For more than a year, San Diegans have tuned in to constant updates from the county about the state of the coronavirus pandemic with daily and later weekly press conferences. But on Tuesday, county leaders gave their last regularly-scheduled briefing, closing another chapter in San Diego's response to COVID-19.
San Diego County Supervisor Chair Nathan Fletcher started off by saying it was a day that "just feels good."
The county's update coincided with the state's lifting of most coronavirus restrictions, including the end to the mask mandate for fully vaccinated Californians.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
“Today’s the day we feel good -- and it’s OK to feel good. We have made it through a truly historically challenging situation, and I think that we’re coming out stronger," he said.
The chair of the Board of Supervisors took a moment to thank healthcare workers, essential workers, small businesses, and every San Diegan who "sacrificed, worked hard" or "literally put their lives on the line."
"We made it through. We made it through on days where it didn’t feel like we could keep going on, but we did," Fletcher added.
But while he expressed relief, the supervisor noted there was still work to be done and that San Diegans should continue to follow the remaining rules to support the community.
Fletcher was joined by Supervisor Nora Vargas and Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten at the San Diego County Administration Building for their final weekly update.
“If we take away anything from COVID, it’s that together, we can do anything," Vargas said.
She added that as the county reopens and its communities rebuild, San Diego should focus on an equitable recovery.
CORONAVIRUS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY: What You Need to Know: Latest Developments | Resources | How to Help | What Has Reopened? | Photos: Coronavirus Impact in SD
In a news release sent to NBC 7, the county confirmed that, "Any future briefings will be called as needed. Daily press releases with COVID-19 data will be replaced by a weekly report. Other press releases will be issued as needed."
Until Fletcher took over as board chair this year, he and Wooten were regularly joined by Supervisor Greg Cox, who was termed out at the end of 2020 and replaced by Vargas.
For more on the latest coronavirus numbers in San Diego, click here.
