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Coronavirus Deaths In San Diego County Surpass 300 Mark

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is seen in yellow, emerging from cells (in blue and pink) cultured in the lab. This image is from a scanning electron microscope.
National Institutes of Health
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is seen in yellow, emerging from cells (in blue and pink) cultured in the lab. This image is from a scanning electron microscope.

Another grim milestone was crossed Tuesday, as San Diego County health officials reported five new deaths from the coronavirus, raising the number of people who have died from the illness above 300.

Since the pandemic began, 301 county residents have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Health officials reported 110 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, raising the total to 8,729 cases.

The five deceased were four men and one woman ranging in age from their late 60s to mid-80s. All five had underlying health conditions.

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The county also recorded 3,963 tests, with 3% testing positive. The region's 14-day rolling average of positive tests is 3.1%.

Over the weekend, the number of Hispanic or Latino residents who have died from the illness surpassed the number of white residents, representing 43.1% of all deaths. White residents represent 42.7% of the deaths.

According to a 2017 demographics profile from the county's Health and Human Services Agency, the region's percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents was 33.4%, while white residents made up 46.2% of the county's population.

Meanwhile, piers and boardwalks throughout San Diego reopened Tuesday amid a flurry of re-openings set for this week.

Cities throughout the county were permitted to open beach parking lots Tuesday at their discretion, county officials said Saturday. Members of the same household are allowed to participate in active sports together, such as football, soccer or volleyball.

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East and West Mission Bay Parks reopened Monday for park and water uses, plus its parking lots are now open at 100% capacity. Fiesta Island reopened Monday for pedestrians, dogs and cyclists, but will remain closed to vehicles until July 6.

Day camps, campgrounds and RV parks also reopened Monday and outdoor recreation such as sport and charter fishing expeditions are now allowed.