SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Sept. 8 - 10 (afternoon), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Sept. 10, 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 41,608 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 725 reported deaths.
- There are 742,865 confirmed cases in California and 13,978 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates
Sept. 9
New video of Labor Day party on Mission Bay raises 'superspreader event' concerns
Cell phone video captured a massive Labor Day party on Mission Bay over the weekend where hundreds of maskless partiers were seen in the water, on boats, and sharing drinks.
It was everything health officials warned against ahead of the holiday.
Academy of Our Lady of Peace reports 2 cases of COVID-19
In a statement from school officials, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace in North Park reported two cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The school plans to decrease the number of students on campus at any one time due to the cases. For the remainder of the week and into next week, the school said it will do virtual learning only before moving to a hybrid schedule starting Thursday, Sept. 17.
The two cases are not related to one another, according to the school.
Why San Diego County's case rate increased
CDPH initially calculated San Diego had a case rate of 5.8 on August 31. Here's why it's different now.
San Diego State University COVID-19 cases continue to climb
In a full briefing on Wednesday, the county and San Diego State said that 444 SDSU students to date have tested positive for COVID-19, including one student that is hospitalized as of Wednesday, Dr. Eric McDonald said. Dr. J Luke Wood said that around 500 violations have been given for health violations around the College Area since the semester began, an increase of around 50 since before the weekend. Full story here.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bills to help small businesses recover from COVID-19 pandemic
Gov. Newsom was joined by Senator Anna Caballero to signs bills he says will help small businesses recover from COVID-19 pandemic.
After signing the bills, Newsom stepped back up to the podium to give his daily updates on the wildfires in California and the most recent COVID-19 numbers in the state.
To watch the entire speech, click here.
The Cajon Valley Union School District opens in-person classes on Wednesday
The Cajon Valley Union School District is one of several in the area choosing to reopen schools in-person after San Diego County was given the green light by state officials. Starting Wednesday, thousands of east county students will return back to the classroom.
Sept. 8
San Diego State continues to see uptick in COVID-19 cases
As of September 7 at 6 p.m., the university is reporting 396 COVID-19 cases. This in part means San Diego County is inching back toward the "widespread" COVID-19 spread tier.
Governor Newsom gives update on state's response to wildfires and COVID-19
Newsom stood at the podium on Tuesday to update Californians on the many different wildfires raging across the state. He gave the newest burn acreage and containment numbers while reminding people to stay vigilant especially with Santa Ana winds on their way to the region.
He also talked about the new COVID-19 numbers, including more counties moving from purple to red in his color-coded plan.
To see the address in its entirety, click here.
Sweetwater Union High School District to offer free Adult Education courses
The Sweetwater Union High School District announced Tuesday its Adult Education Division will begin offering free career technical education courses in South Bay communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During these unprecedented times, it is our priority to help and support our community through this global pandemic by offering free courses throughout the South Bay," said Audrey Diedorff, a teacher in the adult and continuing education division.
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 distancing measures 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.