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"Start the new year off right and protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses."

December 31, 2022

The number of COVID-positive patients in San Diego County hospitals fell by 33 to 448, according to the latest state figures released Saturday.

Of those patients, 49 were being treated in intensive care, up from 47 a day earlier.

San Diego County’s total is the second-highest in the state, behind Los Angeles County’s 1,270.

County public health officials continue to urge San Diegans to receive vaccinations for the flu and COVID-19 as numbers remained relatively high.

In the past week, the county Health and Human Services Agency reported 15 additional COVID deaths and 4,537 new infections — compared to 4,764 the week prior. Thursday’s data increased the county’s coronavirus totals to 962,312 cases and 5,641 deaths.

“Start the new year off right and protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer. “Make a New Year’s resolution to stay healthy, get updated on your vaccines and avoid gatherings if you are ill.”

Wooten reminded San Diegans to take caution over the winter months during indoor gatherings, including masking, washing hands often, staying home when sick and home testing.

COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters, and flu vaccines are widely available at local medical providers and pharmacies. The county will offer vaccinations throughout the holidays at its vaccination sites.

The updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters were recently made available to everyone six months of age and older.

According to a county Health and Human Services report, 80.5% of eligible San Diegans have received their two-shot primary vaccinations. They also report that 20.5% of all eligible San Diego residents 5 years and older have received the new bivalent booster.

The COVID vaccines do not necessarily prevent people from contracting or transmitting the virus, but health officials say they offer protections against serious symptoms and possible death.

Flu numbers are on a downward trend, with two additional deaths and 906 cases reported in the past week, compared to seven deaths and 1,141 the previous week. The county’s cumulative total increased to 29 deaths and 19,372 infections — compared to 1,093 at the same time last season and a 1,982 prior 5-year average during the same week.

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San Diego is preparing for stormy weather over New Years Eve weekend and officials are encouraging residents to take proactive steps to prevent flooding.

SAN DIEGO — A strong Pacific storm was predicted to ring in the New Year in San Diego County with strong winds and widespread rain Saturday evening, the National Weather Service said.

The rain was expected to be heavy at times and high snow levels could keep most accumulating snow above the mountain resorts, the NWS said. Areas of dense fog, heavy rain, strong winds and wet road surfaces were expected to make New Year's Eve travel hazardous at times.

A flood watch was in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday through late New Year's Eve for San Diego County coastal areas, mountains and valleys. A wind advisory was posted from 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday for coastal areas, deserts, mountains and valleys.

"The storm will move out as quickly as it moves in," the NWS said. "This should make for a quiet Monday with some sun, but continued cool weather."

Another major winter storm was expected to bring some rain and mountain snow by Thursday, forecasters said.

Most local temperatures Saturday were expected to be in the 60s, with overnight lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Highs in the mountains were expected to be in the 50s with lows of 33 to 41, and highs in the deserts were forecast to be in the lower 70s with lows of 46 to 56.

Small streams and normally dry creek beds were expected to start flowing with water. Some minor rises in the county's main rivers were likely as well. The rise in the San Diego River could be sufficient to overtop a few of the low-water crossings in Fashion Valley on Sunday.

Strong winds and hazardous seas were expected Saturday evening through Sunday evening. Northwest winds of 20 to 30 knots with gusts of 35 to 40 knots were expected over the coastal waters. A gale warning was posted for the outer and inner waters. Combined seas of 10 to 15 feet were likely Sunday, highest in the outer waters.

A west-northwest swell of 10 to 15 feet at 8 to 10 seconds could produce high surf at the beaches Sunday through Monday, with sets of 5 to 8 feet. Higher sets to 9 feet could occur in southern San Diego County.

A high surf advisory will be in effect Sunday through Monday. Surf will gradually diminish Monday, though more Pacific storms could bring elevated to high surf Wednesday through Saturday of next week.

San Diego is preparing for stormy weather over the next week and leaders are encouraging area residents to take proactive steps to prevent flooding.

According to the city statement, the Stormwater Department will be temporarily placing "no parking" signs in low-lying or flood-risk areas, cleaning storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup, street sweeping to reduce trash and pollutants from entering our waterways and monitoring more than 46,000 storm drains citywide for any issues.

