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Vaccine Information
KPBS Trigger Tracker
In recent weeks, openings and closings of businesses have been decided by data points data analyzed by California health officials, specifically the region’s average number of new COVID-19 cases identified each day per 100,000 residents. However, San Diego County health officials consider data from 13 different measurements to monitor the spread of coronavirus in the region. Local officials use the metrics below to inform their decisions. Some metrics are weighted more heavily than others.
Quick links: Read the stories // Weekly Snapshot
Data last updated: .... Source
Primary Triggers
Only one of the primary triggers must be reached for the county to consider implementing more restrictions.
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Community Outbreaks Over Last 7 Days
Should not be more than 6
This measures the amount of outbreaks in community settings that have occurred in the last seven days. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases among non-household members tied to the same community setting, such as a business or private residence.
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ICU Beds Available
Should not be less than 20%
This measures the percentage of available ICU beds.
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Hospitals With Enough PPE
Should not reach or be less than 50%
This measures the percentage of hospitals that currently have enough personal protective equipment to last at least 22 days.
Secondary Triggers
With the exception of the case rate, which has been prioritized by the state, at least two of the secondary triggers must be reached for the county to consider taking action. But these triggers have an added layer of complexity because they must also be in separate categories. There are three categories: surveillance, capacity and response. If at least two triggers in different categories are reached, the county may consider more public health orders.
- SURVEILLANCE
- CAPACITY
- RESPONSE
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Average New Daily Cases Per 100K Residents
Should not reach 7.1 for two consecutive weeks
This measures the average number of new daily cases per 100,000 San Diego County residents. It is adjusted by the state based on the county's testing volume and is only updated on Tuesdays. It determines the level of state-ordered restrictions that apply in the county.
The county began providing data for this metric on August 31, 2020.
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Hospital Beds Occupied
Should not reach or be greater than 80%
This measures the amount of occupied hospital beds.
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COVID Tests Coming Back Positive
Should not be greater than 8%
This measures the percentage of daily tests coming back positive for coronavirus over the last two weeks.
The county began providing data for this metric on July 6, 2020.
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ER Patients With COVID Symptoms
Should not see an “upward trajectory” over 2-week period
This measures the daily percentage of patients visiting San Diego’s emergency departments primarily for COVID-like symptoms. San Diego County defined an upward trajectory as “any increase in the number of people showing up in emergency rooms in an unexpected pattern from what would be expected at that point in time.”
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Rate Of New COVID Hospitalizations
Should not reach or be greater than 10%
This measures the percent change in the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID patients who are hospitalized. It is calculated by comparing the average change over the last three days to the average change over the previous three-day period.
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New Cases Investigated Within A Day
Should not reach or be less than 70%
This measures the percentage of cases that staff investigates within 24 hours of learning about the case. It is calculated over a seven-day period.
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ER Patients With Flu Symptoms
Should not see an “upward trajectory” over 2- week period
This measures the daily percentage of patients visiting San Diego’s emergency departments primarily for COVID-like symptoms. San Diego County has not yet responded to questions to clarify the measurable increase required to be considered an “upward trajectory.”
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Ventilators Available
Should not be less than 25%
This measures the percentage of ventilators that are available for use.
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Close Contacts Called Within A Day
Should not reach or be less than 70%
This measures how quickly contact tracers are able to reach out for the first time to close contacts of a confirmed COVID case. It measures the percentage of close contacts a county employee tries to contact within 24 hours of that person being identified as a close contact.
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Weekly Snapshot
Total number of primary and secondary triggers reached each day over the last week. An X indicates the county did not provide a report for that day. The county said it will not provide the information on weekends.
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7/21
5
Metrics triggered
- Case Rate
- Community Outbreaks
- Influenza Like Illness
- Increasing Hospitalizations
- Case Investigation
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7/22 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported. -
7/23 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported. -
7/24 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported. -
7/25 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported. -
7/26 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported. -
7/27 X
Metrics triggered
No data reported.
Government Resources
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7/21
5
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Homeless Shelter Space
Should not be less than 15%
This measures the percentage of temporary shelter in existence for people experiencing homelessness.
Related Stories
Uptick In COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Likely Due To Delta Variant
- July 19
- By Matt Hoffman
Health officials are beginning to notice cases of COVID-19 slightly rising, a trend that is likely due to the Delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in California.
Los Angeles, San Francisco County Moving To Yellow Tier As Businesses Get Ready For Broader Reopening
- May 4
- Brian Melley and Janie Har / Associated Press
Los Angeles and San Francisco have met state guidelines to move into the least-restrictive tier for businesses to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. The two counties on Tuesday become the first major urban areas in the state to reach the final stage of a phased reopening plan before a projected return to business as usual June 15.
LA County Moving To Yellow Tier As Rate Of New COVID Cases Falls Again
- May 4
- By City News Service
Los Angeles County officially qualified Tuesday for a move to the least-restrictive yellow tier of the state economic-reopening blueprint, meaning capacity limits will be increased at many businesses and bars will be permitted to reopen indoors.
People 16 And Older Can Now Get COVID-19 Vaccines In San Diego County
- April 15
- By City News Service
Hundreds of thousands of San Diegans become eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines Thursday when the state expands eligibility to everyone age 16 and over.