Amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the most contagious Delta variant of the virus, the San Diego County Human Services and Health Agency recommends that all San Diego residents wear face masks in indoor public environments.
While vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear covers in the face of most environments, the California Department of Public Health has updated its guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated to strongly encourage continued use of facial covers on the inside.
The guidelines recommend that all Californians, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in an indoor public setting. People who are immunocompromised or at increased risk for serious COVID-19 disease should be particularly cautious, as should people who share a home with someone who is immunocompromised, with an increased risk of serious illness, who is not completely vaccinated or not yet eligible for vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also support indoor masking for vaccinated people, noting that prevention measures at the individual and community level, in addition to vaccination, have been shown to help reduce the spread of SARS- CoV-2.
The new orientation adds to CDPH mandates that require public transport masks, in transportation centers such as airports, inside schools and child care centers, emergency shelters, cooling centers, centers health centers, state and local detention centers and detention centers, homeless shelters, long-term care centers and care centers for adults and the elderly.
In addition, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, shops, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, and state and local government offices serving the public.
“Inner masking, regardless of vaccination status, adds an extra layer of protection and reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” said Wilma J. Wooten, MD, MPH, county public health officer . “If you are not yet fully vaccinated, I urge you to be shot now, so that we can curb the spread of this more contagious strain of COVID-19.”
Free COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the region. They can be found at medical providers, retail pharmacies, community clinics, and county public health centers for people who do not have a medical provider. For a list of locations and more information, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine.
Vaccination progress:
Deaths:
- There have been 25 new deaths since the last report on 18 August. The total for the region is 3,859.
- Between 11 and 22 August 2021, 10 women and 15 men died.
- Six were 80 or older, one was 70, six was 60, nine were 50, and three were 40.
- 20 had underlying medical conditions, two did not and three had a pending medical history.
Cases, case rate and evidence:
- On August 24, 1,327 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county. The total for the region is 327,166.
- The San Diego County case rate per 100,000 residents is 35.2 overall, 9.3 for fully vaccinated people and 66.9 for people who are not fully vaccinated in San Diego.
- On August 24, 16,915 tests were reported in the county and the percentage of new positive cases was 7.8%.
- The continuous percentage of 14 days of positive cases between tests is 7.3%.
Community configuration outbreaks:
- 41 new community outbreaks were confirmed in the last seven days (August 18-24): 12 in business settings, six in restaurants / bars, five in governments, five in TK-12 schools, four in daycare / preschool settings / daycare, two in health services, one in a community organization setting, one in an emergency service, one in a faith-based setting, one in a hotel / resort / spa, one in a restaurant, one in a commercial establishment and one in a social setting.
- The trigger for community outbreaks is more than seven in a 7-day period.
More information:
Data updates a The county coronavirus-sd.com website are published on Wednesdays around 5 p.m.