SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from July 28 - 30 (afternoon), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for July 30, 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 28,287 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 552 reported deaths.
- There are 475,305 confirmed cases in California and 8,715 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates.
July 30
Local groups unhappy with county's demographic of contact tracers
Reverend Shane Harris is joining the Chicano Federation in voicing criticism of the county's contact tracing hires. They both believe that the breakdown of contact tracers should not represent the community demographics, but instead, they should represent the demographic of people impacted by the virus.
San Diego County looking at businesses violating health order
San Diego County health officials are reporting 282 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths, raising the county's totals to 28,287 cases and 552 deaths as of Wednesday.
July 29
Mayor Faulconer, Councilmember Montgomery announce proposal to help small businesses
Mayor Kevin Faulconer will hold a news conference along with City Councilwoman Monica Montgomery announcing a proposal that would reallocate $700,000 to the city of San Diego's Small Business Relief Fund in order to help businesses in historically underserved communities.
According to the city, the funding would aid recovery efforts through specialized outreach, technical assistance and direct grants to hundreds of business owners.
For the full story and a link to the live stream, click here.
San Diego County officials zero in on Pacific Beach as COVID cases surge
It’s been two weeks since the governor ordered bars to shut down across the state. But county health officials pointed to Pacific Beach bars this week as one reason for the region's surge in COVID-19 cases.
July 28
Scam artists hard at work targeting job seekers hit by pandemic
As more and more Americans find themselves unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, they are desperately turning to the internet to search for a new job. At the same time, scam artists are hard at work.preying on their vulnerable state.
Proposal made to allow waivers for in-person learning in San Diego Unified School District
A proposal to put students back in the classroom under a waiver will be put forth in front of the San Diego Unified School board on Tuesday.
Under City Councilmember Chris Cate’s proposal, he is asking the board to consider a waiver that would allow schools to open on campus once the county is off the state’s monitoring list for 14 consecutive days.
San Diego youth trying to combat COVID-19, misinformation about virus
While the coronavirus is mostly talked about having an effect on the elderly and vulnerable populations, younger people are now making up a large part of new infections. Some in the age group in San Diego are now trying to combat the spread of the virus and misinformation about it.
What to expect from COVID-19 vaccine trial as San Diego residents are asked to participate
San Diegans are being asked to participate in a Phase 3 trial that's taking place at UC San Diego to test the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine. So what can you expect if you volunteer? News 8's Steve Price spoke with a man in Seattle who already has the vaccine in his system.
San Diego City Council votes in favor of extending rent repayment deadline, 2nd approval will be needed
The San Diego City Council voted in favor Tuesday of extending the rent repayment deadline for local tenants unable to pay due to the coronavirus virus pandemic. The proposal to move the deadline to Dec. 30, 2020, passed by a vote of 5-4, but because it did not receive six votes in favor, it will need a second council approval at a future meeting, according to the council's communications Twitter account.
The previous payment deadline was Sept. 25.
'Vote Safer San Diego' campaign encourages voting by mail
We are less than 100 days away from Election Day and both state and local government have launched a new campaign to vote safely during this pandemic.
"There are some pretty big changes for this upcoming November election due to the pandemic," said Registrar of Voters Michael Vu.
For starters, everyone will get a mail-in ballot.
San Diego City Council president to propose extending rent repayment period
San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez on Tuesday will propose extending until March the deadline for residents to make up rent payments missed due to economic hardship brought on by the coronavirus.
Gomez will ask for council support at Tuesday's scheduled council meeting to extend the rent-payment deadline until March 31, according to a statement from her office.
View all News 8 coverage of coronavirus / COVID-19
News 8 has joined forces with The San Diego Foundation to raise immediate, emergency funds for our most vulnerable neighbors in need. Here is how you can help.
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 disinfectantsexternal icon 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 temperatureif 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.