On the day Gov. Gavin Newsom defended the state’s reopening efforts despite concerns of a new outbreak, California had 3,469 new COVID-19 infections Monday, surpassing the most recent seven-day average.
The new infections bring the state’s total to 155,596 confirmed cases, increasing the seven-day average to 3,099 (up from the previous mark of 3,058). The 31 new confirmed deaths bring the state’s total to 5,113.
Newsom said in a press conference the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations has remained stable. However, as California continues with its reopening strategy and people become more willing to venture outside their homes, public health experts caution the state could experience a spike in cases.
Los Angeles remained the state’s county hardest hit by new infections and deaths. According to most recent data, Los Angeles had 773 new cases and 19 new deaths by Monday night. The county has 73,791 total cases and 2,926 total deaths.
In the nine Bay Area counties plus Santa Cruz, 227 new cases and one death were confirmed, bringing the total to 17,747 cases and 501 deaths.
Alameda, which plans to reopen retail and outdoor dining this week, continued to lead in new cases with 53, bringing the county’s total to 4,373. The single death Monday occurred in San Francisco.
Santa Mateo (41) and Solano (28) each had a substantial increase in new cases than reported over the weekend, while Santa Clara (33), Contra Costa (24) and San Francisco (24) remain more stable in confirmed cases.
Cases in counties such as Marin (11), Napa (7), Sonoma (6) and Santa Cruz (0) have grown at a slower pace and the total number of infections remains low compared to other areas.
At the core of Newsom’s defense was the rate of hospitalizations and, as of Monday night, total coronavirus-related hospitalizations rose slightly to 4,323 — 3,103 confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 1,220 suspected positive — an increase of 76 since Friday. It marks the first increase in total hospitalizations since June 9.
