SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from May 28 - June 2 (midday), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for June 2, 2020 and on.
Key facts in San Diego:
- There are 7,554 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 269 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city.
- San Diego County is following California's stay at home order.
- Most San Diego schools have moved to distance learning and students can still receive meals while schools are closed.
- Find testing sites in San Diego county
- Text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get updates from San Diego County.
- Click here for previous daily updates.
Key facts in California:
- California governor issued a statewide stay at home order on March 19.
- There are 113,006 confirmed cases in California and 4,251 deaths, according to the CA Department of Public Health.
- 2,973 Californians are hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 1,053 are in the ICU, according to the CA Department of Public Health.
- 2,012,583 tests have been conducted as of June 1, according to the CA.gov.
- A senior hotline has been set up to answer questions at 833-544-2374.
June 2
What to expect if a contact tracer calls you
If you get a call from a number you don’t recognize, don’t automatically ignore it. The person on the other end could be calling from County Public Health Services to tell you you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
The County has been scaling up its contact tracing efforts as some stay-at-home restrictions are eased and people are out more and heading back to work.
Contact tracing is done by local and state health departments when certain infectious diseases are reported. This is a classic method that public health has been using for decades.
Sitting and sunning now allowed at San Diego County Beaches
As a result of numbers trending in the right direction, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox said passive recreation, like sitting and sunbathing, will be allowed at county beaches beginning Tuesday.
However, County health officials are reminding residents they must maintain physical distancing or wear a face covering when close to others and must remain with members of their own household.
June 1
San Diego County report 73 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths as restrictions ease
The number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County crossed the 7,500 mark Monday, but the death toll remained unchanged at 269.
Public health officials reported 73 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the county total to 7,554.
San Diego County Public Health Services officials also recorded 3,655 coronavirus tests Monday, and said the 73 positive tests comprise 2% of the total number. The county's 14-day rolling average of positive tests is 2.9% of the total number of tests.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, 17.6% of those testing positive have been hospitalized and 5.1% have spent time in intensive care units.
May 30
Supreme Court rejects challenge to limits on church services
A divided Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal by a California church that challenged state limits on attendance at worship services that have been imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Over the dissent of the four more conservative justices, Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s four liberals in turning away a request from the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista.
For the full write up, click here.
May 29
Elementary school students create mural over Zoom
Students in Paradise Hills still found a creative way to finish a mural for their school library. Here's how they did it.
Westfield Malls in San Diego County reopen
Westfield Malls are back open in San Diego after being closed for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. These are the locations that are open.
Mayor Faulconer encourages San Diegans to support Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses
Early Friday evening, Mayor Faulconer said Asian and Pacific Islander businesses and restaurants have been hit hard during the pandemic and need public support.
“Diversity, of course, is one of our city’s biggest strengths,” said Faulconer.
City Councilmember Chris Cate, who is Filipino American, said the contributions from the city's Asian Pacific community are "monumental."
"I truly hope and encourage San Diegans to continue to support our Asian Pacific restaurants and businesses, and celebrate our culturally rich and vibrant communities," said Cate.
County supervisors consider eviction ban next week
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors Greg Cox and County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher released a joint statement Friday announcing they planned to ask the Board of Supervisors to extend its moratorium on evictions for both residents and small businesses for another month.
"We are proposing extending San Diego County's eviction moratorium for residents and small businesses through June 30th," the supervisors said in the release. "Our region is slowly recovering from the severe economic damage caused by the pandemic. Although more businesses are reopening, it is going to take time for merchants and their employees who have been out of work to rebuild their bank accounts enough to pay their rent. This will give residential and commercial renters more time to get back on their feet. But we are encouraging renters to pay as much rent as they can and set-up a payment program with their landlords."
The current moratorium expires May 31 and the extension will apply only to unincorporated areas of the county. The board will vote on the issue during its Tuesday meeting. Read the full story here.
