- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
COVID-19 testing numbers show big increase statewide; state’s confirmed cases top 3,100
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With more testing facilities coming online, the California Department of Public Health said Wednesday that the number of tests conducted statewide has more than doubled.
CDPH’s Wednesday report said that 66,800 tests have been conducted, numbers that reflect reports the state received from commercial and private labs and the 22 state and county health labs that are currently testing. At least 18,276 results have been received and another 48,600 are pending.
The state said the increase in testing numbers largely came from commercial, provider and academic labs that have increased testing capacity and are now reporting that data to the state. The biggest labs included in this count include Quest, LabCorp, Kaiser, University of California and Stanford.
Those numbers were what had been reported to the state as of Tuesday. Monday’s numbers indicated 27,650 tests had been completed.
With more tests done, the numbers of confirmed cases also have risen.
By Wednesday night, based on Lake County News’ survey of county health departments statewide, there were 3,164 confirmed cases and 67 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in California.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace confirmed to Lake County News on Wednesday that no positive cases have been reported in Lake County so far.
In a Wednesday video, which can be seen above, Pace said about 35 tests have come back negative, with another 15 to 20 that are still pending.
For context, several of Lake’s neighboring counties have reported varying testing rates. Glenn has conducted four; Mendocino, 156; and Sonoma, 775.
Based on CDPH numbers, the majority of cases are in the age group of 18 to 49, followed by the 50 to 64 group and the over 65 group. More males than females are reported to have the virus.
Around the region, on Wednesday Humboldt County reported that its number of cases doubled, bringing the total to 10.
In Napa County, on Wednesday night officials there reported they had confirmed that county’s sixth case, a resident of the city of American Canyon who is hospitalized in another county.
Pace emphasized social distancing and said in his video that he’s seeing improvements in Lake County, with fewer people out and businesses closed.
“We really want to encourage people to keep doing this because it looks like it does really make a difference,” he said.
Pace said the community needs to be prepared for the situation to continue for a while. He urged people to stay at home, practice social distancing and wash their hands.
Anyone who is sick should isolate themselves from family members, especially those who are older or vulnerable with underlying health issues, Pace said.
In other developments reported on Wednesday, the state said Seton Medical Center in Daly City was to begin accepting up to 220 COVID-19 patients.
California is leasing the medical center for three months to expand the capacity of the health care delivery system to respond to ongoing and anticipated increases in COVID-19 cases that require medical care. Verity will operate Seton Medical Center on the state’s behalf.
“Today Seton Medical Center in Daly City started accepting COVID-19 patients on behalf of the state. California will continue to do our part to expand our capacity to respond to a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. It is also important that each and every Californian do their part by staying home and practicing social distancing. We can get through this together if we all do our part,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California also has a three-month lease agreement with St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles. Officials said the state is readying the facility to begin providing care for up to 366 COVID-19 patients as soon as possible.
The state, in partnership with local officials, also reopened Community Hospital in Long Beach on Saturday and began accepting patients transferred from other hospitals in the area. The hospital has the capacity of 158 beds.
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