>>> GOOD EVENING THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

EACH PASSING DAY NOW BIGGER NUMBERS, COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO SURGE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

NUMBERS RELEASED ARE THE HIGHEST YET.

717 NEW CASES REPORTED.

THAT IS FOLLOWING SEVERAL DAYS IN THE 400S AND 500S.

AS OUR REPORTER TELLS US OFFICIALS DO NOT APPEAR READY TO CHANGE THEIR GUIDANCE ON MASKS.>> Reporter: THE NUMBERS KEEP SPIKING.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR ALMOST 3500 NEW CASES LAST WEEK.

THAT IS AN 82% JUMP OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEK.

FOR ARE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

THE DOCTOR IS A HOSPITALIST AT THE HOSPITAL.

>> WE ARE SEEING CASES STEADILY INCREASING.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS JUMPED FROM 61 TO 187 BETWEEN JUNE 21 AND JULY 20.

THAT IS FAR LESS THAN LAST WINTER WIND NEARLY 1000 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED IN A GIVEN DAY.

MANY OF THOSE ADMITTED NOW HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON.

>> 80 TO 90% ARE UNVACCINATED.>> Reporter: ONLY 20 VACCINATED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED SINCE JANUARY.

THAT COMPARES TO MORE THAN 5200 PEOPLE WERE FULLY VACCINATED WHO WERE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

THE DELTA VARIANT IS THOSE NUMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

THIS SPREADS 2 TO 3 TIMES FASTER THAN COVID-19.

>> THE DELTA VARIANT IS 225% MORE TRANSMISSIBLE BECAUSE YOU HAVE OVER 1000 TIMES MORE COPIES OF THE VIRUS IN YOU.

YOU WILL COPOUT 1000 MORE TIMES OF THE VIRUS.

YOU WILL TRANSMIT MORE.

THERE IS A STRONG CORRELATION.>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR IS IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY RE-MANDATING MASS CLEARING AND WORST.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STICKING WITH CDC AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GUIDELINES.

THEY DO NOT REQUIRE INDOOR MASKING.

>>> COULD WE SEE A CHANGE IN MASK MANDATES?

THAT IS A BIG QUESTION FOR ANY AS THE DELTA VARIANT IMPACTS THE UNITED STATES.

THE CDC FORECAST SOME GRIM NUMBERS.

HERE IS GERALD FORD'S US.

>> WE HAVE A PANDEMIC FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE VACCINATION.

TROPHY DELTA VARIANT PLACING A STRONGHOLD ON THE UNITED STATES.

WEDNESDAY, THE CDC REPORTED 46,000 NEW CASES.

>> THE DELTA VARIANT IS SPREADING WITH INCREDIBLE EFFICIENCY AND REPRESENTS MORE THAN 83% OF THE VIRUS IN THE UNITED STATES.>> Reporter: THE SPREAD SHOWS NO SIGNS OF STOPPING.

THE CDC FORECAST PREDICTS DEATH AND HOSPITALIZATIONS WILL INCREASE IN THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS.

>> GET VACCINATED.

IT OFFERS GOOD PROTECTION.

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE.>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED RESOURCES TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED IN RURAL AREAS.

>> WE ARE SENDING $100 MILLION TO THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE GENERALLY SEEN LOW VACCINES IN THAT AREA.>> Reporter: THE MONEY WILL PROVIDE 200 RURAL HEALTH CLINICS WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

AS THE PUSH TO GET SHOTS THERE ARE REPORTS OF TOP BIDEN HEALTH OFFICIALS CONSIDERING INDOOR MASK MANDATES FOR VACCINATED AMERICANS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE DATA.

>> Reporter: IT IS A BIG QUESTION AS STUDENTS ARE PREPARING TO RETURN TO CROSS CLASS.

THE AMERICAN PEDIATRICS RECOMMENDS EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF TWO WEARING A MASK WHEN THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

>>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND WHERE TO GET ONE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>>> IMMIGRATION CONTINUES TO BE A TOPIC THAT CANNOT BE AGREED ON.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SAN MARCUS RALLY TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.

HERE IS OUR REPORTER.

>> Reporter: WE ARE OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE WHERE MEMBERS OF JUSTICE OF OVERCOMING BOUNDARIES AND OTHERS WANTED TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.

THEY WANT HIM TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION IN HIS DISTRICT.

THEY SAY THEY ARE JUST AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE AND RICE AND BEANS.

