San Diego, CA–New lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections are beginning to decline in the region, but actual case counts may be higher due to the increasing popularity and availability of home antigen tests, results of which are not reported to the County.
In the past week, a total of 29,508 lab-confirmed cases were reported in the region which represents about half of the lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases compared to the week prior when 60,548 COVID-19 lab-confirmed infections were reported.
“It’s important to note that lab-confirmed cases currently only make up a portion of the actual cases in the region, as more and more people rely on home antigen tests,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County public health officer. “Virus activity in the region is likely a lot higher than confirmed cases reflect, so people should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
New hospitalizations in the region have started to decrease in the past week, indicating that the peak of infections from the Omicron variant wave may have occurred.
Meanwhile, the County is reporting an additional 113 deaths since the last update on Jan. 26. Since the beginning of the year, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 225 San Diegans.
