California is facing a record number of coronavirus cases, putting pressure on hospital resources even as the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine offers hope for a breakthrough in the fight against the disease.
The nation’s most populous state is making every stop to try to control its outbreak amid rising colder months, which experts warn will be one of the worst phases of the pandemic as it gathers. more people inside.
California registered 53,326 new cases on Friday, surpassing the previous one-day record set on Wednesday by about 1,000. There has been an increase of almost 19% in the last seven days, and about 1.8 million Californians have been infected with the virus.
The four deadliest days of the California pandemic occurred in the last week, according to a database kept by the Los Angeles Times, with over 22,100 COVID-19 deaths reported in the state.
No state has had as many cases as California, and only Texas and New York have had more deaths.
The outbreak has expanded California’s border services to about 17,000 people hospitalized with the virus and more than 3,500 people in intensive care units (ICUs) across the state. ICU availability fell to zero percent in Southern California this week.
“This is a deadly disease, a deadly pandemic, and we are in the middle of it right now,” the California governor said. Gavin Newsom
Gavin NewsomFEMA will reimburse California hotels used to protect vulnerable populations during pandemic ICU availability reaches 0 percent in Southern California amid rising coronavirus Judge regulates strip clubs exempt from California restrictions MORE (D) said this week. “We are close to the end, but we are in the middle of the highest peak, because it refers to what we refer to as the third wave.”
This week, Golden State was forced to activate its “mass fatality” program, which serves as “an essential resource for the sheriff-coroner, coroner or local forensic doctor affected, should they seek mutual assistance.” . California has also ordered 5,000 body bags and 60 refrigeration units and is opening temporary field hospitals to help treat patients with a discharge.
Some areas of California are “just about to overtake” Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciTrump stays out of the room because the vaccine is distributed Vaccination is not a complete response to COVID-19 Fauci urges Americans to “step on the plate” and be vaccinated MORE, warned this week the nation’s greatest expert on infectious diseases.
Public health officials have put pressure on Californians and people across the country to continue to follow guidelines such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing even as pandemic fatigue continues to crush the nation and many Americans are preparing to celebrate Christmas with others.
Officials also expressed concern that the promise of a vaccine could lead to looser behavior. A vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech began being administered nationwide this week, while the Food and Drug Administration on Friday gave emergency approval for a second vaccine from Moderna.
The increase in cases in California and elsewhere coincides with an ongoing debate on Capitol Hill over a new stimulus package. Democratic and Republican leaders have struggled to gather a package, although they expect to finally reach an agreement in the next few days.