SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from May 24 - 26 (midday), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for May 26, 2020, and on.
Key facts in San Diego:
- There are 6,797 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 249 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city.
- San Diego County is following California's stay at home order.
- Most San Diego schools have moved to distance learning and students can still receive meals while schools are closed.
- Find testing sites in San Diego county
- Text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get updates from San Diego County.
- Click here for previous daily updates.
Key facts in California:
- California governor issued a statewide stay at home order on March 19.
- There are 94,558 confirmed cases in California and 3,795 deaths, according to the CA Department of Public Health.
- 3,015 Californians are hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 1,062 are in the ICU, according to the CA Department of Public Health.
- 1,582,745 tests have been conducted as of May 23, according to the CA.gov.
- A senior hotline has been set up to answer questions at 833-544-2374.
May 26
Governor Newsom says counties can decide whether to reopen hair salons with safety modifications
Governor Gavin Newsom gave an update on COVID-19 in California at noon on Tuesday. The briefing came after California issued new guidelines for places of worship and in-person retail shopping on Monday. You can watch the entire briefing here.
Newsom said while a lot of people enjoyed themselves while respecting social distancing guidelines over the three-day weekend, some did not.
Forty-seven counties have self-attested for regional variance, meaning they can move further into the reopening process. San Diego County is one of those. On Tuesday, Newsom announced hair salons and barber shops can re-open with a safety plan when a county allows.
Scripps Health reopens clinics in Escondido, Solana Beach and Santee
Scripps Health reopened a trio of outpatient clinics in the San Diego region Tuesday as the health system continues to restore services shuttered in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scripps also has begun resuming time-critical surgeries at its five hospital campuses and outpatient surgery centers in San Diego County.
Here is where to get a COVID-19 test in rural San Diego starting Tuesday
Rural communities in San Diego County will have access to free COVID-19 tests starting on Tuesday. CalFire will set up drive up test sights throughout the backcountry and various libraries.
The firefighters will be assisting San Diego County Health and Human Services in their mission to test residents in the rural, unincorporated areas of the county.
For a full list of the sites that will offer free tests to the public, click here.
May 25
Former Rep. Issa sues Gov. Newsom over mail-in ballot plan for California
Former Rep. Darrell Issa filed a lawsuit last week against Gov. Gavin Newsom over his directive to send every registered voter a ballot for the November election. It made California the first state to send all voters a ballot because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“The reason we filed the suit is the governor had no such authority and there are remedies,” said Issa, who is the Republican contender for the 50th Congressional District.
San Diego Public Library to open 11 branches for pickup service Tuesday
The San Diego Public Library will begin offering contact-free pickup service at 11 of its branches beginning this week.
The weekday pickup service -- which begins Tuesday -- will restore access to 2.9 million physical materials in the library's collection for the first time since branches were closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
California OKs reopening of retail stores across state
The California Department of Public Health Monday announced the statewide reopening of in-store retail shopping, a major step in California's emergence from shutdown orders issued in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The retail guidance for in-person shopping that is already in place for certain counties now applies statewide, officials said. Guidelines provided by the state are intended to help reduce the risk for workers and customers in retail stores.
Barona Casino to begin phased reopening on Wednesday
Barona Resort and Casino announced their re-opening plan Monday, which welcomes patrons back to the casino on Wednesday after a two- month closure due the coronavirus pandemic, casino officials said.
Other tribal casinos began re-opening their doors this past week, despite disapproval from county officials. Tribal casinos are on federally regulated land, outside the county's jurisdiction. Barona Resort and Casino is the eighth tribal casino to restart operation in San Diego County.
California releases COVID-19 guidelines for in-person religious services
On Monday, May 25, the California Department of Public Health and the State of California Department of Industrial Relations released guidelines for places of worship that wish to hold religious and/or cultural services. You can read them all here.
CDC releases guidelines on water safety
The CDC recently released recommendations around COVID-19 and how it can be transmitted in pools, water parks, rivers, lakes and the ocean.
1st deadlines approach for laid-off workers to get health insurance
A 60-day 'special enrollment' period for coverage under the ACA closes next week in most states for those who lost their insurance as layoffs mounted in March.
San Diego Memorial Day ceremonies live-streamed Monday
Four iconic San Diego locations, including the USS Midway Museum and Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, were sites used for a live virtual commemoration of Memorial Day at 9 a.m.
May 24
What are the rules as San Diego restaurants, stores reopen?
San Diego restaurants and stores hosted customers inside for the first weekend since the stay at home orders began. However, many viewers found the rules confusing or weren’t sure what to expect.
Protesters demand Otay Mesa Detention Center release detainees amid COVID-19 outbreak
Protesters held a drive-by rally outside the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Sunday demanding detainees be released amid a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s website, more than 150 detainees have been infected with the novel coronavirus at the center. At least one asylum-seeker has died.
San Diego archdiocese looking to hold in-person Masses in June
Some 1.3 million Roman Catholics in the San Diego County diocese are being invited to attend in-person Masses as early June 8 after closing for COVID-19 in mid-March, church officials said this weekend.
Parishes may adopt different logistics, such as indoors, outdoors or a hybrid.
The announcement comes as churches statewide looked forward to guidance Monday from Gov. Gavin Newsom on how they can reopen.
San Diego Memorial Day ceremonies to be live-streamed Monday
Four iconic San Diego locations, including the USS Midway Museum and Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, will be sites for a live virtual commemoration of Memorial Day beginning online at 9 a.m. Monday, event organizers said Sunday.
The webpage for this event is midway.org/memorialdaylive and it will be recorded and available to view again following the livestream.
Because of the restrictions on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, no spectators or visitors will be allowed for the live broadcast, organizers said.
Court denies South Bay San Diego church’s plea to reopen
A legal battle has continued over whether California’s churches can resume Sunday services. Late Friday night a state court ruled churches cannot resume services but a South Bay San Diego church is appealing the decision.
South Bay United Pentecostal Church filed an emergency motion Saturday morning asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their case.
Flagship cruises will reopen, bay tours will start Sunday
Flagship Cruises and Events has announced its San Diego Bay cruises will resume on Saturday, with new measures in place to help protect patrons and staff from the coronavirus.
The daily harbor tour and Patriot Jet Boat cruises will open with limited capacity to allow for social distancing, and masks will be required for passengers and employees.
Dinner cruises will resume May 29. The company is accepting reservations for all tours.
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We also have a Frequently Asked Questions page we will continue updating with the latest information and reports.
Click here to watch "Facts Not Fear," a News 8 Special on coronavirus from March 26, 2020.
BACKGROUND
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:
Know how it spreads
There is no vaccine
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus
It is thought to spread mainly from person-person between people in close contact
And believed to be spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
Protect yourself
Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourselves and others
Protect others
Stay home when you are sick
Wear a facemask if you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
If you don't have tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow
Immediately wash your hands after coughing and sneezing
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
You can find information on disinfecting and cleaning on the CDC's How to Protect Yourself page.
The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The County of San Diego has made face coverings mandatory for those working with the public including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar businesses.
While officials say these face coverings are not a substitute for practices like social distancing and handwashing, there is evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission. Officials do not recommend the public use N-95 or surgical masks which are needed by health care workers and first responders.