Here is a list of the major developments in the coronavirus epidemic facing San Diego County, updated at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17.
• There have been 2,158 cases and 70 deaths among San Diego County residents as of Friday afternoon.
• Across California there have been 27,528 cases and 985 deaths as of Friday afternoon.
• Across the United States, there have been 699,105 cases and 36,721 deaths as of Friday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University.
• San Diego County officials said it’s time to begin planning for how to reopen the local economy as 71 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths were reported.
• City and county elected officials announced the creation of an advisory group to develop strategies for an eventual phased re-opening of the San Diego economy.
• Comic-Con International on Friday officially canceled Comic-Con 2020, but vowed that the world-famous pop culture event will return to the San Diego Convention Center in 2021.
• City Councilwoman Barbara Bry on Friday called for San Diego’s beaches and parks to be reopened as soon as the first week of May.
• Physicians and scientists at UC San Diego Health announced they began a pair of tests to find coronavirus antibodies.
• Cox Communications will offer free online service for low-income families with a student in elementary, middle or high school.
• San Diego distillery Cutwater Spirits leased a 48,000-square-foot building in the Miramar neighborhood to expand its production, including that of hand sanitizer.
• Hundreds of San Diego climate activists and groups are expected to take part in a Virtual Climate Uprising set for April 22, the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day.
• The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District board meeting at 5:15 p.m. April 21 will be its first live-streamed on YouTube. Virtual monthly board meetings will continue until stay-at-home orders are lifted by the state.
• MiraCosta College secured more than $5.5 million for students suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Times of San Diego’s weekend guide focuses on how to stay entertained — and help struggling arts organizations — during the pandemic.
• Columnist Raoul Lowery Contreras congratulates Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state of California for providing benefits to the undocumented workers we depend on during the pandemic.
If your organization has relevant news to add to this daily list, please send to news@timesofsandiego.com.