Case rates and hospitalizations continue to surge in San Diego county as health officials reported over 14,000 infections and 11 deaths.
As of Thursday, county health officials released a report which shows 14,437 new Covid-19 infections. Hospitalizations due to the virus spiked to 1,135 and there were 177 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The number of available ICU beds decreased by four to 173.
Hospitalizations tripled within the span of a month from 330 to 1,135, putting a strain on local hospitals.
Many reports come from patients being admitted for another reason and discovering their Covid-19 status from hospital-mandated tests.
A total of 558,356 cases and 4,540 deaths since the start of the pandemic and to date, according to data from the county's Health and Human Services Agency.
A total of 54,809 new tests were reported on Thursday, and the seven-day average positivity rate was 28.8 percent.
Over 2.81 million residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and about 2.49 million are fully vaccinated. The latest figures show 906,615 San Diegans who have received their booster shots.
“Covid-19 vaccinations are the best tool we have against the coronavirus and we need more San Diegans to be boosted,” said Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, county public health officer. “The vaccines help to prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.”
It is recommended by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention that Pfizer or Moderna booster shots should be administered five months after the second dose. A Johnson & Johnson booster is recommended two months after the second dose.
Pfizer boosters have been approved for everyone 12 years and older. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are only available for adults 18 years and older.
County health officials urge residents to avoid testing at emergency centers unless severe symptoms are presented.
