California surpassed 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 infection, in a curve that continues to increase, with Latinos leading the way and numerous intensive care units (ICUs) at the top of their capacity, according to data provided this Thursday by health authorities.
The Latino population of the state – which represents 38.9% of the total population – constitutes 55.1% of infections and 47% of deaths due to the coronavirus.
The health authorities predict that the figures will continue to increase dramatically in the coming days due to the socialization activities due to the recent celebrations in late 2020.
“More concerned than ever,” Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer warned that “this is a health crisis of epic proportions.”
In his report to the community, Ferrer asked “each one – and I mean ‘each one’ – to use the correct tools at hand to help reduce the transmission of this deadly virus.”
Although the vast majority of California is under orders to stay at home, the fact that large supermarket chains, warehouses and shopping centers are open may be contributing to the spread of contagion.
“I do not understand how while large stores such as Costco or Marshalls are open to the public, small businesses such as hairdressers and beauty salons have to close,” Laura Sierra, a resident of Lakewood, Southern California, questioned in comments to Efe.
The rapid increase in the number of infections has put the state’s hospital capacity to the test. As of January 6, there were only 1,210 beds available in intensive care rooms statewide, 101 fewer than the day before.
In Los Angeles County, the most populous in California with more than 10 million inhabitants, 48.6% of them Latino, these units are at peak utilization, with approximately two-thirds of all beds occupied by patients affected by covid-19
Coronavirus-related deaths have skyrocketed in this county as well, from an average of 12 a day in early November to more than 200 deaths every day today.
In the last week of 2020, the county registered an average of 183 deaths per day from covid-19, the equivalent of one death every eight minutes, according to data provided by Ferrer.
On January 6, deaths related to coronavirus in California totaled 28,045 and the total of registered infections was 2,518,611.
The recommendations of health specialists are repeated tirelessly: stay at home, wear a mask when outside the residence, wash your hands frequently, keep a distance of at least two meters with people who are not home and avoid going out as much as possible. to stores and shopping centers.
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