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KPBS Evening Edition

San Diego Reports 1,000-Plus New Coronavirus Cases For Eighth Consecutive Day

A sign advising of coronavirus precautions on the San Diego State University campus. Dec. 8, 2020.
KPBS Staff
A sign advising of coronavirus precautions on the San Diego State University campus. Dec. 8, 2020.

San Diego County reported 1,276 new COVID-19 infections Tuesday, the eighth consecutive day and 16th time in 19 days there have been more than 1,000 new cases.

There were 26 coronavirus deaths announced Tuesday by the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency, one of the highest daily totals.

There have been 95,445 cases and 1,088 deaths in San Diego County since the pandemic began.

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The agency reported 30 new hospitalizations Tuesday, increasing the current total to 899. Nine more patients were placed in intensive care, increasing the current total to 230.

What's driving coronavirus surge? Check out the KPBS Trigger Tracker

Of the 4,430 people hospitalized in the county, 20.2% are due to COVID- 19, and 42% of ICU patients. This compares to 7.5% and 21.3%, one month ago. The county has seen a 208% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past 30 days.

San Diego County had 20% of its ICU beds available Tuesday, a 4- percentage point decrease over Monday as the number of available ICU beds decreased by several dozen.

The agency reported 21,743 tests Tuesday, with 6% testing positive. The 14-day rolling average percentage of positive cases is 7.2%.

Nine new community outbreaks were reported Tuesday. A community setting outbreak is defined as three or more COVID-19 cases in a setting and in people of different households over the past 14 days.

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As coronavirus cases surge, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer officially leaves office Thursday. KPBS spoke with Faulconer about his nearly seven years in office and his potential run for governor in 2022 Meanwhile, state health officials warn about a dangerous spike in coronavirus cases and broad transmission of the virus. As local counties and cities try to grapple with the stay-at-home orders, it’s led to a patchwork of restrictions across the state.