Riverside County's Coronavirus Uptick And Possible Shutdowns

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County health officials Wednesday reported 347 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and six additional coronavirus-related deaths, as local residents continued bracing for the return of intensified state-ordered restrictions due to an uptick in infections.

The total number of COVID-19 infections recorded since the public health documentation period began in early March is 62,900, compared to 62,553 on Tuesday, according to the Riverside University Health System. There are now 1,264 fatalities tied to COVID-19 countywide, compared to 1,258 on Tuesday.

The number of patients hospitalized with coronavirus-related symptoms in Riverside County is up to 149, or three more than the day before. That figure includes 45 intensive care unit patients, three more than Tuesday.

The number of verified patient recoveries since is 56,913.

Officials announced Tuesday that Riverside County is at risk of being moved back into the purple tier of the state's coronavirus regulation framework — the most restrictive classification — because of a recent escalation in confirmed cases.

But per the county's request, the California Department of Public Health will leave the county as-is until a one-week review of the county's data can be completed.

CDPH Chief Dr. Mark Ghaly said during Tuesday's COVID-19 briefing that the state agency is "working with Riverside County, looking at their data, making sure we understand it well and that we have a good conversation with them to make sure it's accurate before making any further decisions."

He said analysis, or adjudication process, will be conducted throughout the week to see what, if any, adjustments are needed to the current data streams.

“The aim with the adjudication process is to make the case to the state that we can maintain our current status and still control COVID-19 in our communities,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “Whether or not we stay red or return to purple, we have to get people tested to find cases, and continue to use facial coverings, social distance and avoid gatherings. If we return to purple, we want to get back to red as quickly as we can. If we stay red, we want to progress. We can’t do either of those things without individuals, businesses and institutions working together to reduce spread.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom's color-coded tier system relies on testing thresholds, case positivity rates and so-called "equity" metrics to determine how a county should be classified. Riverside County moved out of the most restrictive purple tier and into the less restrictive red tier last month.

The red tier allows for some indoor businesses to resume operations with limited capacities. More information is available at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

According to the CDPH, the county now has a COVID-19 per-day case count of 8.1 per 100,000 people, but that has been adjusted to 9.2 per 100,000 because testing thresholds are below what the state prefers. Generally, a jurisdiction must fall below a daily count of 7 per 100,000 to qualify for the red tier.

On the other hand, the county's testing positivity rate is 5.9 percent, which is well within the red tier criteria.

“We appreciate the California Department of Public Health for working with Riverside County and granting us this one-week extension in order to make progress on our metrics,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “According to Dr. Christopher Thornberg of the UCR School of Business, the hospitality sector including hotels and restaurants and the retail/service sector such as gas stations, clothing stores and personal care have been the hardest hit as a result of this pandemic. Many people have been laid off, lost their jobs or have had to close their businesses, especially in Riverside County. I ask that we all do our part and continue to adhere to safety precautions in our homes and while out in public. Please wear a mask, social distance and be careful. Let’s not go back a tier and prevent it by also taking the time to test, even without symptoms. Together, we can beat the pandemic and get people back to work.”

Riverside County officials say a return to purple will adversely impact small businesses like restaurants and gyms which were able to provide indoor services after previously being restricted to only outdoor activities in the more restrictive tier.

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