The San Diego County COVID-19 case total rose rapidly over the weekend and health authorities have reported more than 300 new COVID-19 cases seven times in the past eight days.
County public health officials reported a single-day record of 497 new positive COVID-19 cases and one additional death on Sunday, bringing the county's totals to 13,334 cases and 361 fatalities.
On Friday, the county reported 440 new cases, the highest number until Sunday. The day before, the county reported 436 new cases.
The death reported Sunday was of a woman who was in her early 60s, officials said. The woman had one or more underlying health conditions.
The county recorded 8,301 tests Saturday and 6% were positive new cases. The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive tests is 3.9%.
As of Sunday, 1,747 (13.1%) cases have required hospitalization and 479 (3.6%) of all cases had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
In the past seven days, eight community outbreaks were identified, two more than Saturday, officials said. The number of community outbreaks is above the "trigger" of seven in seven days.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer, said a significant spike in cases could be traced to the periods following restaurants opening, churches allowing services, and the mass protests calling for police reform.
Wooten, suggesting how long the COVID-19 pandemic could impact the region, said it may not be safe for people to have gatherings at their homes "until sometime next year."
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday ordered all bars to close in seven counties, including Los Angeles County, and recommended that eight other counties close their bars as well to limit the rapid spread of coronavirus.
The eight other counties included Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
San Diego County was not included in either list.
The historic Hotel del Coronado reopened Friday after shuttering for the first time in its history.
It will be open at reduced capacity and with fewer amenities.
CVS Health opened no-cost testing sites Friday at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thrus in San Diego County. Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines.
Patients must register in advance to schedule an appointment online.
The testing sites are located at these CVS pharmacies:
— 1810 Main St., Ramona;
— 6265 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; and
— 800 Palm Ave., Imperial Beach.
