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Coronavirus in San Diego and California: Sept. 27 - 29 (afternoon), 2020

This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Sept. 27 - 29 (afternoon), 2020

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Editor’s note: This story shows updates about the coronavirus outbreak in San Diego and California from Sept. 27 - 29 (afternoon), 2020.  Click here for real-time updates for Sept. 29, 2020 and on 

Key COVID-19 facts in San Diego and California:

Sept. 29

San Diego County remains in red tier

San Diego County will remain in the red tier for COVID-19 cases, with a state-adjusted case rate of 6.7 per 100,000 residents, the county's public health officer told the Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday.

California officials announced changes to the monitoring system for counties on Tuesday. County public health officials said their unadjusted case rate was above 7.0, at 7.2. However, because testing levels were above the state median testing volume, the county's adjustment level was decreased. 

Click here for the full story.

Grossmont Union High School District reopens to in-person learning

With masks on, temperature checks, and social distancing in check, students at Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD), were back for day one of in-person instruction on Tuesday

Students were welcomed onto campus for a modified version of in-person instruction. CBS 8 spoke with the Superintendent Theresa Kemper and a few students as they walked in for the first time.

Click here for the full story.

Sept. 28

Beyond the Numbers: How can San Diego get to the less restrictive orange tier?

San Diego County is focused on getting into a lower tier under the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. It narrowly avoided going from red to purple, the most restrictive tier, last week.  

At the current rate, the county is unlikely to have a sustained case rate to enter the orange tier before November. Last week, the state calculated San Diego had an adjusted rate of 6.9. It needs to get below 4.0 for 21 consecutive days, or have less than 133 new daily cases, before the county can move tiers.  

Click here for the full story.

San Diego County reports 124 new COVID-19 cases as it awaits state data

San Diego County public health officials confirmed 124 new COVID-19 cases Monday, increasing the region's totals to 46,734 cases as the county awaits the state's data for reopening Tuesday.

The state will hold its weekly update Tuesday, with San Diego last week barely avoiding the dreaded "purple" tier. Under state monitoring metrics, San Diego County is currently in the second tier, or the red tier. The county's state-calculated, adjusted case rate is 6.9 per 100,000 residents. The testing positivity percentage is 3.8%. 

Click here for the full story.

Gov. Newsom gives an update on the COVID pandemic and wildfires in California

Gov. Newsom gave an update on Monday at regarding topics that affect residents of California.  He discussed the major fires currently burning in Northern California. There are some concerns related to COVID-19 and the plateau of cases in many counties as well as some regions that are seeing an uptick in the "R-effective". The effective reproduction number (called R-effective) is the measure of the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual. 

Gov. Newsom reminded everyone that it is critical that every Californian participate in the 2020 Census.  

Watch the full update on Facebook.

U.C. San Diego fall term begins amid rise in COVID-19 cases at other universities

University of California-San Diego students begin virtual and in-person classes for the fall semester Monday. A number of safety precautions have been put in place to protect students and faculty from the spread of COVID-19, according to the university.

The university delayed the start of the fall semester to review best practices and adjust it's Ready to Learn strategy.

Click here for the full story.

Sept. 27

San Diego State COVID-19 cases top 1,000 as UCSD students move in

San Diego State University reported 25 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to 1,072 since Aug. 24, the first day of instruction for the fall semester.

The new totals reported by Student Health Services reflect numbers as of 6 p.m. Saturday.

The cases include 1,051 students, eight faculty and staff members and 13 visitors for a total of 1,072. 

The case mile marker at SDSU came as University of California-San Diego students begin virtual and in-person classes this week.

Click here for the full story.

San Diego County reports 279 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

San Diego County public health officials confirmed 279 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death Sunday, increasing the region's totals to 46,610 cases and 776 fatalities.

The one death was a woman in her late 70s who had an underlying medical condition.

One new community outbreak in a business was confirmed as of Saturday. From Sept. 20 to Sept. 26, 18 community outbreaks were confirmed. The number of community outbreaks remains above the trigger of seven or more in seven days.

The county reported 8,550 tests as of Saturday and the percentage of new laboratory-confirmed cases was 3%.

The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive cases is 3.3%. The target is less than 8%. The seven-day daily average of tests was 8,483. 

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. 

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