San Diego (FOX 5/KUSI) — As COVID-19 cases rise across San Diego County, a health care system is tightening mask-wearing rules and public health officials are expanding free testing.
As summer gatherings begin and more people become infected with COVID-19, one San Diego hospital is requiring staff to wear masks to help prevent the spread of the virus over the summer.
San Diego County officials say cases began to rise in late May and early June of this year.
“We’ve seen an increase in COVID cases over the past few years during the summer months, so this spike in cases is not entirely unexpected,” said Dr. Eric Berg, interim medical director for the San Diego County Department of Public Health.
But Dr. Berg says it’s happening sooner than usual.
In the last month, the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests has risen to more than 14%, but that’s not just happening here.
“We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 activity in San Diego County,” Dr. Berg said, “which is broadly in line with the situation in California and other parts of the country.”
Health authorities are keeping a close eye on indicators such as test positivity rates and wastewater detections, which have also been gradually increasing since late May.
As a result, UC San Diego Health became the first large local healthcare institution to reinstate a mask mandate for employees. The school issued the following statement in response:
“Effective July 11, 2024, UC San Diego Health proactively moved into the Yellow Tier based on a system-wide approach that predicted a surge in cases across San Diego County. This decision was based on close monitoring of key COVID indicators, including wastewater surveillance and new case data, which indicate a gradual increase in infection rates within the community.”
“We are committed to providing the highest standards of safety and care to protect the health and well-being of our patients, staff and community. While we are adjusting our protocols based on the current situation, we ask everyone to continue practicing safety measures such as wearing a mask, proper hand hygiene and avoiding crowded indoor spaces.”
The county has made more slots available for free testing at its main public health centres. Reservations are highly recommendedWalk-ins are also accepted based on availability.
- Chubu Regional Health Center
- 1501 Market Street, San Diego
- Phone: 619-932-8398
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 9:00AM – 12:00PM
- 12:30pm – 2pm
- Southern Regional Health Center
- 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista
- Phone: 619-904-0839
- Monday through Friday
- 9:00AM – 12:00PM
- 12:30pm – 2pm
- Eastern Regional Health Center
- 460 N. Magnolia Ave., State A, El Cajon
- Phone: 619-932-8398
- Tuesday and Thursday
- 9:00AM – 12:00PM
- 12:30pm – 2pm
