Coronavirus: California sees highest death total in nearly a week
As data indicate that California has yet to contain the first wave of the coronavirus, several counties are moving forward with reopening plans.
California on Tuesday posted its highest daily coronavirus-related death total in nearly a week, even as the state continues to move forward with reopening.
The 86 new deaths confirmed surpassed the most recent seven-day average, and marked the highest daily total since June 10 (108). Of those deaths, 33 occurred in Los Angeles and six occurred in the Bay Area.
Tuesday’s 3,450 new cases for the state were on par with Monday’s case number. California is now up to 159,046 total cases.
In Los Angeles County, where retail stores, restaurants, museums and gyms have been allowed to resume business, 1,293 new cases were confirmed. The county has 75,084 total cases and 2,959 total deaths.
As data indicate that California has yet to contain the first wave of the virus, several Bay Area counties are pressing on with reopening plans that include resuming indoor dining and salon business.
On Tuesday, San Mateo gained approval from the state to reopen indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters, hair salons and barbershops. Contra Costa County will allow salons and barbershops to resume business starting Wednesday, while easing restrictions on groups at funerals and religious gatherings.
But the only Bay Area county to register more than 100 new cases on Tuesday was Alameda, with 108 (zero new deaths). Contra Costa County had 43 new cases and San Mateo had 31 new cases.
Marin (47) saw an uptick in cases while numbers in Santa Clara (24) and San Francisco (19) remained stable. Infections in wine country remained low, as Napa had nine new cases and Sonoma had seven.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom defended the state’s reopening efforts despite growing concerns of a new outbreak. He also emphasized that reopening plans are largely left to individual counties.
As counties continue to reopen, businesses resume and people become more willing to venture outside their homes, local public health experts have encouraged the use of face coverings and frequent hand washing.