Even though the worst of the stormy weather has yet to arrive, water has already started to go over the road in parts of Mission Valley.

“We got to really plan on where we’re going to drive," said Jordan Gilles, Mission Valley resident.

Just weeks ago, a man was swept away by rushing water from the San Diego River as he was attempting to cross the bridge. Gilles says it’s a problem any time there is rain, "The San Diego river right here, whenever it rains really at all, it overflows that water way pretty much immediately. Some people try to walk through it sometimes but its deceptively deep."

On an individual level, city and county residents can assist by:

-- Sweeping and picking up trash, leaves, grass clippings and other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near your home;

-- Keeping the lid securely closed on trash and recycle bins when placing them out on the street for collection and placing them several feet away from the curb to not impede stormwater;

-- Turning off irrigation to save water;

-- Knowing safe routes to and from your home should flooding occur;

-- Slowing down and not attempting to traverse floodwaters; and

-- Not lifting manhole covers or grates in the event of flooding.

Additionally, sandbags are available in limited supply and can be picked up at nine recreation centers centrally located in each San Diego City Council District. Residents with identification showing proof of residency can receive up to 10 empty sandbags.

Residents should pick them up Friday, as the centers will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31, through Monday, Jan. 2, for the holiday.

As the sandbags are not pre-filled, residents are encouraged to also plan to buy sand at local hardware stores, landscape suppliers or wherever else sand can be purchased.

The locations to pick up sandbags are Standley Recreation Center, Robb Athletic Field, Golden Hill Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, North Clairemont Recreation Center, Allied Gardens Recreation Center, San Ysidro Community Activity Center and City Heights Recreation Center.

During the rains, crews from the city's Storm Patrol will be monitoring areas throughout the city and responding to incidents, such as temporary flooding and downed trees or branches.

Residents can report events, such as flooding or downed trees, by using the Get It Done application or by calling 619-527-7500. If it is a life- threatening emergency, call 911.

Flood Watch | San Diego County, mountains, inland valleys, coastal areas:6:00 p.m. Saturday – 2:00 a.m., Sunday.

For more information on preparing for a storm and what to do during and after the rain, click here to be taken to the City of San Diego’s Storm Preparedness website.

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WATCH RELATED: Cloudy for now with heavy rain expected on New Year's Eve

The Los Angeles Dodgers were in on all of the top shortstop free agents when free agency was first underway.

Unfortunately, L.A. didn't land any of them due to the amount of money they required and will settle for their infielder Gavin Lux.

However, the Dodgers don't have to go with Lux and could make a trade for a shortstop. L.A. has the assets to make a trade, and president of baseball operations, Andrew Freidman, is known to do most of his damage in February and March.

One trade Freidman could shoot for is Padres infielder and their primary shortstop last season, Ha-Seong Kim.

With Fernando Tatis Jr. coming back in 2023 and their addition of Xander Bogaerts in free agency, the infield looks much more crowded for San Diego.

Padres' insider Dennis Lin says teams have called about Kim and center fielder Trent Grisham, but the Padres have yet to budge.

"Publicly, the Padres have downplayed the possibility. Speaking with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal last week, Preller acknowledged he had received inquiries on Grisham and Kim. "With the Bogaerts signing, our intention is to play this position group together," Preller added. "We like the flexibility and the versatility it gives our team."

Kim has two years left on his deal and had a solid 2022 campaign. He slashed .251/.325/.383 with a .708 OPS and improved in every single major category from his rookie year in 2021.

Ha-Seong is also a good defender. Compared to his neighbor to his left, Manny Machado, Kim is five feet nine inches tall but uses his entire body to snag every ball that comes his way.

Teammates Machado and former Padre Eric Hosmer had great things to say about Kim and his defense. Hosmer said if the ball comes his way, he'll snatch it more times than not.

"He's the closest thing to sure hands as you can see," Hosmer said of Kim. "If the ball is hit at him, he's going to make the play."

Although Lux's natural position is shortstop, he has yet to play many games at that position with the Dodgers. He's played mostly at second base, and his defense has sometimes been suspect.

On the other hand, Kim spent 131 games at short, played 1092 innings there, and had a fielding percentage of .982.

