x
Breaking News
More () »

Coronavirus in San Diego and California: Oct. 11 - 13 (afternoon), 2020

This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Oct. 11 - 13 (afternoon), 2020.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Oct. 11 - 13 (afternoon), 2020. Click here for real-time updates for Oct. 13, 2020 and on 

Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:

Oct. 13

San Diego County remains in red tier with 6.8 adjusted case rate

San Diego County avoided being pushed back into the state's most restrictive purple tier Tuesday and will remain in the second -- or red -- tier of the state's four tier COVID-19 reopening plan at 6.8 adjusted case rate per 100,000 residents and a testing positivity percentage of 3.4%, according to data from the state.

Click here for the full story.

UC San Diego partners with National City on COVID-19 vaccine trial

UC San Diego has partnered with National City on a COVID-19 vaccine trial. Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis and the city council unanimously voted in support of hosting one COVID-19 vaccine trial location in National City to strengthen vaccine trial access for the South Bay region.

Click here for the full story.

Oct. 12

Free resources available to help people with disabilities vote from home or at the polls

According to the CDC, one in four adults have a disability. Many of these people live in San Diego County and will want to vote from the safety of home. There are a variety of free resources available to all San Diego County voters, some of which are new this year, from Remote Accessible Vote by Mail to a Ballot Marking Device.

EDD disability claim comes through for Spring Valley man

The claim was approved with help from a state senator. Read more on this man's story.

San Diego County reports 195 new COVID-19 cases, awaits new state data

San Diego County public health officials reported 195 new COVID-19 infections Monday, raising the total to 50,746 cases as the county awaits reopening data from the state tomorrow.

The number of deaths in the region from the illness remains at 826. 

Click here for the full story.

Select in-person classes to resume at San Diego State on Monday

Select in-person classes resumed Monday at San Diego State University. Classes were suspended almost six weeks ago amid a spike in coronavirus cases.

About 2,200 students will attend the classes that are mostly geared toward upper-level and graduate students with course work required for their degrees. Previously, 6,200 students were attending in-person classes when the semester began in August

Click here for the full story.

Oct. 11

San Diego County reports 408 new COVID-19 cases, 1 additional death

 San Diego County public health officials reported 408 new COVID-19 infections and one more death from the illness on Sunday, raising the county's totals to 50,551 cases and 826 fatalities.

The death of one man was noted Saturday. He was in his mid-40s and had an underlying medical condition. 

Click here for the full story.

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 

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 distancing measures 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 disinfectants will work.

Monitor your health daily

  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Take your temperature if 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.

Violations can be reported online.

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.  

Before You Leave, Check This Out