WHEN THEY APPROACHED HIS OFFICE THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE.

OVER THE PHONE AND IN TURN SAID HE AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF WERE BOTH IN WASHINGTON TODAY.--SAYS THIS RESPONSE DOES NOT DETER THEM AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TRYING TO DELIVER THEIR MESSAGE.

>> WE WILL KEEP COMING BECAUSE WE ARE VOTING AND WE ARE WATCHING.

WE WILL HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE.

IMMIGRATION IS AN ISSUE THAT HE NEEDS TO ADDRESS AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL HE LISTENS.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO HIS OFFICE FOR A RESPONSE, BUT NONE WAS PROVIDED.

>>> VICE PRESIDENT IS TELLING SO-CALLED DREAMERS NOT TO LOSE HOPE PROMISING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO CREATE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

TODAY, SHE MET WITH THE GROUP THAT INCLUDED IMMIGRANTS THAT BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM PROVIDES DEPORTATION PROTECTION FOR SOME UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS BROUGHT AS CHILDREN.

LAST WEEK A FEDERAL JUDGE PUT THE FUTURE OF DACCA AT RISK WHEN HE RULED AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> TO LIVE WITH THE LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY WONDERING WHAT THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

IT IS JUST WRONG ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND OUR SOCIETY.

IT IS JUST SIMPLY WRONG.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ATTEMPTS TO APPEAL THE DACCA.

>>> HOW MUCH SHOULD AN EDUCATION COST?

THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY IS ASKING FOR A RATE INCREASE.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVED THE REQUEST AT THE MEETING TODAY.

THE UNIVERSITY SAYS THE INCREASE WOULD BENEFIT LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES WITH MORE FINANCIAL AID.

STUDENT GROUPS OPPOSE THE HIKE.

IN-STATE UNDERGRADS WILL PLAY 534 MORE DOLLARS FOR FALL OF 2022.

TUITION AND FEES ARE MORE THAN $14,000 PER YEAR.

>>> FORMER--TRUSTEE ONCE HIS SEAT BACK.

VOTERS WILL HAVE TO LOOK PAST A CHECKERED HISTORY.

OUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: BEFORE HE WAS RECALLED HIS RESUME WAS SO IMPRESSIVE HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE TRENTON SCHOOL BOARD.

IT APPEARS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID NOT DO ITS HOMEWORK.

HE RAN A FUNDRAISER THAT LEFT UNPAID BILLS AND THE NONPROFIT NEVER SAW ANY PROCEEDS AND VENDORS ARE STILL OWED NEARLY $30,000.

HE IS NOW RUNNING FOR HIS FORMER SEAT AND BLAMES THE BILLS ON A SPONSOR WHO HE SAYS NEVER PAID.

IS THIS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN THEY CAST THEIR VOTE?

>> WE LOOK AT THE ENTIRE QUOTE OF THE PERSON.

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2007 WHEN OUR DAUGHTER WAS A-YEAR-OLD.

WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED EVER SINCE THEN.>> Reporter: SAN DIEGUITO SPECIAL ELECTION IS IN NOVEMBER.

>>> SAN DIEGO MAYOR IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE DIVERSITY OF THE CITY IS REFLECTED IN APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

SINCE TAKING OFFICE 70 % OF THE PEOPLE WHO ASKED TO JOIN BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

HALF OF THEM ARE WOMEN.--IS PART OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

NOT ONLY DOES HE HAVE EXTENSIVE ASKED VARIANCE WITH MANAGEMENT HE IS ALSO A REFUGEE AND BELIEVES HIS EXPERIENCE WILL GIVE ANOTHER LENS TO THE CITY HALL FACES.

>> PEOPLE LIVED EXPERIENCES IN COMBINATION WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE BRINGS A MOSAIC APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS, FRESH IDEAS, FRESH ENERGY.

>> THE CITY HAS CREATED AN ONLINE PORTAL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET INVOLVED.

YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND APPLY.

>>> EFFORTS TO BUILD A BRIDGE OVER THE SAN DIEGO RIVER MISSION TRAILS PARK TOOK A GIANT STEP FORWARD TODAY.

THE NEED FOR A BRIDGE BECAME MORE URGENT AFTER A YOUNG MAN DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THE RIVER.

OUR REPORTER WAS AT THE PARK THIS MORNING FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.>> Reporter: NEARLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE 21- YEAR-OLD LOST HIS LIFE TRYING TO CROSS THE SAN DIEGO RIVER IN MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK, MAJOR NEWS DELIVERED BY SAN DIEGO COUNCILMEMBER PAUL CAMPILLO.

