County nearly in Purple Tier

(Nov. 4) After weeks of being on the edge of entering the Purple Tier, San Diego County’s adjusted case rate rose above 7.0 cases per 100,000, landing the region for one week in the state’s most restrictive COVID-19 level.

While the adjusted case rate increased from 6.5 to 7.4 in the past week, the County remains for now in the Red Tier, or Tier 2, of activity restrictions. Should the rate continue to be above 7.0 cases per 100,000 residents for a second week in a row, restaurants, gyms, churches, theaters and other locations will need to end indoor operations under state guidance.

“The region now is in greater danger of moving into the most restrictive tier, which would mean that indoor activities would cease,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.

The state’s health equity metric, which looks at the testing positivity for areas with the lowest healthy conditions, increased slightly from 5.1% to 5.3% which is in the Red Tier. This metric does not on its own allow counties to advance a tier or move to one more restrictive level.

The testing positivity percentage dropped from 3.5% to 3.2%, keeping this metric in the Orange Tier or Tier 3.

Wooten urged San Diegans to follow the local health guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19. That includes:

Washing your hands
Keeping six feet apart from others
Wearing a face covering
Avoiding crowds and large gatherings
Staying home if you’re sick

“San Diegans need to be more dedicated to taking preventing measures to get the region out of the Purple Tier should the County fall into it,” Wooten said. “We know these measures work to prevent COVID-19 and to slow the pandemic.”

The California Department of Public Health assesses counties on a weekly basis. The next report is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Community Setting Outbreaks:

Seven new community outbreaks were confirmed on Nov. 3: three in restaurant/bar settings, two in business settings, one in grocery setting and one in a health care setting.
In the past seven days (Oct. 28 through Nov. 3), 25 community outbreaks were confirmed.
The number of community outbreaks remains above the trigger of seven or more in seven days.
A community setting outbreak is defined as three or more COVID-19 cases in a setting and in people of different households over the past 14 days.

Testing:

15,345 tests were reported to the County on Nov. 3, and the percentage of new laboratory-confirmed cases was 3%.
The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive cases is 3%. Target is less than 8.0%.
The 7-day, daily average of tests is 12,073.
People with and without symptoms who are at higher risk for COVID-19 should be tested. Health care and essential workers should also get a test, as well as people who had close contact to a positive case or live in communities that are being highly impacted.

Cases:

404 new cases were confirmed among San Diego County residents on Nov. 3. The region’s total is now 58,106.
3,983 or 6.9% of all cases have required hospitalization.
921 or 1.6% of all cases and 23.1% of hospitalized cases had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.

Deaths:

Three new deaths were reported in the County on Nov. 3. The region’s total is now 904.
Two women and one man died between Oct. 28 and Nov. 1. Their ages ranged from late 50s to late 80s.
All but one had underlying medical conditions.