California reported 680 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, the second-most ever in a single day, while the number of patients hospitalized with the virus declined slightly amid one of the worst winter surges in the country.
The number of patients hospitalized with confirmed cases was down 1.3 % on Thursday from the preceding day to 20,998 patients. That’s down 2.8 % from a week before, but still up 838 percent from three months ago, before the current surge started in early November. The number of patients in ICU with confirmed cases was down 0.5 % on Thursday to 4,745. That’s up 2.4 % from a week ago and a 691 %increase from three months ago.
The Bay Area region has 3.4 % ICU availability, according to the California Department of Public Health. The San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions are at 0 percent ICU availability. The Greater Sacramento region is at 6.4 % availability and the Northern California region at 24 percent availability.
On Friday, California counties reported 39,557 new COVID-19 cases, for a total of more than 2.9 million since the pandemic started. The state has a seven-day average of 42,316 daily cases, up 2.3 % from a week ago. Los Angeles County reported the most new cases, 14,629, then San Bernardino County with 3,510 and Orange County with 3,158. They were followed by San Diego, Ventura and Santa Clara counties.
Counties also reported 680 COVID-19 deaths on Friday. The single-day death record of 682 was set one week ago on Jan. 8. The state has a seven-day average of 534 daily deaths, up about 30 % from a week before. Los Angeles County, the largest and hardest-hit in the state, reported the most deaths with 255, then Riverside County with 118 and Orange County with 88. That was followed by San Diego, Fresno and San Mateo counties. Those numbers reflect when deaths were reported publicly by the county on their online COVID-19 dashboard and not necessarily when they occurred, as there can be a lag 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 start of the pandemic. San Francisco reported 343 cases and four deaths for a total of 27,878 cases and 241 death since the start of the pandemic.
