The pattern of increases in the number of positive coronavirus cases in San Diego County from day to day continues.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the number of total cases stood at 297, with 277 of them people who live in San Diego County.. Dr. Eric McDonald said that the county will no longer report cases involving non-San Diego County residents to prevent double counting across the state.
Dr. McDonald said that about 20 percent of people who have become infected with the virus as of the end of the day Tuesday had been hospitalized with about 9 percent requiring intensive care. He said the case distribution is consistent with what has been seen in other regions with the highest percentage of people getting the virus between the ages of 20 to 50.
He said older people and/or those with some underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of developing complications. The youngest patient is 6 weeks old and the oldest patient is over 80.
Health officials said Wednesday the number of COVID-19 cases is probably just a fraction of the actual number of positive cases in the county due to the limited number of tests. Dr. McDonald said that within the next week the number of tests in hospitals will increase dramatically and as more testing facilities come online.
Dr. McDonald urged county residents to continue to comply with the statewide stay-at-home order and practice social distancing. He said that without complying, the number of cases could double every three days.
CLICK HERE to see County's Daily Coronavirus Report.
(Photo credit San Diego County Newscenter)