The 27-year-old would be a solid pickup for L.A., and he wouldn't be expensive at all. He's currently making $7 million, and the Dodgers should pull the trigger on Kim for defensive stability.

One thing is for sure, if the Dodgers engage with the Padres about Kim, they will try to get everything out of L.A.

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a curated roundup of recent restaurant openings big and small across San Diego. We begin 2023 with a collection of fresh spots that will be regularly updated; revisit last year’s extensive lineup here.

Did we miss a spot? Drop a note at the tipline and we’ll consider it for the next update.

JANUARY 3, 2023

BANKERS HILL— North Park Beer Co. has branched out with a new taproom and kitchen, open daily from 11 a.m. on, where the 24-tap bar is stocked with a large selection of the brewery’s beers including its award-winning Hop-Fu as well as guest beers, wine, hard kombucha, and cider. The full-service kitchen is serving up a brand new food menu that ranges from shareables like hand-cut French fries with beer cheese fondue and Thai-style or Buffalo chicken wings to salads and bun-based dishes like smashburgers, vegan burgers, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. 3095 Fifth Avenue.

KEARNY MESA— Convoy’s omakase sushi spot Hidden Fish has launched an adjacent restaurant called Hitokuchi, a sleek sake lounge featuring a menu split into raw bites like king crab and uni milk bread toast and amberjack crudo in yuzu ponzu and hot bites that include miso-sake Chilean sea bass with butter-dashi spinach, a rice bowl with Sichuan pepper broth-braised pork belly, and a creamy dish of lobster with Thai basil. 4764 Convoy Street.

PACIFIC BEACH— Mati’s Kitchen, a popular food truck from Southeast San Diego, has established its first storefront near the boardwalk. Mati’s Birria + Beer specializes in slow-braised Mexican birria, which is offered in tortas, tacos, quesadillas, flautas, and crunchwraps, with birria grilled cheese and birria chilaquiles available on weekends. There’s even a vegan version of birria made with mushrooms. The restaurant’s Taco Tuesday deals include two birria tacos for $5 and $5 Mexican lagers. 4150 Mission Boulevard.

LIBERTY STATION— The Sushi Stand is a recent addition to the Liberty Public Market, where it packs its specialty sushi rolls into convenient and portable boxes that are perfect for picnicking. Priced at $17.50, its popular rolls include the I See Fire roll with seared salmon and shrimp tempura and the Black and Yellow roll with spicy tuna, shishito tempura, and seared yellowtail. 2820 Historic Decatur Road.

SORRENTO VALLEY— Daru Indian Gastropub’s menu of street food and fusion dishes spans small plates like masala fries, fish and chips, and tandoori-grilled prawns as well as pizzas topped with paneer or chicken tikka. There’s also kati rolls, or paratha bread wraps featuring mutton, chicken, or chickpeas, along with homemade desserts like mango lassi and saffron ice cream. 9430 Scranton Road.

Sizing up the Padres’ 40-man roster heading into the 2023 season: Matt Carpenter was historic at the plate in a small sample in 2022 after a disappointing end to his Cardinals tenure

MATT CARPENTER

STAT TO NOTE

TRENDING

2023 OUTLOOK

ROSTER RANKINGS

No. 18 | INF/OF Matt CarpenterNo. 19 | RHP Seth LugoNo. 20 | LHP Tim HillNo. 21 | LHP Drew PomeranzNo. 22 | RHP Steven WilsonNo. 23 | OF Jose AzocarNo. 24 | LHP Jay GroomeNo. 25 | RHP Nabil CrismattNo. 26 | INF Eguy RosarioNo. 27 | RHP Reiss KnehrNo. 28 | LHP Jose CastilloNo. 29 | LHP Ryan WeathersNo. 30 | RHP Michel BáezNo. 31 | INF Matt BattenNo. 32 | RHP Angel FelipeNo. 33 | RHP Pedro AvilaNo. 34 | INF/OF Brandon DixonNo. 35 | LHP Tom CosgroveNo. 36 | LHP Ray KerrNo. 37 | C Brett SullivanNo. 38 | RHP Sean PoppenNo. 39 | LHP Jose Lopez