SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 (afternoon), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Sept. 1 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 38,604 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 682 reported deaths.
- There are 704,085 confirmed cases in California and 12,933 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates
Sept. 1
San Diego Superior Court summoning jurors again
Following about six months without jury trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Diego Superior Court announced Tuesday that it has begun summoning jurors again in anticipation of trials resuming next month.
Jury duty summons were mailed out this week calling for prospective panelists to appear at the downtown San Diego courthouse beginning Oct. 9.
San Diego County schools allowed to reopen
San Diego County schools are allowed to reopen for in-person teaching starting Tuesday, a day after a flurry of businesses throughout the county resumed indoor operations.
Tuesday marks two weeks since San Diego County was removed from the state's COVID-19 watch list and nearly three weeks that the county's case rate has remained under 100 cases per 100,000 people.
Aug. 31
Reopening San Diego businesses once again: too restrictive or 'insanity'?
As San Diego County businesses got the go-ahead to once again reopen Monday for the second time in less than three months, some questioned if this is a good move based on the spike in COVID cases we saw earlier this summer.
Some business owners though, see the state's new guidelines to safely open the economy back up as entirely too restrictive.
California lawmakers pass eviction relief bill amid virus
The clock was ticking Monday for California lawmakers to vote on a critical deal extending the state’s eviction moratorium. Monday was the final day of the legislative session and lawmakers had until midnight to vote. Just before 10 p.m., they voted yes on the extension.
With rent due Tuesday and the moratorium scheduled to expire both tenants and landlords had a lot at stake.
The deal doesn’t prevent eviction, it pauses it all the way through early next year. But even though it keeps renters from ending up on the street, they still have to pay a portion of their rent going forward.
First day of school is virtual for many San Diego County school districts
Students in San Diego and Chula Vista began the first day of school, but according to one student and one teacher, it looked a little different this year.
San Diego business owner hopes reopening will be for good
The roller coaster ride continues for San Diego County small business owners like Jeni Daffern, the owner of Prestige Nails in Escondido. She was forced to close in March, allowed to reopen in June, then told to close again in July. At the beginning of August, the county gave her permission to open outside and on Monday they let her reopen inside.
She’s hoping this time it’s for good.
San Diego County ICU cases remain steady
San Diego County gave a COVID-19 update on Monday afternoon, reporting 304 new positive cases. That's a 5% positive percentage just for the day. County leaders are urging people to be safe, wear face coverings and social distance as some businesses reopen.
Movie theaters, gyms and museums among businesses set to reopen in San Diego County
Starting Monday, businesses including movie theaters, gyms, museums and hair and nail salons can resume indoor operations, with modifications, under newly issued state guidance related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Restaurants, places of worship and movie theaters can reopen indoor operations Monday, but are only allowed up to 25% occupancy or 100 people -- whichever is less. Museums, zoos and aquariums are also required not to exceed 25% occupancy.
Gyms, dance studios, yoga studios and fitness centers may operate with 10% occupancy. Hair salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, piercing shops, skin care and cosmetology services and nail salons may operate indoors with normal capacity.
Aug. 30
San Diego businesses prepare to reopen Monday
Many San Diego County businesses have been eager to open again after being shut down for the second time in two months. For locals that have been waiting to get back in a gym or get their nails and hair done, that all becomes possible Monday.
San Diego County reports 253 new COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths
San Diego County health officials reported 253 new COVID-19 cases and three new deaths Sunday, raising the region's totals to 38,300 cases and 682 deaths, as some local businesses prepared to re-open indoor operations tomorrow.
Three men in their 80s died. All three had underlying medical conditions.
Of the 5,360 tests reported, 5% returned positive. This is one of the two criteria now being used by the state to loosen or tighten restrictions on activities.
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BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, "CO" stands for "corona," "VI" for "virus," and "D" for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:
Know how it spreads:
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Protect yourself and others
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- It’s especially important to wash:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling your cloth face covering
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancingmeasures are difficult to maintain.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
Monitor your health daily
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
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.
As of April 4, 2020, all employees in San Diego County who may have contact with the public in any grocery store, pharmacy/drug store, restaurant or food establishments, convenience store or gas station are required to wear a cloth face covering while at work as an additional measure to help “flatten the curve” in the San Diego region.
As of May 1, San Diego County requires everyone in the county to wear face coverings in many public settings. The coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are part of our path to reopening San Diego. See full health order here.
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.