Now is definitely not the time to let your guard down when it comes to protecting your family from contracting the Coronavirus. Yesterday, Cathedral City had its highest record number of a one day total since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Cathedral City had an increase of 222 confirmed cases. There is speculation, though, that a backlog of other day totals was included in yesterday’s numbers. Even if that is true, Cathedral City has had a 15.5% increase in total number of COVID-19 cases since December 1st. As of the first of the month, Cathedral City had a cumulative combined total of 2,405 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. As of yesterday, that number soared to 2,772 with 2,135 recovered patients, leaving 637 active COVID-19 cases in our city according to data from Riverside University Health Systems. And unfortunately, two Cathedral City residents lost their battle with COVID-19 since December 1st.
Our city is not an anomaly to this crisis. Other Valley cities are reporting similar results. Riverside County as a whole has seen a 21.7% increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases since December 1st. Riverside County went from 84,824 confirmed cases on December 1st to 103, 221 confirmed cases as of yesterday, leaving a total of 33,887 active cases.
Hospitalization rates have soared since December 1st as well. Riverside County hospitals have seen a 22% increase in the number of people being hospitalized since the beginning of December going from 600 patients to 733 patients. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU have increased as well by 13.3%, going from 127 patients on December 1st to 144 as of yesterday.
To protect your family from the Coronavirus, practice these current best tools available:
- Wear a face mask when around others outside of your immediate household, even around extended family members
- If meeting others outside of your immediate household, try to meet outdoors.
- Social distance at least 6 feet away from others outside of your immediate household
- Limit your shopping in person to as few times each week as possible and avoid extended time inside a retail store, such as a grocery store.
- Wash your hands often throughout the day and especially before eating and drinking
- Disinfect often touched items like a smartphone that also touches your face
Following these important steps can significantly mitigate your chances of acquiring the coronavirus and protect you from spreading it to others.
