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Coronavirus in San Diego and California: Sept. 3 - 5, 2020

This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Sept. 3 - 5, 2020

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Sept. 3 - 5, 2020.  Click here for real-time updates for Sept. 6, 2020 and on.  

Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:

Sept. 5

San Diego County passes 40k COVID-19 cases, 704 deaths

San Diego County public health officials have reported 443 new COVID-19 cases and three additional deaths from the illness, raising the county's cumulative tally to 40,342 cases and 704 fatalities.

Two women and a man died between July 29 and Sept 3. Their ages ranged from early 70s to early 80s. All three had underlying medical conditions.

For the full number breakdown, click here

SDSU issues ‘stay at home’ order for all students on or near the campus

San Diego State University issued a stay-at-home order today for students living in on-campus residence halls, asking them to stay in their current residences except for essential needs throughout the weekend as the school battles an outbreak of the coronavirus.

The order goes into effect at 10 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

For the full story, click here

Sept. 4

San Diego County reports highest daily positive COVID-19 cases since 551 reported on Aug. 7 

San Diego County public health officials reported 453 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death from the illness today, raising the county's cumulative totals to 39,899 cases and 701 fatalities.

The number of new cases is the most since 551 were reported Aug. 7, with the vast majority of the new infections confirmed to have started on days before businesses reopened this week.

"This news is a reminder that we all have a role in keeping the infection rate

Of 7,554 tests reported Friday, 6% returned positive, raising the county's 14-day rolling positive testing rate to 4%, well below the state's 8% guideline. The seven-day average number of tests performed in the county is 7,009.

Read the full story here.

SDSU confirmed 120 cases Friday, 184 since August 24

On Friday, San Diego State reported 120 students tested positive for coronavirus in the last two days.

This brings the total number of students to 184 since the start of the semester.

SDSU said the County Health and Human Services Department is working to investigate 14 different clusters of the virus in various off-campus locations in the College Area.

Read the full story here.

More museums to open in Balboa Park in time for Labor Day weekend

Needing something to do this Labor Day weekend? Why not stay cool by heading down to Balboa Park and taking in one of the many museums that are reopening this weekend.

For the full list of attractions reopening, click here

Sept. 3

UC San Diego starts new COVID-19 vaccine trial Sept. 8

As the White House pushes for a COVID-19 vaccine by early November, some in the medical community are pushing back, saying that timeline is too soon. This comes as UC San Diego Health rolls out a new vaccine trial starting Sept. 8 and is seeking participants nationwide. 

Click here for the full story.

San Diego County health officials report 325 new COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths 

Under the new state monitoring metrics, San Diego County remains in Tier 2, also referred to as the Red Tier. San Diego’s state-calculated case rate is 5.8 and the testing positivity percentage is 3.8%.

Five new COVID-19 deaths were reported in San Diego County on Sept. 2. The region’s total is now 700. 325 new cases were confirmed among San Diego County residents on Sept. 2 for a total of 39,446. 

Click here for the full story.

Carlsbad suspends fees for outdoor permits during COVID-19 pandemic

The city of Carlsbad announced it was temporarily suspending its collection fees for sidewalk cafes, outdoor displays and curbside cafe permits to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This suspension of permit fees also means reimbursement of around $8,000 to businesses that paid for these types of permits since March 1 of this year. Fee reimbursement and the revenue offset from the suspension of fee collection will be funded from the Economic Recovery and Revitalization Initiative funds. Of those funds, $175,000 remains for contingency or future city council actions.

For the full story, click here

San Diego Unified calls on federal lawmakers to pass HEROES Act

San Diego Unified School District called on federal lawmakers to provide additional funding as the district deals with the challenges of a pandemic.

District leaders called on the Senate to pass the HEROES Act. SDUSD as well as other districts say they need additional federal funding for safety precautions needed during the pandemic and for resources to help curb learning loss that occurred during last school years virtual classes.

For the full story or to watch the press conference, click here.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.

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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