With vaccines currently being implemented and hundreds of million of doses projected to be distributed by mid-summer, the hope of making our way through this pandemic seems more promising than ever before. Current hospitalization rates for COVID-19 related causes are starting to fall from their peak in early-to-mid January.
For California and Cathedral City, the months of December and January saw record number of infection cases and deaths due to the coronavirus. On December 1, 2020, Cathedral City had a cumulative total of 2,403 cases of the Coronavirus among our residents and a total of 39 who had passed away from the pandemic since its beginning. By the end of January, those numbers surged to 6,498 coronavirus cases among our residents and 84 who had passed. The two months of December and January equaled more than all of the previous months combined. (https://www.discovercathedralcity.com/covid-19-info/)
Although the numbers are reducing, the risk of infection is just as great as it was at the end of November before the surge. According to Riverside County records, there are approximately 1,300 active cases of the coronavirus in Cathedral City and nearly 61,000 active cases throughout the county. Community spread is considered “widespread.” (https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus)
As we enter our 11th month of dealing with the coronavirus, it is important to continue using all the tools in our toolbox to prevent contracting and slowing the spread of the coronavirus. They are:
- Wear a face mask when around others outside of your immediate household, even around extended family members. (use two layers of masks to improve protection)
- 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. Take advantage of pre-ordering items and pick-up via curbside pick-up
- 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
To determine if you are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine, go to: https://www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine for the latest information.
