Schools throughout San Diego County will be closed Monday in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus, as the number of confirmed positive cases in the county has climbed to 39.
The most recent update Sunday showed 33 San Diego County residents have tested positive in addition to four people under federal quarantine and two non-San Diego County residents.
None of the cases involve children. Some 29 involve patients between 18 and 64 years old, and 10 cases are patients 65 and older.
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Encinitas Union School District reported late Sunday that a person at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School has tested presumptive positive for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The district has not yet said whether the infected person was a student, teacher or school employee. It was not immediately clear if that person was included in the 39 cases confirmed by county officials on Sunday.
County officials reported 11 cases Friday, including eight local residents and three under federal quarantine.
The increase in cases came as a coalition including San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, San Diego Gas & Electric, The San Diego Foundation, United Way of San Diego and the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council prepared to announce the creation of a fund to help nonprofit organizations provide food and financial assistance to people impacted by the global pandemic.
The Navy added safety measures in the San Diego metro area after a sailor from Naval Base San Diego tested "presumptive positive" for the coronavirus. The sailor is quarantined at home and the positive test result is pending confirmation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Navy said that people the sailor identified having close contact with have been notified and are in home isolation.
Another sailor — this one aboard the USS Boxer — tested "presumptive positive" for the virus and is now in isolation at his or her off-base residence, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The case is the first among ship-based U.S. Navy sailors.
"Navy Region Southwest increased health protection conditions at all metro installations," said Brian O'Rourke, a media officer with the U.S. Navy. "Navy Region Southwest is working closely with our partners in state and local public health departments, and following all guidance from the Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect Navy personnel and visitors to our installations."
O'Rourke said the following measures will be taken in San Diego:
— Commanders will continue no-touch ID scanning at all entry control points. Personnel are required to present both sides of the ID/credential for screening by a guard.
— Visitor Control Center personnel will use the health questionnaire to screen people seeking access to installations.
— Installations with air terminals in the San Diego area will begin screening using questionnaires of everyone embarking or disembarking flights.
— Installations will provide cleaning products and hand sanitizers for high-traffic facilities and common areas on base.
— Navy commanders should assess the risk of holding any ship tours, large events or mass gatherings.
Two Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar tested positive for the virus, one on Friday and another on Saturday, leading to new health protections on the base.
Effective immediately, drivers entering the gate will hold up ID so guards do not have to touch them. Fitness facilities will have modified hours to increase cleaning throughout the day. Chapel services and base tours are canceled until further notice.
In addition, buffet-style service in meal halls will be suspended, employees eligible for tele-work are required to do so, the VITA tax center will close, the legal assistance center will be restricted to active-duty service members and the administrative photography studio will operate by appointment only and be limited to Promotion Board and command photography until further notice.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines Sunday, recommending that gathering of 50 people or more in the U.S. be canceled or postponed for at least eight weeks because of coronavirus.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also said Sunday that Californians over the age of 65 should isolate themselves from others and bars and pubs should close their doors in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
UC San Diego Health said on Saturday that two health care workers tested positive for COVID-19.
A University of San Diego graduate student living off campus and a San Diego State University student tested positive Friday.
On Friday evening, it was announced that a parent of children who attend the San Diego Jewish Academy in Carmel Valley tested positive for coronavirus, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The academy notified parents of the positive test Friday evening by email, the paper said.
And on Saturday, Chula Vista City Councilman Steve Padilla announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for the virus. He said he is in isolation at home and is "healthy, strong and safe."
City officials in Chula Vista announced Sunday that all city libraries and recreation centers will be closed until April 5. The closure includes the cancellations of any events, youth sports and adults sports held at local parks and fields.
The National City Police Department also announced Sunday that several city facilities will be closed temporarily. They include the Camacho Recreation Center, Casa de Salud, El Toyon Recreation Center, Kimball Senior Center, National City Public Library and the pool.
The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park announced Saturday that it will be closed beginning today through the end of the month.
The Senior Nutrition center will begin delivering home meals and allowing for to-go meals, but will not be serving seated meals to the public onsite.
