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Coronavirus in San Diego and California: July 28 - 30 (afternoon), 2020

This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from July 28 - 30 (afternoon), 2020

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:

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. 

To see the full story, click here.

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. 

Click here for the full story.

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. 

Click here for the full story.

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.

Click here for the full story.

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.  

Click here for the full story.

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. 

Click here for the full story.

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.

Click here for the full story.

'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.

Click here for the full story.

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.

Click here for the full story.

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 

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

Monitor your health daily

  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • 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.

Violations can be reported online.

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.

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