California recorded 680 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, the second highest in a single day, while the number of patients hospitalized with the virus has declined slightly amid one of the country’s worst winter outbreaks.
The number of hospitalized patients with confirmed cases fell 1.3% on Thursday from the previous day to 20,998 patients. This represents a 2.8% drop from the previous week, but still an 838% increase from three months ago, before the current increase starts in early November. The number of ICU patients with confirmed cases fell 0.5% on Thursday to 4,745. This represents an increase of 2.4% over the previous week and an increase of 691% over three months ago.
The Bay Area region has 3.4% availability of ICUs, according to the California Department of Public Health. The San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions have 0 percent ICU availability. The Greater Sacramento region has 6.4% availability and the Northern California region has 24% availability.
On Friday, California counties reported 39,557 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of more than 2.9 million since the pandemic began. The state has a seven-day average of 42,316 daily cases, 2.3% more than a week ago. Los Angeles County reported the highest number of new cases, 14,629, then San Bernardino County with 3,510 and Orange County with 3,158. They were followed by the counties of San Diego, Ventura and Santa Clara.
Counties also reported 680 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday. The single-day death toll of 682 was established a week ago, on 8 January. The state has an average of 534 daily deaths over seven days, an increase of about 30% over the previous week. Los Angeles County, the largest and hardest hit in the state, recorded the highest number of deaths at 255, Riverside County at 118 and Orange County at 88. This was followed by San Diego, Fresno and San Mateo Counties . These figures reflect when the deaths were reported publicly by the county on its online COVID-19 panel and not necessarily when they occurred, as there may be a delay in reporting fatalities.
Santa Clara County reported 1,604 new cases and 12 deaths on Friday, for a total of 89,983 cases and 1,040 deaths. Alameda County reported 894 new cases for a total of 64,760 cases and 755 deaths. Contra Costa County reported 868 cases and 20 deaths and has a total of 50,687 cases and 430 deaths.
San Mateo County reported 454 new cases and 26 deaths on Friday and has a total of 30,650 cases and 294 deaths since the pandemic began. San Francisco has reported 343 cases and four deaths for a total of 27,878 cases and 241 deaths since the pandemic began.