🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
California's coronavirus cases have climbed past 8,500, including more than 180 deaths, as of Wednesday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The virus, which was first reported in Wuhan, a city in China's Hubei province, has spread to more than 877,400 people across 180 countries and regions. There are more than 189,600 cases in the U.S., the epicenter of the outbreak, while more than 100,000 cases have been confirmed both in Italy and Spain, while China has more than 82,300 confirmed infections.
More than 185,200 people have recovered from infection, including nearly 90 percent of China's patients and more than 7,100 in the U.S. More than 43,500 people have died.
California is among the cluster of states in the U.S. reporting thousands of cases and hundreds of fatalities. The state has reported at least 8,588 cases (up by nearly 1,000 cases in one day) and 183 deaths, The Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday evening.
Los Angeles County has seen the highest death toll, with 54 deaths, followed by Santa Clara (30 deaths), Riverside (13), and San Mateo (seven). San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento have each reported between nine, six and seven fatalities, respectively, the LA Times reported.
Earlier this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in the state had nearly doubled on Monday over the previous four days, while the number of Intensive Care Unit patients tripled in the same period.
Around 1,421 patients had been hospitalized in the state, an increase of 746 people from the previous four days. Patients requiring intensive care beds climbed to 597 on Monday from 200 four days prior, Newsom confirmed.
The state has been under a "stay at home" order from earlier this month. The order, which went into effect on March 19, is "in place until further notice," and requires residents to remain at home, while all non-essential businesses, including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and other places of public gathering remain closed.
Earlier this month, Newsom warned that more than 25 million people (around 56 percent of the state) could be infected in the next few weeks if no mitigation measures are implemented.
Top 10 California counties with highest deaths toll
- Los Angeles — 54, according to the LA County Department of Public Health;
- Santa Clara — 30, according to the Santa Clara Department of Public Health;
- Riverside — 13, according to the LA Times;
- San Mateo — 10, according to San Mateo County Health;
- San Diego — 9, according to the San Diego County government website;
- San Joaquin — 8, according to the LA Times;
- Sacramento — 7, according to the Sacramento County government website;
- Orange — 7, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency;
- Alameda — 7, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department;
- San Francisco — 6, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Top 10 California counties with most confirmed cases
- Los Angeles — 3,011, according to the LA County Department of Public Health;
- Santa Clara — 890, according to the Santa Clara Department of Public Health;
- San Diego — 734, according to the San Diego County government website;
- Orange — 502, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency;
- San Francisco — 397, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health;
- Riverside — 371, according to the LA Times;
- San Mateo — 309, according to San Mateo County Health;
- Alameda — 294, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department;
- Sacramento — 224, according to the Sacramento County government website;
- Contra Costa — 222, according to the LA Times.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S.
Data on COVID-19 cases is from Johns Hopkins University unless otherwise stated.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more