent of licensed capacity, compared to just over 90 percent during the holidays.