>> HE WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE SECURE 1.9 MILLION TO HELP FUND THE BRIDGE FOR MAX.

>> Reporter: THIS PLACE OF NATURAL BEAUTY BECAME A PLACE OF HEARTBREAK BREAK IN JANUARY.

IS STRONG WINTER STORM MOVED IN AND THE SAN DIEGO RIVER WAS SURGING.

HIS FAMILY BELIEVES MAX SLIPPED AND FELL.

HIS BODY WAS FOUND NEAR THE CROSSING.

>> WE LOVED HIM AND WE MISSED HIM AND WE WILL REMEMBER HIM.

>> Reporter: IT IS MOTHER AND FATHER BEGAN THEIR QUEST TO BUILD A BRIDGE SHORTLY AFTER HE DIED.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE BEEN BACK HERE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER THEIR SON'S DEATH.

THE GRANT WILL BE CONFINED WITH THE $750,000 THEY HAVE RAISED TO BUILD A BRIDGE THAT WILL LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THE COUNCILMEMBER CALLED IT BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL.

YOU CAN ALSO ADD LIFESAVING.

THE GRIEF IS HARD TO IMAGINE, LORI SAYS SOMEDAY SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED, THEN SHE SAYS SHE HEARS MAX HIS VOICE AND HIS MESSAGE IS CLEAR.

>> I HEARD HIM SAYING YOU HAVE TO KEEP WRITING A WRONG.

SOMEONE COULD GET HURT.

>> WE WANT TO MARK THAT SITE AND HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS A VERY LONG-TERM TESTAMENT TO HIS LIFE.>> Reporter: THEY SAY CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BEGIN SOON.

THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL HURDLES, BUT THE GOAL IS TO HAVE IT FINISHED BY MARCH 26 OF 2024, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 25th BIRTHDAY.

>>> 14 CATS ARE SAFE TONIGHT AFTER THEIR OWNER AGREED TO HAND THEM OVER TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY CONDUCTED A WELFARE CHECK AND FOUND BE OVERWHELMED OWNER.

THE CATS WERE TAKEN TO THE OCEANSIDE CAMPUS FOR EVALUATION.

ONCE THEY ARE READY, SIX OF THE CATS WILL BE RETURNED TO THE OWNER WITH THE OTHERS BEING PUT UP FOR ADOPTION.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY SAYS THEY APPLY THE OWNER FOR REALIZING HE NEEDED THEIR HELP.

>>> OCEANSIDE WILL SOON HAVE THE YEAR-ROUND CHILDRESS HOME- -HOMELESS SHELTER.

OUR REPORTER GIVES US DETAILS OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: A SCHOOL THAT ONCE SERVED AT RISK STUDENTS WILL SOON SERVE THE HOMELESS.

THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL TURN INTO THE FIRST YEAR-ROUND HOMELESS SHELTER.

>> DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD GET IT AND IN THE AND THEY CHOSE US.>> Reporter: HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE RESCUE MISSION.

>> WE ON OUR PROPERTIES AND ASSETS.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TO WORK TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE STREETS.>> Reporter: THEY CURRENTLY OPERATE A 360 BED SHELTER IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

WHILE THE LOCATION WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR THE OCEANSIDE THERE IS--.

>> THAT WILL BE A DROP-OFF FACILITY.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE TEAM AND WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND THEY WILL REFER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THEY NEED A PLACE TO STAY.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN HOMELESS FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AND NOW STAY IN A DONATED RV.

THEY KNOW THE NEED FOR SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES.

>> THERE IS NOTHING FOR FAMILIES.

WE'VE BEEN MARRIED 20 YEARS AND EVEN WHEN WE WENT TO THE HOTEL, THEY SAID THEY TRIED TO OFFER US HOUSING AND THEY DIDN'T, THEY TOLD US WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO SEPARATE AND GET RID OF YOUR DOGS AND ONE OF THE THINGS IS WE WILL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK US TO DO.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE SEPARATED AND I CAN'T GET RID OF MY DOGS.

TROOP SHE LOST HER CHILDREN TO FOSTER CARE AND HAD SEIZURES.

THE RESCUE MISSION SHELTER WILL BE GREAT NEWS TO THE HOMELESS IN THE AREA.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT HELP AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET IT.>> Reporter: THEY WILL OFFER BEDS.

