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Coronavirus in San Diego and California: Oct. 8 - 10, 2020

This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Oct. 8 - 10, 2020

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. —  Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Oct. 8 - 10, 2020.  Click here for real-time updates for Oct. 11, 2020 and on.   

Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:

Oct. 10

San Diego County reports 320 COVID-19 Cases, raising total to 50,143

San Diego County public health officials have reported 320 new COVID-19 infections and four more deaths from the illness, raising the county's totals to 50,143 cases, a milestone for the region, and 825 fatalities.

Two women and two men died, and their ages ranged from early to late 60s. Three had underlying medical conditions.

Of the 11,371 tests reported Friday, 3% returned positive, bringing the 14-day rolling average percentage of positive cases to 2.8%. The seven-day daily average of tests was 10,127.

To read the full story, click here

Oct. 9

California eases restrictions on private gatherings

California Department of Public Health released new guidance for public gatherings on Friday evening. The new guidelines go into effect in San Diego County on Saturday, October 1o.

Some of the mandatory requirements listed are:

  • Private gatherings are allowed up to three households.
  • The gatherings must take place outdoors. If at someone’s home, guests may go inside to use a bathroom.
  • Gatherings should be two hours or less.  The longer the duration, the risk of transmission increases.

Read the full story here.

San Diego County reports 357 new COVID-19 cases on Friday

Two new deaths and 357 new cases were confirmed among San Diego County residents on Oct. 8. The region’s total is now 49,823. 

One woman and one man died. Their ages ranged from early 60s to late 90s, both with underlying medical conditions.

13,829 tests were reported to the County on Oct. 8, and the percentage of new laboratory-confirmed cases was 3%.

Oct. 8

Some say California's health inequity metric comes too little too late for communities of color

San Diego County's communities of color have felt the effects of health disparities when it comes to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and treatment. While the statewide metric system could make improvements, some say it would've been helpful months ago. You can read the full story here.

San Diego County reports daily record 19 community outbreaks of COVID-19

A total of 19 community outbreaks were reported Thursday, six in restaurant/bar settings, six in business settings, two in grocery settings, two in restaurants, one in a food processing setting, one in a residence and another in a hair salon/barbershop setting. 

Read the full story here.

Chula Vista Elementary School District board holding special meeting to discuss reopening

A division is growing between teachers and the Chula Vista Elementary School District on when to reopen in-person learning.

On Thursday the School Board plans to meet and address the issue.

The district superintendent originally sent a letter to parents back in September proposing a reopening date of October 26, however, push back from the teacher’s union and a group of parents now have the date up in the air.

To read the full story, 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 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.
  • 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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