COVID cases and hospitalizations are escalating and that has renewed demand for COVID-19 testing. Primary healthcare providers, community health clinics, pharmacies and the County all offer testing. Now the County is reopening some of its former large testing sites, like at San Diego State University, to ease crowds and make access as convenient as possible.
A COVID-19 related spike in overdose deaths in San Diego County has fueled a behavioral health crisis. In 2020, the County reported 457 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. This is a 202% increase in one year, from 151 recorded deaths in 2019.
The County is continuing to expand its efforts to equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines to populations who have suffered the worst outcomes from the pandemic. In February, the County began piloting multiple health-equity focused methods to ensure that eligible County residents who live in the hardest-hit communities can get vaccinated outside of the traditional online appointment system.
The County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to apply for $12 million in additional state funding for the No Place Like Home program.
Here is today’s COVID-19 update from the County Health and Human Services Agency with data through Oct. 16.
Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, CalFresh and General Relief benefit payments for current customers will continue uninterrupted through April, May and June and certain paperwork is deferred until further notice.
Credit: CDC A second San Diego County resident has died from COVID-19, and two infants have been diagnosed with the disease.
