SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A second San Diego County resident has died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, county officials announced Tuesday.

The 76-year-old man who died had "many" underlying conditions, according to Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.

The county also announced two infants have been diagnosed with the disease. The 6-week-old boy and 4-month-old girl are currently isolated in their homes.

"This is the first time that we've reported cases of infants less than 1 year of age," Wooten said during Tuesday's news conference. Don't miss local and statewide updates about coronavirus precautions as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.



Cases are increasing daily and Wooten doesn't expect a downturn anytime soon. As of Tuesday evening, there were 242 cases, which is up from 230 on Monday.

A total of 226 county residents have tested positive for the virus as well as 16 non-county residents. Most of the cases involve people between 20 to 59 years old. Forty-five people have been hospitalized, with 21 in intensive care. Two residents have died.

"Things are likely to get worse before they get better. We do not believe that the local wave of COVID-19 cases has yet crested," Wooten said. "It's incumbent upon on all of us to do our part to flatten the curve."