COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop To 4-Month Low In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — COVID-19 hospitalizations in Riverside County dropped below 300 Friday, reaching a nearly four-month low, while intensive care unit bed capacity recovered to pre-December levels.

According to the Riverside University Health System, coronavirus hospitalizations numbered 279 as of Friday, down from 303 on Thursday, and that includes 66 ICU patients — two less than a day ago.

The last time COVID-positive hospitalizations were at the current level occurred in the second week of November, according to RUHS figures.

Another trend in the right direction — countywide ICU bed capacity reached 19 percent, back to where it was at the end of November and before the governor's stay-at-home order impacting the entire Southern California region. The order, which was canceled in late January, had been implemented in response to increasing patients loads. The threshold established for triggering the order was 15 percent or less overall ICU capacity.

RUHS data shows the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded since the public health documentation period began in March 2020 is 290,904, up 130 from Thursday. Of that total, 278,716 of the cases are recorded as recovered.

The county logged an additional eight deaths, bringing the number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 3,892.

Several announcements were made this week about restarts and reopening, including Disneyland, sports venues, and other live events will likely open April statewide. Also, announcements were made about the restart of youth and adult sports.

On Monday, the Corona-Norco Unified School District re-commenced in-person classes for students in transitional kindergarten to sixth grade under a waiver authorized by the county and state, based on moderating infection rates. Additional school districts are expected to follow this month.

Officials said vaccination of seniors continues to be a priority, but others who qualify under the CDPH Phase 1 guidelines include hospital workers, first responders, food service workers, teachers and some agricultural workers. RUHS Dr. Geoffrey Leung said the guidelines will soon be adjusted to include residents 18 to 64 years old with medical conditions.

The portal to make an appointment for vaccination can be accessed via www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Anyone who needs assistance may also call the county's 211 help line.