SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from July 23 - 25, 2020. Click here for real-time updates for July 26, 2020, and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 26,701 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 533 reported deaths.
- There are 4445,400 confirmed cases in California and 8,337 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates.
July 25
Racing at Del Mar resumes after COVID-19 cancellations
More races were scheduled at Del Mar on Saturday on the first weekend after three racing dates were canceled because 15 jockeys tested positive for the coronavirus.
Many of the races that had been scheduled for last weekend have been shifted to this weekend. The Grade II $150,000 San Diego Handicap was scheduled for Saturday, and the Grade II $200,000 Eddie Read Stakes on Sunday.
Additional races will be held Monday to make up for one of the canceled days.
July 24
More San Diego businesses closing due to pandemic challenges
Balboa Bar and Grill closed its Bankers Hill location.
CDC releases new guidelines for reopening schools
The CDC released new guidelines. One of the CDC's primary arguments for reopening schools this fall is that K-12 students are less likely to get COVID-19 than adults are, but noted the racial disparities in healthcare.
San Diego County sees new community outbreaks
Twelve new COVID-19 deaths were reported in San Diego County on July 23, and the region’s total is now 524. Four women and eight men died between June 15 and July 22 and their ages ranged from 44 to 88 years of age. All had underlying conditions. Three new community setting outbreaks were reported on July 23, one each at a restaurant/bar, a gym and a church. This makes for 13 outbreaks within the last week.
Governor Newsom addresses Californians on state's response to coronavirus
On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new actions to increase safety that will help keep essential workers safe. The new preventive measures include the following:
- Increasing preventive measures like the ability to quarantine when exposed
- Increasing employer education
- New employer safety handbook
Newsom also said he will continue to work with California legislature and others to expand protections and build on existing executive orders including:
- COVID-19 paid sick leave
- Workers’ compensation access for high-risk industries
- Enforcement of labor laws
- Enforcing employer reporting of outbreaks
For a full video of the address, click here.
Racing at Del Mar to resume after COVID-19 cancellations
Racing is set to resume at Del Mar Friday after three racing dates were canceled because 15 jockeys tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club responded to the positive tests that wiped out racing from July 17-19 by instituting new travel restrictions to include only permitting jockeys based in California to ride and prohibiting all jockeys who leave the track to ride elsewhere from returning to Del Mar for the remainder of the summer racing season.
July 23
2 photos of same woman show pandemic's impact on some nursing home residents
The pandemic has forced many families to sacrifice connections with loved ones who live in nursing homes and care facilities. As we head into month five of no visitors allowed, there's growing concern over the rapid decline in health for some.
The family of 88-year-old Peggy Wall shared two photos that show the stark change in her appearance. One was taken just prior to the pandemic; the other was taken a couple of weeks ago. Peggy's battle during the pandemic is not with COVID-19. Her family said she is suffering from isolation and loneliness.
County-by-county data map shows you the coronavirus risk for events
Wondering how risky it is to attend an event? It all depends on data, where the event is and how many people will be there. Now, you can calculate the risk everyday. Georgia Tech researchers created this free tool.
Will the extra unemployment money be extended?
The additional $600 in unemployment is set to expire on Sunday. Here's how it's impacting Californians.
School Choice Now Act would give families money for education
As federal lawmakers get ready to pass a new stimulus package, more details are being released about a proposed bill within that package that could give families access to thousands of dollars per child to put towards private education.
It's called the School Choice Now Act.
Essentially, if parents don't like what their child's public school is offering, they can use the money to pay for a private school, or even hire their own teacher at home.
San Diego County reports 501 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths
San Diego County public health officials Thursday announced 501 new COVID-19 infections and 7 new deaths, raising the total number of cases to 25,608, and 512 deaths in the region.
One new community setting outbreak was reported on July 22 at a restaurant/bar. In the past seven days, 12 community outbreaks were confirmed.
The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive tests is 6.0% and the target is to stay below than 8.0%.
The percentage of San Diegans testing positive rose to 154.8 per 100,000 residents as of Wednesday's data, well above the state's criterion of 100 per 100,000. Wooten said that to fall below that metric, the county would have to record 234 positive COVID-19 cases or fewer for 14 consecutive days.
San Diego County creates compliance team amid pandemic
As a result of coronavirus numbers that continue to rise, Supervisor Greg Cox announced Wednesday that San Diego County was starting a Safe Reopening Compliance Team that will provide assistance to businesses and residents not in compliance with public health orders.
The team's exact powers were not immediately clear.
"This is a carrot approach, not a stick," Cox said. "But we still have the stick and other tools to ensure compliance."
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 disinfectantsexternal icon 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.