Newsom stresses localism in Friday briefing
On the subject of COVID-19, Newsom stressed localism, saying that the state of California gives out guidelines on how to reopen. Then, it's up to a county's respective public health officers to decide when to open based on data.
"Localism is determinative," Newsom said.
Local civil rights activist in MN to assist family and community after Floyd’s death
San Diego activist, Reverend Shane Harris is in Minneapolis to hand-deliver a letter to the District Attorney. He also will stand with activists as they protest what he calls “a pandemic of racism.”
Harris said, “Now you have an outrage that has built up over the years because people are tired of seeing people killed, shot down, choked to death. And no justice for the families, no justice for the communities, no equal justice.”
For a full report, click here.
Partial restoration of Pacific Surfliner rail service slated
Beginning Monday, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service sidelined by the COVID-19 crisis will be partially restored to Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo.
Next week's adjustments will be the first step to restoring full operation of the line, bringing back service along 100 miles of the 351-mile Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo coastal rail corridor, known as LOSSAN.
For a full list of trains that will be running, click here.
May 28
Ocean Beach man invents temperature stickers that could indicate if someone has a fever
An Ocean Beach man has an invention that might make live, in-person events a reality again someday. After placing the sticker on your hand, the color on the front will change if you are developing a fever. Learn more.
Face shields vs. face masks: Take your pick
To protect yourself from getting coronavirus, some would argue that a face mask would be your best protection, but experts say a face shield offers more protection. So, which is best?
Survivors of COVID-19 have the chance to pay it forward and help save others
A new national campaign called, The Fight Is In Us is urging survivors of coronavirus to donate blood plasma now to prepare for a possible COVID-19 resurgence in the fall.
Survivors do not have to get an antibody test first, they just need documentation proving that they had the disease.
SANDAG study finds sales drop countywide by nearly $2.3 Billion
Taxable sales in the San Diego region were down nearly $2.3 billion in March, according to a San Diego Association of Governments report released Thursday.
The new SANDAG report, "COVID-19 Impact on the San Diego Regional Economy: Consumer Spending," estimates the region's taxable sales went from an average of $5.3 billion each month prior to March 15, down to nearly $3 billion in April. That represents a decrease of about 44% or roughly $2.3 billion. Read the full story here.
Beaches to reopen for passive use on June 2
According to Chairman Greg Cox, next Tuesday, June 2, passive activities will be allowed on beaches. This means people within the same household can relax on a towel or beach chair if they only interact with each other and wear face coverings.
Parking lots and piers will remain closed unless individual jurisdictions decide otherwise. Sports, such as football and volleyball, are still prohibited, per Cox. Here is what we know.
CVS to open seven more drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in San Diego County
The new San Diego County sites are among 91 slated to open across California on Friday, with the ultimate goal of processing up to 1.5 million tests per month nationwide, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity.
Patients will utilize self-swab tests in their car while monitored by pharmacy technicians, who will provide the test kit and instructions. Tests will be sent to an independent third-party lab, with results available in about three days, according to CVS Health.
Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday to schedule an appointment. You can see the list of sites here.
Del Mar Racetrack proposes opening date of July 10
July 10, pending the approval of the California Horse Racing Board.
The state's Horse Racing Board will decide at its June 11 meeting whether to approve the Del Mar racetrack's plan, which would employ a Friday through Sunday race schedule.
For a full rundown of the plan and to see if spectators will be allowed, click here.
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We also have a Frequently Asked Questions page we will continue updating with the latest information and reports.
Click here to watch "Facts Not Fear," a News 8 Special on coronavirus from March 26, 2020.
BACKGROUND
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:
Know how it spreads
There is no vaccine
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus
It is thought to spread mainly from person-person between people in close contact
And believed to be spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
Protect yourself
Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourselves and others
Protect others
Stay home when you are sick
Wear a facemask if you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
If you don't have tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow
Immediately wash your hands after coughing and sneezing
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
You can find information on disinfecting and cleaning on the CDC's How to Protect Yourself page.
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.
The County of San Diego has made face coverings mandatory for those working with the public including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar businesses.
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.