California reports the most new cases of virus in almost a month
California reported nearly 4,000 new coronavirus cases Friday, the highest single-day total in almost a month, amid otherwise declining death and hospitalization numbers and an increasing share of the adult population fully vaccinated against the virus.
The 3,984 new cases reported by counties, according to data tracked by this news organization, are the most reported in a single day since March 9.
The state now has a seven-day average of 2,643 daily cases, the highest the average has been since March 15.
The slight increase comes after weeks of low and declining case numbers, which in turn followed a massive winter surge that began in early November, peaked over the holidays and declined through February.
The Friday numbers were led by Sacramento County, which reported 605 new cases on Friday, the most in the county since Feb. 22. Los Angeles County, the largest and hardest-hit in the state, reported 603 cases and San
Diego County 496 cases. They were followed by Stanislaus, San Bernardino and Santa Clara counties.
Other coronavirus numbers were more encouraging. There were 2,147 patients hospitalized in the state with confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, a 2.4% decline from the preceding day. There were also 562 patients in intensive care unit beds with confirmed cases, also a 2.4% decline from the previous day. That’s the lowest number of confirmed ICU patients since March 31, 2020.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in the state has also continued a slow decline from the winter surge. There were 206 deaths from COVID-19 reported on Friday, and the state now has a seven-day average of 143 daily deaths — the lowest average since Dec. 8.
San Bernardino County reported 63 COVID-19 fatalities on Friday, followed by Los Angeles County with 46 and Riverside County with 23. They were followed by San Diego, Kern and San Joaquin counties.
At the same time, the pace of vaccination has been increasing significantly in California. The state has administered almost 18.9 million doses as of Thursday, 78% of the doses delivered to the state, according to data from the Department of Public Health. California is averaging 333,501 daily injections, a 16% increase from the daily average a week ago.
So far, 41% of Californians 18 and older have received at least one vaccine dose and 21.6% are fully vaccinated. Among residents 65 and older, 78.8% have received at least one dose and 54% are fully vaccinated.
In the Bay Area, Santa Clara County reported 169 new cases on Friday and seven deaths, for a total of 114,852 cases and 1,949 fatalities since the start of the pandemic. Alameda County reported 97 new cases and two deaths, for a total of 83,544 cases and 1,425 deaths. Contra Costa County reported 124 cases and three deaths for a total of 65,559 cases and 760 deaths.
San Mateo County reported 38 cases and six deaths for a total of 40,462 cases and 553 deaths. And San Francisco reported 41 cases and three deaths for a total of 35,170 cases and 474 deaths since the start of the pandemic.