SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — San Diego County officials reported 114 additional cases of COVID-19 and eight additional reported deaths Wednesday bringing the county totals to 6,140 cases and 230 deaths.
The ages of those whose deaths were reported Wednesday ranged from 61 to 99, all of whom had underlying health issues, County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten said.
An estimated 4,089 people have recovered from COVID-19, while a cumulative 1,155 have been hospitalized and 355 have spent some time in intensive care.
County of San Diego supervisors Greg Cox and Nathan Fletcher both reminded locals Wednesday that in-person dining cannot resume at restaurants until it is approved by the state. Cox said that the plan has been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom and the county is awaiting approval.
"So please don't start lining up at your favorite restaurant or shop at stores," Cox said. "As soon as we have the go-ahead, we certainly will let you know."
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the county's plan for an accelerated reopening of San Diego County. In a separate vote, the board passed another item by a vote of 4-1 for San Diego to become a pilot program to open some Stage 3 businesses. Fletcher was the one party who voted against the Stage 3 plan.
If San Diego County is cleared to accelerate into Stage 2 in-person dining and in-person retail shopping with social distancing will be allowed to occur.
Supervisor Fletcher on Wednesday reminded San Diegans to stay vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19 with continued physical distancing, temperature checks by employers, rigorous hand-washing, and wearing facial coverings.
"I know that the face coverings are uncomfortable, at times can be irritating - but rest assured, a face covering is a lot more comfortable than a ventilator," Fletcher said.
Fletcher also said Wednesday that in-person funerals, both indoors and outdoors, will be allowed again, provided every person in attendance wears a face covering and different household units maintain six feet of distancing from each other. He said the county recommends services and memorials be held outside when possible.
Additionally, he said that while houses of worship can open for funerals, they are a one-time situation. Any regularly scheduled religious services are still prohibited in person by California's reopening guidelines.
-------------------------------
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.
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.
