SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Aug. 6 - 8, 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Aug. 9, 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 32,330 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 593 reported deaths.
- There are 545,787 confirmed cases in California and 10,189 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates.
Aug. 8
San Diego County reports 551 new COVID-19 cases, seven deaths
San Diego County health officials Saturday reported 551 new COVID-19 infections and 7 fatalities, raising the county's totals to 32,330 cases and 593 deaths.
The county reported 9,472 tests, 6% of which returned
positive. The 14-day running average is 5.1%. The state's target is fewer than
8% testing positive.
Aug. 7
San Diego County reports 652 new COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths, 2 new outbreaks
San Diego County health officials Friday reported 652 new COVID-19 infections and 3 overnight fatalities, raising the county's totals to 31,779 cases and 583 deaths.
The county reported 11,501 tests Friday, 6% of which returned
positive. The 14-day running average is 4.9%. The state's target is fewer than
8% testing positive.
California surpasses 10,000 people reported dead of COVID-19
California has surpassed 10,000 deaths from the coronavirus, making it the U.S. state with the third-highest deaths since the start of the pandemic.
New York has the highest number of deaths at more than 32,000, followed by New Jersey with nearly 16,000. California is the nation’s most populous state with 40 million people.
Deadline to apply for San Diego rental assistance is Friday
The deadline to apply for a city rental assistance program is nearing. Friday night, applications are due for the City of San Diego COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
In June, the San Diego City Council approved $15.1 million in federal CARES ACT money to help San Diego residents.
The San Diego Housing Commission reported as of Thursday evening, 11,000 people had applied for help and 10,000 were in the process of submitting applications. The commission said the money can help 3,400 to 3,500 people in a lottery. Families with children and those with someone living in the home is 62 and older are prioritized.
Aug. 6
Another mass gathering in San Diego, no one cited for violating the public health order
Video taken in Ocean Beach has gained a lot of attention on social media.
A crowd of hundreds gathered at the drum circle in Veteran's Plaza Wednesday night. Hardly anyone wore masks and there was no social distancing. San Diego police officers eventually broke up the crowd around 10:00 pm, but on Thursday, News 8 learned no one was cited for violating the public health order.
U.S. government lifts level-4 travel advisory
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday revised its travel advisory information. Previously, the agency told U.S. travelers to avoid all nonessential international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it says such travel is fine — but only to about 20 locations.
San Diego County reports 263 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths, 6 new outbreaks
San Diego County health officials Thursday reported 263 new COVID-19 infections and five additional fatalities, raising the county's totals to 31,127 cases and 583 deaths.
The three men and two women died between July 23 and Aug. 4 and ranged in age from 57 to 87. All had underlying medical conditions, according to the health department.
The county reported 11,106 tests Thursday, 2% of which returned positive. The 14-day running average is 4.9%. The state's target is fewer than 8% testing positive.
Of the total positive cases in the county, 2,681 -- or 8.6% -- required hospitalization and 674 -- or 2.2% -- were admitted to an intensive care unit. Officials estimate more than 24,000 people have recovered from the virus.
SDSU fall sports will start after Sept. 26, pending pandemic updates
San Diego State University will not begin any of its fall sports earlier than Sept. 26 due to the ongoing pandemic, the university's athletics department announced Thursday.
This follows guidance from the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors, which decided Wednesday to adjust conference team schedules to allow additional monitoring of ongoing COVID-19 developments and adjustments to keep student-athletes safe.
The SDSU Aztecs football team will shrink its schedule to 10 games and most other fall sports will only play conference opponents.
San Diego company converts shipping containers into COVID-19 'Quik Labs'
A San Diego company wants to convert shipping containers into COVID-19 testing labs by the thousands. In this Zevely Zone, Jeff visited TPT Med Tech's manufacturing center in Chula Vista for a drive through demonstration.
TPT Med Tech is a global technology company that allowed Jeff to simulate two tests they say will be available to the public soon. The company which is headquartered in San Diego is hoping to change the game on COVID-19 testing not only in San Diego but across the globe.
Rural California schools prepare for possible in-person teaching
The vast majority of California’s public and private schools will begin the new academic year remotely as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to mount. But a handful of schools, such as those in Inyo County’s Bishop Unified School District, will be among the first in the state to reinstate physical school reopenings, offering case studies on when and how to safely bring children and adults back to campuses.
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.