San Diego County public health officials Friday reported 1,453 new COVID-19 infections and 39 deaths from the virus, including the county’s first pediatric fatality.
The 10-year-old boy who died from the disease had underlying medical conditions, according to Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer.
“This boy’s death is a somber reminder that this pandemic impacts everyone in our community, regardless of their age, and we must do everything we can to protect each other and slow the spread of the virus,” Wooten said.
After Tuesday’s new case totals came in at 926, snapping a 63-day streak with more than 1,000 cases, it appeared the pandemic was ebbing. On Wednesday, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported 968 new cases but 1,598 cases Thursday.
Friday’s report pushed the aggregate coronavirus numbers in the county to 244,069 cases and 2,777 deaths from the disease since the pandemic started.
Of the 23,259 tests reported Friday, 6% returned positive, nudging the 14-day rolling average up slightly to 7.7% from Thursday’s 7.5%. As recently as Jan. 22, the percentage was more than 10%.
The HHSA reported 1,183 patients with COVID-19 in county hospitals, 353 of whom were in intensive care units, a decrease of nearly 400 hospitalized people from two weeks ago and 621 fewer than the record 1,804 patients set Jan. 12.
ICU patients with COVID-19 decreased by 95 in that two-week window. There are 42 available, staffed ICU beds in the county.
As an increasing number of San Diegans get vaccinated against COVID-19, the HHSA is reminding the public that it is too soon to stop using face coverings and social distancing.
To see a map of where vaccines are being distributed and to make an appointment, go to
www.vaccinationsuperstationsd.com.
— City News Service contributed to this article
