As of Thursday, the county’s average daily rate of hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients had risen to 11.5 per 100,000 residents.
SAN DIEGO — With the number of cases and hospitalizations of the highly infectious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, San Diego County moved to a “high” COVID-19 activity level on Thursday, although unlike Los Angeles County, no Indoor mask-wearing mandate has not been declared.
As of Thursday, the county’s average daily rate of hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients had risen to 11.5 per 100,000 residents. It topped the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s threshold for “high” virus activity.
San Diego was in the moderate-risk category since late May, but recent hospitalizations and new cases have prompted the CDC to raise the risk level for the region.
The county continues to follow the California Department of Public Health’s SMART plan, which recommends vaccinations, mask use, testing, and treatment, among other things.
County Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said, “San Diegans must take every necessary precaution to slow the spread of COVID-19.” “Most San Diegans have been vaccinated, but with this virus, and with the increased prevalence and infectivity of the new forms, a booster is highly recommended, especially for those who are immunocompromised or have other comorbidities.”
On Thursday, the total number of patients in county hospitals with COVID-19 decreased from three to 395, and those in intensive care units by two to 43 – the highest number since the beginning of March. A total of 6.6% of all hospital beds in the county are occupied by people with COVID-19.
The overall case rate for San Diego County is 383.01 per 100,000 residents.
According to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases remain near 10,000 per week, a number that does not include home tests. The HHSA also reported that it has also seen an increase in reinfection – San Diegans who have tested positive for COVID-19 several times during the pandemic. According to national data, prior infection does not necessarily prevent reinfection with some new virus types.
Additionally, hospitalizations for a COVID-related illness also increased by 66% over the past 30 days, the HHSA said last week. New ICU admissions increased by 68% during the same time frame.
The county reported 2,191 new infections and seven virus-related deaths on Thursday, raising the cumulative total to 857,182 and 5,370 deaths.
Health officials have said most of the deaths occurred in people with at least one underlying health condition, mainly high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
More than 3 million or 89.7% of San Diegans aged six months and older are at least partially vaccinated. About 2.65 million or 79.2% are fully vaccinated. Of the total 1,396,563 or 2,418,004 eligible San Diegans, 57.8% have received a booster.
The county only reports COVID data on Mondays and Thursdays.
SEE RELATED: COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Rising in San Diego County (July 8, 2022)