Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Oct. 1 - 3, 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Oct. 3, 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 48,200 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 798 reported deaths.
- There are 823,729 confirmed cases in California and 16,120 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates
Oct. 3
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure goes virtual for first time ever
The Susan G. Komen team says, just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean breast cancer care should be put on the backburner. Breast cancer awareness events are still taking place and taking action for your breast health is encouraged.
“Every day in San Diego, six women are diagnosed, and one woman dies of breast cancer” said Meredith Hall-Chand of Susan G. Komen San Diego. Chand is encouraging San Diegans to look into their breast health.
COVID-19 has caused an increase in requests for financial assistance from Komen San Diego. For those affected by COVID-19 and breast cancer, lost jobs, reduced wages the financial burden is greater.
Oct. 2
County sees 28 outbreaks in the last week
San Diego County public health officials reported 306 new cases of COVID-19 and two additional deaths Friday, raising the county's totals to 47,791 cases and 794 fatalities as the city of San Diego plans to reopen its 289 playgrounds.
Two men died -- one on Sept. 26, the other on Sept. 29 -- one in his mid-50s, the other in his mid-80s. Both had underlying medical conditions.
Of the 9,216 tests reported Friday, 3% returned positive, bringing the 14-day rolling average percentage of positive cases to 3%. The state-set target is less than 8%. The seven-day daily average of tests was 9,301.
Of the total number of cases in the county, 3,554 -- or 7.4% -- have required hospitalization and 829 -- or 1.7% of all cases -- had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
Two new community outbreaks were confirmed on Oct. 1, one in a hair salon/barbershop setting, the other a hotel/resort/spa. In the past seven days - - Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 -- 28 community outbreaks were confirmed. The number of community outbreaks remains above the trigger of seven or more in seven days. A community setting outbreak is defined as three or more COVID-19 cases in a setting and in people of different households over the past 14 days.
Mayor Faulconer highlights steps taken to reopen San Diego playgrounds safely
Mayor Kevin Faulconer held a media conference Friday to discuss the safety measures being implemented at San Diego playgrounds, following changes in public health orders by the state to allow for the reopening of playgrounds.
The City of San Diego is implementing safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as it reopens nearly 300 playgrounds citywide for parents and children.
Oct. 1
Imperial County nursing homes hit hard by COVID-19 have histories of violations, poor ratings
Before they battled major coronavirus outbreaks, Imperial County’s nursing homes had track records riddled with infection control issues, inadequate staffing and low facility ratings.
Some violations were more dire: In 2016, staff at Imperial Heights Healthcare and Wellness Centre in Brawley waited 12 hours to inform a hospital that one of its transported residents may have ingested hand sanitizer.
The 82-year-old woman died of acute ethanol intoxication. The facility was fined $6,000.
Students from 10 Poway Unified elementary schools return for in-person learning
Students from 10 Poway elementary schools were back in class Thursday for in-person learning. That’s nearly one-third of Poway Unified’s 36,000 students.
It was treated as a day of celebration at Canyon View Elementary School Thursday morning as kids walked in. There were balloons and smiling faces under masks as parents who opted in to in-person instruction made their way through the drop off line.
San Diego city libraries to reopen in limited capacity with in-person services
Mayor Kevin Faulconer Thursday announced that San Diego Public Libraries would reopen Saturday, Oct. 3, for the first time since mid-March.
A dozen libraries will reopen to the public in a limited capacity accompanied by a new program – SD Access4All – targeted at bridging the digital divide while maintaining existing COVID-19 programs and practices.
San Diego City Councilmembers potentially exposed to COVID-19
San Diego City Councilmembers were potentially exposed to COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson with the city.
An employee who interacted with "in the city council chambers" tested positive for the virus, Craig Gustafson, Director of Communications with the City of San Diego said in a statement to News 8 on Wednesday. He did not identify which councilmembers were exposed but said each person who was in proximity of the person who tested positive was informed.
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.