30 DAYS.

>> IT WILL BE THROUGH THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT WE WILL FIGURE OUT GOING DOWNTOWN TO BE PART OF THE LONG-TERM PROGRAM OR DETOX OR SKILLED NURSING.

WE WILL DO TRIAGE AT THESE FACILITIES.

>> WE WILL BREAK UP THE CLASSROOMS AROUND GENDER AND FAMILY ORIENTATION.>> Reporter: DOES THE PLAN COUNT FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION?

MAX IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE LGBTQ--HE SAYS THE LACK OF EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIVENESS PUSHES THEM AWAY FROM SHELTERS.

>> THERE IS A REASON THE POPULATION PREFERS TO SLEEP UNDER THE BRIDGE.

WE ARE USING PUBLIC LAND AND RESOURCES THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE THAT PROTECTION.

IT MEANS WHAT IS YOUR TRACK RECORD.

WHAT DO YOU DO AND HOW DO YOU TO PROTECT?

>> COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT REFERRING PEOPLE TO AGENCIES.

>> IT WOULD BE A SERVICE PROVIDER.

WE ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

AND WHO DID THE TRAINING.

>> THEY SAY THE RESCUE MISSION DID NOT DENIED SERVICES BASED ON BELIEFS FOR SEXUAL IDENTITY.

>> WE ARE SO COMMITTED TO THAT APPROACH THAT WE WILL HAVE OFFICE SPACE IN OUR FACILITY FOR OTHER AGENCIES.

WE WANT THAT RELATIONSHIP.

THIS IS NOT JUST THE RESCUE MISSION, THIS IS THE COMMUNITY OF OCEANSIDE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: THE SHELTER IS EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY NEXT YEAR.

>>> A WILD FIRE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS CROSSED STATE LINES INTO NEVADA.

THE TAMARACK FIRE SOUTH OF LAKE TAHOE HAS CHARGED 78 SQUARE MILES.

MORE THAN 1200 FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THE FIRE.

NEW MANDATORY EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND A NEW EVACUATION CENTER HAS BEEN SET UP.

THE FIRE ARRESTED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY AND WAS ONE OF NEARLY 2 DOZEN BLAZES THAT HAD BEEN SPARKED BY LIGHTNING.

>>> THE HISTORIC DROUGHT IS GETTING WORSE.

THE DROUGHT MONITOR REPORT RELEASED TODAY SHOWS MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES IS DEALING WITH EXTREME OR EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT.

THAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER RECORDED.

SUMMER MONSOON RAINS ARE EXPECTED TO OFFER SOME RELIEF IN AREAS OF NEW MEXICO AND PARTS OF COLORADO.

>>> GOOD EVENING AS WE TALK ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

YOU CAN EXPECT SOME MORNING FOG DAILY.

WE ARE KEEPING A LOOK TO THE EAST WITH THUNDERSTORMS AND WE SEE THE MONSOONAL SHOWERS AND STORMS POP UP.

THEY KIND OF EXPAND OUT TOWARD US.

MAINLY THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING THROUGH THE COAST.

FOR THE METRO, 70 DEGREES AND OVERALL, A QUIET NIGHT.

VERY TOASTY IN THOSE DESERT LOCATIONS.

UPPER 60s.

THE FORECAST KEEPS QUIET SKIES IN PLACE.

BACK TO THE EAST WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON FUTURE FORECAST WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

MOST AREAS NEARBY SHOULD STAY QUIET.

JUST AN ISOLATED RISK FOR SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM.

YOU COULD BE BUMPING INTO SOME STORMS LATER IN THE DAY.

DRY AND UNCOMFORTABLE WEATHER.

WE WILL BE CLOSER TO THE 80DEGREE MARK AFTER THE MORNING FOG.

THE SOUTHWEST, WE SEE THIS INCREASE IN MOISTURE.

SOME OF THAT WILL BE MOVING CLOSER TO SAN DIEGO.

COASTAL REGIONS STAY DRY.

WE WILL LOOK AT NUMBERS IN THE UPPER 70s AND PERIODS OF SUN AND MORNING FOG WILL BE EXPECTED.

NUMBERS TOPPING OUT INTO THE MIDDLE 80s AND LET'S TAKE YOU UP TOWARD THE MOUNTAIN COUNTRY WHERE WE SEE THE CHANCE FOR A THUNDERSTORM FRIDAY AND ONCE AGAIN INTO SUNDAY.

