9 COVID-19 deaths reported; 3 protesters arrested

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Nine more COVID-19 deaths were reported today by San Diego County health officials, for a total of 111.

There were 117 new positive cases reported, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 2,943.

The number of hospitalizations increased by 25 patients to 683 and the number of intensive care placements increased by 7 to 225.

The highest number of cases, 576, were people between the ages of 50- 59 years. The second-highest, 555, were those in the 30-39 age range. The third-highest, 515, were those in the 40-49 age range.

In Encinitas, three people were arrested and cited during a rally at Moonlight Beach, organized to protest beach closures and stay-at-home orders.

The three were cited for violating the stay-at-home order and congregating on a closed beach, according to Lt. Amber Baggs of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

"Several protesters walked onto the beach and sat as deputies began speaking to them regarding the county public health order,'' Baggs said. "The people were given multiple opportunities to comply with the state and county

orders. Three attendees refused and were arrested.''

Protesters marched toward Swami's Beach Park, and once there, began to disperse and left the area without incident about noon, Baggs said.

"The Surf's Up Shred the Tidal Wave of Tyranny'' protest, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, was organized by Crista Anne Curtis, who led a similar protest last week.

Another protest was planned for Sunday at the Pacific Beach lifeguard station at 700 Grand Ave. starting at 1 p.m.

Dubbed "A Day of Liberty San Diego Freedom Rally,'' the protest is being organized by Naomi Soria, according to social media posts announcing the rally. Soria organized last week's downtown San Diego rally.

Meanwhile, at a news conference Saturday morning in front of a Lifeguard tower in Mission Beach, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Police Chief David Nisleit and San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland went over the rules regarding the lifting of some beach restrictions, scheduled for Monday at sunrise.

Phase 1 of the beach re-opening plan, announced Friday, restricts group gatherings, parking and lying down to soak up the sun.

"In Phase 1, we get to run, we get to swim, we get to walk on the beach and you get to fish,'' Gartland said. ``You come to the beach, you get your exercise, then you go back and follow the stay-at-home order.''

Gartland said there is no recreational boating allowed at this time, but it would be part of the Phase 2 plan.

Faulconer praised San Diego residents for following the rules at city parks earlier this week, which has led to Monday's planned re-opening of beaches.

"San Diegans have done a very good job this past week, with our neighborhood parks, adhering to all the social distancing,'' Faulconer said. "It's going to be incredibly important for Phase 1 that that spirit, cooperation and adherence transfers over to Phase 1 of the beach openings.''

Nisleit asked that beachgoers on Monday follow the social-distancing rules.

"What I need is cooperation,'' Nisleit said. "So you will see law enforcement, you'll see our beach team out here to enforce physical distancing, face coverings.

"The more we do this, the more we can go on to Phase 2,'' Nisleit said. "No sitting on the beach and no loitering on the beach. For those that want to refuse, they will be cited. We don't want to do that, but we need people to adhere to the rules. It allows us to get to Phase 2 and beyond. The better cooperation, the sooner we do that.''

As for the weekend protests, Nisleit said he supports the right to protest, but noted that some beach restrictions will be lifted Monday, and urged Sunday's protesters to stay at home and wait one day.

Officials in the beach cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach say they will not reopen beaches Monday.

Health officials announced on Friday that starting May 1, people within six feet of a non-household member must wear a facial covering. The new measure comes after a week in which south county cities saw a spike in cases

and north county cities saw a greater call to open public spaces.

The second health order on facial coverings follows Chula Vista and National City requiring facial coverings.

"But we're encouraging it immediately,'' said County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.

Fletcher mentioned concern with the high number of cases south of the border and said local leaders are asking for more strict testing for those crossing into the United States from Mexico. According to officials, a higher rate of cases in south county towns and in the Otay Mesa Detention Center may be related to those crossing the border. More than 200,000 American citizens live in northern Baja California, Fletcher said.

The county is calling for federal assistance to take people's temperatures at the border and help enforce a mandatory two-week quarantine period for anyone taking nonessential international trips.

County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar has reached out to Vice President Mike Pence asking for help at the border, and the county has set up two drive-through testing facilities, in Escondido and Chula Vista, to provide greater and quicker testing capabilities to the public. The facilities will open Monday morning and are by appointment only, which can be made through a physician or by calling the county's 211 line.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Friday that vehicle SENTRI lanes at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry will close two hours earlier starting Sunday as result of decreased traffic volume.

SENTRI is the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection that provides expedited border processing of pre-approved travelers considered low-risk. Starting Sunday, new operating hours for SENTRI vehicle lanes will be from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.