Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Despite the second stay-at-home order being lifted and the administering of the vaccine around the state, the pandemic is still far from over, as many continue to face the hardships of the coronavirus.

Many businesses are struggling to stay afloat as the economic downturn continues, and the emotional and mental effects from this pandemic still loom with many folks.

Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the seven-week regional stay-at-home order on Jan. 25, and businesses like restaurants and museums were able to resume outdoor operations. Personal care services were also able to reopen indoors.

California has over 3.48 million confirmed cases and over 47,000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

San Diego County remains in the purple tier (Tier 1), there is still a bit to go before moving into the red tier with more reopenings.

While many small businesses struggle, the county Board of Supervisors voted to expand the Small Business Stimulus Grant Program, allocating at least $30 million once the federal and state government appropriate funds to the County in the coming weeks. This is open for those small businesses and nonprofit organizations with 20 or fewer employees.

The county is following a steady downward trend, and have been putting in efforts to flatten the curve, doing its best to vaccinate as many people as they can. However, with the limited supply of vaccine, it may be a few weeks before offering it to those in Phase 1B, which includes educators and first responders.

San Diego County has 252,250 confirmed cases and 124 deaths, as of Feb. 15, 8 a.m.

Those who are in need of their second dose of the vaccine are being prioritized for appointments at this time. Though, the county is continuing to push for partnerships to administer more doses to hopefully speed up the process of moving tiers.

President Joe Biden made an announcement that by the end of July, there will be enough vaccines for 300 million people.

The timeline of who can be administered the vaccine is still uncertain.

There is light peaking through, but one can only wonder how things will be once normalcy is reached.

February 14, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 252,250. Deaths: 3,037.

- Borrego Springs has 124 cases.

February 13, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 251,682. Deaths: 3,009.

February 12, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 250,791. Deaths: 2,979.

- California health officials announced that effective March 15, the COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to anyone aged 16 – 64 with severe underlying health conditions.

- County confirms expected delivery of Moderna vaccines did not arrive in San Diego, delaying vaccinations. Priority will be given to those with second does appointments.

February 11, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 249,974. Deaths: 2,955.

- CDC announces that those fully vaccinated (two doses of either Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine) may skip quarantines if exposed to COVID.

- Some CVS pharmacies in San Diego County will have Moderna COVID-19 vaccines available by appointment only.

February 10, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 248,861. Deaths: 2,904.

February 9, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 248,051. Deaths: 2,853.

- San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote to expand rental assistance, small business grant programs.

February 8, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 247,262. Deaths: 2,821.

- Non-profit serving seniors and other community organizations will work together with the county’s 211 information service to sign up homebound seniors for at-home vaccinations.

- Governor Gavin Newsom joined San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at Petco Park’s Vaccination Super Station.

February 7, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 246,564. Deaths: 2,821.

February 6, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 245,334. Deaths: 2,812.

- One year ago today, the United States recorded its first COVID-19 death.

February 5, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 244,069. Deaths: 2,777.

- San Diego County announces first pediatric COVID-19 death. Patient was a 10-year-old boy with underlying medical conditions.

- Supreme Court ruled California can’t ban indoor church services, set capacity limits. They said the state can cap indoor services at 25% of a building’s capacity, and declined to stop California from enforcing a ban put in place last summer on indoor singing and chanting.

February 4, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 242,616. Deaths: 2,738.

February 3, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 241,018. Deaths: 2,683.

- San Diego County has the capability to vaccinate about 20,000 people a day now that 19 vaccination sites are open, but supply is still an issue. More than 357,000 doses have been administered. Only 58,549 people have received their first and second doses.

- County’s unadjusted rate is trending downward: 89.8 to 50.5. It must fall below 7.0 before county can be considered for more reopenings under the red tier.

February 2, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 240,050. Deaths: 2,629.

February 1, 2021:

- Confirmed County COVID-19 numbers: 239,124. Deaths: 2,619.

* Number of COVID-19 Cases in San Diego County, sandiegocounty.gov. Information/statistics stated in this article are as of print time, Feb. 15, 8 a.m.