San Diego County health officials say the growing number of positive coronavirus tests among San Diego State University students puts the county at risk of reverting back to the most restrictive tier of COVID closings.
The county's latest case rate is 7.9 in a report from the California Department of Public Health, which is above the limit of 7.0 cases per 100,000 residents which if it remains at that level for another week, could mean a a move backwards from the state's Red Tier to the Purple Tier. If that happens, it would mean restaurants, churches, movie theaters, museums and gyms could not have any activity indoors as they can under the current tier..
On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom and Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s Health and Human Services Secretary, said the number of coronavirus cases among SDSU students will not be removed from the state's calculations as part of the state's new color-coded system of determining reopening status of businesses and places of worship in San Diego County.
As of Wednesday, there were 676 confirmed or probable cases of the virus among SDSU students, mostly in on-campus housing or in private housing in the College area. .
SDSU Announces Mandatory Testing
San Diego State officials said Tuesday a new mandatory coronavirus testing program for all students now living on campus is being implemented.
The mandatory program began Wednesday as the number of coronavirus cases among SDSU students neared 700 since the start of the fall semester August 24th. Free testing on a voluntary basis has been available since Aug. 11th.
From Wednesday through Saturday, the university plans to test at least 2,400 students living in its residence halls and apartments with a goal of about 500 tests per day. SDSU says it also will continue to encourage students who live off campus to get tested.
SEE DAILY SAN DIEGO COUNTY CORONAVIRUS REPORT.
(Photo reporting partner 10News)