Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Newly reported SD County coronavirus cases at lowest point since November

San Diego County is at a four-month low in new coronavirus cases, with just 262 new cases reported on Sunday, Feb. 28.

In the 92028 ZIP code, which includes Rainbow and De Luz, county data shows a case rate of 15.4 coronavirus cases per 100,000 during the week of Feb. 7-13, the most recent week for which data is available – down from 24.5 the prior week. There were 53 new reported COVID-19 cases in 92028 between Feb. 7-13, a noticeable drop from the 84 new cases Jan. 31-Feb. 6, and there have been 3,515 total reported cases since the start of the pandemic.

The county combines Bonsall’s 92003 ZIP code with neighboring Vista, given Bonsall’s low population; that combined area showed a case rate of 18.6 per 100,000 as of Feb. 7-13, down substantially from 41.3 the week prior, and there were 70 new reported COVID-19 cases Feb. 7-13, also a sharp drop from the 155 reported Jan. 31-Feb. 6. The Bonsall-Vista area was showing 4,891 total cases as of March 1.

Feb. 28's countywide coronavirus data increased the cumulative totals in the county to 260,356 cases and 3,303 deaths.

Of 13,819 tests reported by the county, 2% returned positive. The 14- day rolling average remained at 4.4%.

Hospitalizations decreased from 569 on Feb. 25 with 184 people in intensive care beds to 538 hospitalized and 175 in ICU beds Friday. One month ago, there were 1,408 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 408 of whom were in the ICU. There are 53 available, staffed ICU beds in the county.

There were seven community outbreaks reported Sunday, part of 30 in the past week tied to 122 cases.

Meanwhile, a shortage of vaccines has closed San Diego County’s largest vaccination site, the Petco Park COVID-19 vaccination superstation, as of press time March 1. The closure was expected to last through March 2.

According to UC San Diego Health, which runs the county's largest

vaccine site at Petco Park, all appointments for Feb. 27 through March 2 will be rescheduled.

It is the third time in as many weeks that the site has had to close due to vaccine shortages.

The closure comes at an inopportune time, as more than 500,000 emergency services, child care and education and food and agriculture workers were scheduled to be eligible to receive vaccines beginning this week.

On Feb. 24, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher had a positive tone about the direction of the pandemic and vaccine rollout. Cases continue to decrease, as do hospitalizations and positive test results. Yet the demand for vaccines continues to far outpace supply.

The county's existing doses will be largely reserved for second doses. Other vaccination superstations, including the one at Cal State San Marcos, and smaller points of distribution will continue to administer second doses this weekend and into next week, as supplies allow.

On Feb. 24, Fletcher did caution that appointments would not be immediately available to everyone who qualifies.

“We need folks to be patient,'' Fletcher said Wednesday, adding that the county will prioritize K-12 schools in ZIP codes hardest hit by COVID-19.

As part of efforts to spur the reopening of schools, Fletcher said 20% of vaccine doses will be prioritized for teachers and school staff, as opposed to the 10% outlined by state leaders.

The county will set up appointments directly with K-12 school districts, Fletcher said, while all others who fall into phase 1B – including education and child care workers outside of K-12 campuses – can schedule appointments through typical public means such as the county's website.

Of the county's population over the age of 16, 20.5% – or 550,227 people – have received at least one dose and 9.4% – or 251,738 people – have been fully inoculated, the county reported Feb. 27.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Will Fritz can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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