>>>--.

>>> IN A MOVE TO REDUCE WILD FIRE GAS AND ELECTRIC WILL NOW BURY 10,000 MILES OF POWER LINES.

IT IS THE LARGEST UTILITY COMPANY AND ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SPARKING SOME OF THE DEADLIEST AND MOST DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES IN STATE HISTORY.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EQUIPMENT.

PG&E WAS HELD CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEADLY 2018 CAMPFIRE.

>>> CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

SOME ARE TESTING POSITIVE.

OUR REPORTER SPOKE TO A SACRAMENTO MOM WHO IS URGING EVERYONE TO WEAR MASKS TO PROTECT UNVACCINATED KIDS.>> Reporter: GRACE, HER MOM AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 EVEN THOUGH- >> I WAS PREGNANT THROUGH MOST OF THE PANDEMIC SO WE WERE REALLY CAUTIOUS.>> Reporter: SHE AND HER HUSBAND GOT THE SECOND DOSE OF THE PFIZER VACCINE IN APRIL .

>> IT IS HARD FOR MUSICIAN NOT TO PLAY MUSIC AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND FELT LIKE THAT WAS SOMETHING WE COULD DO NOW THAT WE WERE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: AFTER PLAYING A SHOW HE HAS SYMPTOMS.

NOTHING SEVERE, BUT THEN THEIR DAUGHTERS GOT SICK.

>> THE KIDS HAVE BEEN REALLY SICK.

103 FEVER, DIARRHEA AND VOMITING.

NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT WAS REPORTED IN LATE JUNE.

>> THE COVID-19 CASES ARE SHIFTING BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF VACCINATING THE OLDER AGE GROUP.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SAYS THEY DO A GOOD JOB PREVENTING SEVERE CASES.

>> EVEN THEN THE VACCINES WILL BE 100% EFFECTIVE SO DOCTOR'S SAY ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE AROUND PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE CHILDREN WHO ARE TOO YOUNG TO GET VACCINATED, WEARING A MASK CAN ADD THAT EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION.

IT IS ANOTHER PRECAUTION SHE WISHED THEY HAD CONTINUED TO TAKE EVEN AFTER GETTING VACCINATED.

>> IT HAS BEEN REALLY HARD.

I WISH WE WOULD HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>>> THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL ON THIS NEXT PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> TECH BILLIONAIRES ARE DOING IT, WHEN WILL FLYING INTO OUTER SPACE BECOME AFFORDABLE FOR THE REST OF US?

STEVE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HURDLE STANDING IN THE WAY AND HOW SOON COMMERCIAL TRAVEL MAY BECOME A REALITY.

TROOP COMMERCIAL SPACE TOURISM, A PIPE DREAM OR A REAL POSSIBILITY.

JEFF BEZOS AND RICHARD BRANSON BOTH LAUNCHED INTO SPACE THIS MONTH SAY THEY ARE READY TO START OFFERING TRIPS TO OUTER SPACE.

>> IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DREAM.>> Reporter: SPACE FLIGHTS FOR THE MASSES ARE YEARS AWAY.

ON TUESDAY PESOS AND THREE OTHERS FLEW HIGH INTO OUTER SPACE ON THE SHEPPARD ROCKET.

THE SPACE COMPANY HAS BOOKED ALMOST $100 MILLION IN TICKETS FOR FUTURE SPACEFLIGHTS.

A MAJOR HURDLE IS GETTING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GET INTO THOSE ROCKETS TO SPREAD OUT THE COST.

>> THESE ARE BIPLANES AND THEY ARE FINE INTO A FARMERS FIELD AND CHARGING A SMALL PRICE TO FLY PEOPLE AROUND.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THAT LEADS TO 787S.>> Reporter: THERE ALSO NEEDS TO BE SIGNIFICANT DEMAND TO FILL THE SEATS NO MATTER THE PRICE.

>>> ANOTHER LOOK AT TOP STORIES.

COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO SURGE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

717 NEW VACCINATIONS WERE REPORTED.

82% JUMP OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEK.

MORE PEOPLE ARE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVEN'T INDICATED THAT THEY WILL CHANGE GUIDANCE ON MASK WEARING.

>>> A LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP RALLIED OUTSIDE THE COUNCILMAN THE OFFICE.

THEY ARE CALLING ON HIM TO SUPPORT A PERMANENT PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

HE WAS IN WASHINGTON TODAY AND DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT OFFICE STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.