SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from July 30 - Aug. 1, 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Aug. 2, 2020 and on.
Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:
- There are 29,577 confirmed cases in San Diego County and 565 reported deaths.
- There are 493,558 confirmed cases in California and 9,005 reported deaths.
- View San Diego County cases by zip code or city and find local testing sites.
- Click here for previous updates.
August 1
529 new cases, 4 new COVID-19 deaths in San Diego County
San Diego County public health officials Saturday reported 529 newly confirmed cases and four additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the county's totals to 29,577 cases and 565 deaths.
Three new community outbreaks of COVID-19 were identified Friday, raising the number of outbreaks in the past week to 40. One outbreak was in a restaurant/bar, another in a gym, the other in a government setting.
San Diego Loyal SC set to resume play after coronavirus-related postponement
San Diego Loyal SC is scheduled to resume play Saturday night, facing Sacramento Republic FC at Torero Stadium three days after both teams had games postponed because of positive coronavirus tests by LA Galaxy II. The 7 p.m. game will be televised by The CW San Diego
July 31
San Diego County coronavirus cases top 29,000
San Diego County public health officials reported 13 new community outbreaks of COVID-19 today, raising the number of outbreaks in the past week to 38.
Three of the outbreaks were reported in business settings, three in restaurants, two in restaurant/bar settings, two in hotel/resort/spa settings,
one in a health care facility, one in a faith-based setting and one in a
grocery store.
San Diego Unified Superintendent breaks down the district's new online learning plan
Superintendent Cindy Marten broke down the new plan and gave assurances that online learning will work better than it did in the spring. Parts of the new plan include that children will be graded on progress and there will be a six-hour school day every day.
For the full interview, click here.
July 30
San Diego Unified School District announces online learning plan
With the new school year to start in about a month, the San Diego Unified School District announced it has solidified an online learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year Thursday night with the support of its leaders and teachers union. According to the district, the learning experience was designed with input from educators, parents, and students and is meant to feel similar to a traditional school year. The district announced some aspects of the plan Thursday with more details to come Aug. 10.
Special needs salon says it's impossible to operate outside under California rules
When Governor Gavin Newsom amended his mandate for beauty salons to open for business as long as it is done outside it shifted salon owners to adapt.
But one business owner argued the new outdoor guidelines are discriminating against her special needs clients.
Amy Mullins, owner of tHAIRrapy Hair Salon in San Diego, said her clients with autism and special needs are being left in the dark.
In-class or virtual? Poway parents have a big decision to make
Thousands of local families have to make a major decision when it comes to their children's education, and the deadline is looming.
Poway Unified School District, which pushed back its start date to September 2, is letting parents choose between in-class or virtual instruction for their kids. It's a choice they now must make by Saturday.
San Diego County has nearly doubled COVID-19 cases in the past 30 days
San Diego County public health officials reported 381 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths Thursday, raising the region's totals to 28,668 cases and 558 deaths.
On June 30, the county had reported a total of 14,623 cases. It has nearly doubled its total in 30 days.
San Diego County's 14-day case rate stands at 134.4 per 100,000 population.
Local groups unhappy with county's demographic of contact tracers
Reverend Shane Harris is joining the Chicano Federation in voicing criticism of the county's contact tracing hires. They both believe that the breakdown of contact tracers should not represent the community demographics, but instead, they should represent the demographic of people impacted by the virus.
San Diego County looking at businesses violating health order
San Diego County health officials are reporting 282 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths, raising the county's totals to 28,287 cases and 552 deaths as of Wednesday.
View all News 8 coverage of coronavirus / COVID-19
News 8 has joined forces with The San Diego Foundation to raise immediate, emergency funds for our most vulnerable neighbors in need. Here is how you can help.
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, "CO" stands for "corona," "VI" for "virus," and "D" for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:
Know how it spreads:
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Protect yourself and others
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- It’s especially important to wash:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling your cloth face covering
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancingmeasures are difficult to maintain.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.
Monitor your health daily
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- Take your temperatureif symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
As of April 4, 2020, all employees in San Diego County who may have contact with the public in any grocery store, pharmacy/drug store, restaurant or food establishments, convenience store or gas station are required to wear a cloth face covering while at work as an additional measure to help “flatten the curve” in the San Diego region.
As of May 1, San Diego County requires everyone in the county to wear face coverings in many public settings. The coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are part of our path to reopening San Diego. See full health order here.
While officials say these face coverings are not a substitute for practices like social distancing and handwashing, there is evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission. Officials do not recommend the public use N-95 or surgical masks which are needed by health care workers and first responders.