CALIFORNIA- California surpassed New York in the grim statistic for the number of deaths from COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University reported Thursday.
The death toll in California reached 45,496, topping the 45,312 figure in New York.
The development comes as coronavirus trends show improvement in California.
The positivity rate for the most recent seven-day test has dropped to 4.8%, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The most recent daily number of newly confirmed positive cases was 8,390, up from 53,000 in December.
California, however, is grappling with vaccine shortages that are crippling efforts to inoculate substantial numbers in the state of nearly 40 million residents.
The city of Los Angeles is temporarily closing five mass vaccination sites, including Dodger Stadium, due to lack of supply.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday the city will deplete its supply of the first doses of Moderna (two required for full immunization) by Thursday, forcing it to close driverless vehicle vaccination sites on Friday and Saturday. .
The sites may not reopen until the city receives more supplies, which could arrive next Tuesday or Wednesday, although smaller mobile vaccination clinics will continue their work, he said.
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