The number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County increased by 84 to 603 Monday, but the number of deaths remained at seven.
The figures released Monday were skewed by the inability to send test results to the county government on weekends, according to Dr. Eric McDonald, San Diego County's epidemiology director.
There are 118 San Diego County residents hospitalized because of the coronavirus, including 51 in intensive care, according to figures released by San Diego County.
The diagnoses announced Monday included a second San Diego Police Department officer, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. Four San Diego Fire-Rescue Department firefighters have also been diagnosed with the coronavirus along with a San Diego lifeguard, according to Faulconer.
The largest group of cases reported Monday was the 148 among people ranging in age from 30-39, while the second-largest was the 121 among people ages 20 to 29.
People between the ages of 20 and 49 make up 62% of the county's cases. Four positive results have been found in children under the age of 9, including two infants. Twenty-nine residents over 80 years old have tested positive.
Of the 603 cases, 256 were female and 345 were male, with two patients listed as "unknown" in the data.
County heath officials have seen the results for 8,129 tests, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said, but likely more had been performed before the county required the results of all tests to be reported.
Dr. Nick Yphantides, San Diego County's chief medical officer, reported that four "congregate living sites" -- which can be assisted living facilities, prisons or anywhere where large groups of people congregate in one living location -- have tested positive for 33 cases and include two of the county's deaths from the illness.
Those sites were under strict health protocols and under further investigation, he said.
The risk of contracting the coronavirus disease can increase from vaping and smoking, McDonald said.
"Any lung disease or condition would put you at risk," McDonald said. "We don't have specific cases so far, but our strong recommendation is to use this opportunity to quit."
Despite concerns over hospital space, residents with cardio-vascular troubles or stroke symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical attention, Yphantides said.
"Don't be reluctant to seek care if you need it," he said.
The county will issue a new public health order extending indefinitely all closure orders that were set to expire Tuesday, Fletcher said.
The closure order applies to schools, nonessential businesses, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, he said, and anyone 65 or older should continue to quarantine themselves at home.
