SAN DIEGO — On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., San Diego County gave an update on COVID-19. You can watch the entire update here.
Supervisor Nathan Fletcher reiterated that for the time being, shopping malls are only open for pick-up and delivery. This includes strip malls and outlet malls. Car washes, pet grooming salons, and outdoor museums are open with safety modifications in place. Restaurants are not currently open for in-person dining, but restaurant owners are encouraged to start preparing to modify their safety standards for when that unknown reopening date comes.
San Diego County has tested 84,556 people for COVID-19, with 2,440 patients receiving a test on Monday, May 11 alone. Dr. Wilma Wooten announced that 5,161 people have tested positive countywide.
"Thank you to all of our San Diego residents who have cooperated with the local health officer order," said Wooten.
There are three state testing sites - one at Grossmont College, one in Escondido, and one in Chula Vista. People do not need a referral nor health insurance to make an appointment.
190 people have died from COVID-19 countywide.
“Those are 15 lives and 15 families that have been struck by this,” said Fletcher.
The new deaths were patients between the ages of 56-92 who died between May 7 and May 11. Despite the increase in both diagnoses and deaths, Wooten said people staying home is making a difference.
“The metrics are trending in the right direction,” said Wooten.
Nearly 1,000 people applied to be a contact tracer for the San Diego County, Wooten said. The goal is to have 180 people trained in first round of training, which is currently underway. The county already has 170 case investigators.
Chairman Greg Cox ended the conference by acknowledging nurses on International Nurses Day.
"We certainly give thanks to all of our public health nurses and those in hospitals and clinics fighting this pandemic," said Cox.