SAN DIEGO–The spread of the novel coronavirus has caused the County of San Diego to be flagged by the California Department of Public Health, positioning the region to go on the state’s Watch List and ultimately face new closures if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to go up.
On June 30, the County was flagged because it surpassed the state’s trigger of no more than 100 positive cases per every 100,000 residents. On that day, the rate was 103.8 and rose to 105 July 1.
If the County has another day over that threshold, it will be placed the state’s Watch List on July 3 and monitored for an additional three days.
If the rate does not fall below 100 by July 6, then it would be required to adopt more restrictive measures and close indoor activities for three weeks at restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment centers and cardrooms, museums and zoos.
“If things don’t improve, we will be forced to take these additional measures,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “We all should be wearing a face covering, staying away from others and taking other preventative measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to follow the public health guidance being issued by state and local health officials.
“When people don’t follow the health guidance, they could be putting their lives and the lives of others in danger,” Wooten said.
San Diegans must do the following to protect themselves and the public’s health and keep other sectors of the economy from being closed, public health officials say.
