California has recorded more than 5,000 COVID-19 deaths
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — California has recorded more than 5,000 COVID-19 deaths as cases continue to climb in several parts of the state.
On Sunday, the state Department of Public Health reported 148,855 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 5,063 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Last week, nine counties reported a spike in new cases or hospitalizations, some from Memorial Day holiday gatherings and others from prisons and nursing homes.
San Diego County health officials Sunday reported 126 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths, bringing the county total number of cases to 9,440 with the death toll remaining at 319.
Of the 6,751 tests reported to the county, 2% were positive new cases. The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive tests is 2.9%.
Among those testing positive, 1,519 cases have required hospitalization and 426 had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
The state is gradually reopening after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order on March 19. Retail stores and restaurants, then churches and hair salons were allowed to reopen with restrictions.
On Friday, hotels, zoos, museums and movie theaters were among the businesses cleared to reopen.
Guidance from the state late Thursday night allowed County Supervisor Greg Cox to announce nail salons, tattoo shops, massage therapists, and personal care businesses — such as waxing services — will be allowed to open June 19.
Sanitizing and facial coverings at these businesses will be especially important due to the physical proximity of the work, Cox said, offering a word of caution as more businesses open their doors: “We can’t let reopenings lead to a surge in cases that will ruin everything we have done in the last several months.”
County Supervisor Jim Desmond joined Good Morning San Diego Monday to discuss the reopenings and mask restrictions. “Personally, I don’t like the masks, I’d like to see the restrictions eased, but the masks have allowed more businesses to be opened in San Diego County,” said Desmond.
Supervisor Kristin Gaspar also visited Good Morning San Diego on Monday to discuss what San Diegans can expect to see over the coming weeks with the reopening of our local economy. “While much progress has been made over the past several weeks, San Diegans still have many unanswered questions about when restrictions will be lifted on gatherings, weddings, high school sports, and facial coverings,” said Gaspar.
The county also announced the launch of a new interactive website, which will allow residents to find COVID-19 testing locations near them at 211sandiego.org.
