A month after COVID-19 infections began to surge following the Thanksgiving holiday, the virus continues to devastate the San Joaquin Valley. Hospitals are reporting more patients with COVID-19 than ever, intensive care units continue to report only a handful of open beds each day, and hundreds of healthcare workers who could otherwise be caring for patients or staffing medical facilities are currently unable to work after either testing positive for the virus or entering quarantine following a close exposure.
The arrival of the vaccine has so far brought only limited relief: Of the 2 million doses that have arrived in California, logistical challenges and vaccine reluctance have meant thatmore than 70 percent still remain unused. In the Valley, nearly 21,000 doses have been administered out of more than 44,000 that arrived. This week’s COVID-19 update explores the vaccine rollout in the wake of an overwhelmed medical system, featuring excerpts from a media call with Fresno County’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra and Community Health Division Manager Joe Prado.
Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot for Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare Counties (note that some numbers may have changed between the interview and publication):
As of Jan. 7:
- 2,191 total deaths out of 233,566 total cases
- 1,542 people hospitalized and 277 in ICUs
- 136 deaths in the last week
- 2,778 average cases reported daily in last week
As of 1 week previous, Dec. 31:
- 2,055 total deaths out of 214,113 total cases
- 1,456 people hospitalized and 289 in ICUs
- 89 deaths in the last week
- 2,603 average cases reported daily in last week
As of 4 weeks previous, Dec. 10:
- 1,742 total deaths out of 151,093 total cases
- 1,055 people hospitalized and 174 in ICUs
- 99 deaths in the last week
- 2,055 average cases reported daily in last week
You can always find up-to-date information for your county here.
