San Diego County Reports 13th Consecutive Day of Over 600 New COVID-19 Cases

Photo by Alexander Nguyen

Above: A sign outside the Rock City Smoke Shop in Chula Vista on November 22, 2020, advising customers that masks are required to enter the store.

San Diego County public health officials reported 1,167 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, the 13th day in a row, more than 600 new cases were reported.

A record of 1,478 new COVID-19 cases was reported on Saturday, erasing the previous record of 1,091 set on Friday. There were 939 new cases reported on Sunday. The total number of cases in the county since the pandemic began in March is 72,815.

A total of 22,117 tests were reported on Monday and 5% of them came back positive, bringing the 14-day moving average of positive tests to 5%.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to rise, with 479 hospitalized in the county and 142 in intensive care, more than double the number from a month ago.

Of the total number of cases in the county on Monday, 4,414 – 6.1% – required hospitalization and 994 patients – 1.4% of all cases – required admission to an intensive care unit.

A total of 13 new community outbreaks were confirmed on Monday. In the previous seven days, 61 community outbreaks have been confirmed. A community outbreak is defined as three or more cases of COVID-19 in one setting and in people from different households in the past 14 days.

County health officials attribute the sharp rise in cases to general fatigue from the pandemic and urge the San Diegans to avoid gatherings and take COVID-19 seriously.

“The virus is widespread and every part of our community is affected,” said Dr Wilma Wooten, county public health official.

“Now more than ever, it is essential that the people of San Diegans avoid gatherings and crowds, wear a mask when they are in public, and stay home if they are sick.”

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