Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that 12,807 new coronavirus infections had been reported statewide in the past 24 hours, a record, bringing the California total to 413,576.
“It is just another reminder … of the magnitude of the impact this virus continues to have,” he said during a press conference.
The sustained increase in cases occurs when coronavirus-related hospitalizations have continued to reach or reach record levels in the state. Approximately 7,170 confirmed patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized statewide as of Tuesday, with 2,058 in intensive care, according to the state Department of Public Health.
California also reports worsening death rates. For the one-week period ending Monday, 674 deaths were reported in California, the highest weekly total to date. That number broke the record set in the previous seven-day period, when 640 died; the week before that, it was 474.
Experts say hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators of the spread of the coronavirus and may reflect exposure to the virus that occurred weeks earlier.
Los Angeles County reported 3,266 new cases Wednesday, bringing its cumulative total to above 164,000.
While it is true that younger groups are generally less likely to become seriously ill as a result of COVID-19, officials emphasize that this does not mean that they are immune or cannot transmit the disease to others who are ill. More at risk.
“The tragedy of what we are witnessing is that many of our younger residents interact with each other and do not adhere to recommended prevention measures, while our older residents continue to experience the results of this further spread with the worst health outcomes, including death, “said county public health director Barbara Ferrer in a statement.
“People over the age of 65 account for 11% of all cases, but they account for almost 75% of all deaths. Our behaviors, including the use of facial covering and adherence to physical detachment (simple actions of kindness and care) can protect those we love. “
