Although it’s a New Year, we are facing the worst coronavirus surge since the pandemic began. As of January 4, 2021, a record number of people requiring hospitalization due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Riverside County was 1,543. That is three times the number of people needing hospital care when you compare it to the summer surge in July. Of those 1543 patients, 330 are in the ICU fighting for lives. 111 people in Riverside County lost their lives to COVID-19 over the weekend.
For Cathedral City, the month of December tied the month of July in the number of Cathedral City residents who died due to COVID-19 at 16 deaths. However, the number of new cases in December was 2,104 compared to 689 new cases in July, the peak of the summer surge. On December 1, 2020, Cathedral City reported 2,403 COVID cases and by the end of December 4,507 cases. We nearly doubled our cases in one month.
The new vaccines offer light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, but it is going to take months before the vaccine can be distributed to the general public. In the meantime, protect your family by listening to the medical experts, and at the present, Stay Home. If you do have to go out of the house for essential items or for work, be sure to follow these important tips:
- 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. 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
