SAN DIEGO (CUC) — The number of people hospitalized with coronavirus infections in San Diego County is approaching 400, an increase of 25 from the previous day’s total of 398, according to the latest state data released Wednesday.
Of those patients, 45 were being treated in intensive care, up from 41 on Tuesday.
The county is seeing spikes in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, prompting local public health officials to encourage residents to be more vigilant.
“Due to the increased level of community transmission, including reinfection, we strongly recommend wearing a mask, especially in crowded places or around family, friends and colleagues who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Maybe,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, county deputy public health officer. “Our best bet in preventing hospitalizations and deaths is to stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and to stay isolated from others when sick.”
Fauci and the COVID-19 Task Force warn that the pandemic is not over and encourage masking and boosters. Fauci urged these precautions, saying, “If the virus spreads globally and in this country, variants will continue to emerge. We should not let this become a hindrance in our lives. But we cannot deny that it is a reality that we need to deal with.”
Los Angeles County is already at the CDC’s “moderate” COVID level, based on the high rate of people becoming infected with the virus. If the county’s average daily rate of COVID-positive patients admitted to field hospitals is above 10 per 100,000 residents, it would enter the “high” category.
Dr. Kelly Victory, emergency medicine and disaster specialist, joined KUSI’s Logan Byrnes on “Good Evening San Diego” to discuss the influx of COVID cases.
“I agree that when we return to universal indoor masking to reduce high prevalence, it will feel like a step back for many people,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told the board of supervisors on Tuesday.
But she said universal masking “makes a lot of sense because it helps us reduce the risk.”
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl again supported the idea of requiring masks, saying she had “no patience” for those who would not wear them.