One day after a record spike in coronavirus cases, California registered 3,799 new cases on Thursday — the same day Gov. Gavin Newsom mandated that all Californians are required to wear face masks in public.
Newsom and public health officials hope the order will encourage citizens to cover up amid the state’s continued reopening efforts and suppress the rising number of cases.
Thursday’s case total is a decrease from Wednesday’s record-setting total of 4,165 new cases. To date, California has reported 167,010 total cases and 5,355 total deaths due to COVID-19.
While new cases have increased, daily deaths and hospitalizations have remained relatively stable since April. On Thursday, the state registered 76 new deaths, as the seven-day average dipped slightly from 64 daily deaths at the beginning of the month to 61.
In Los Angeles County, which has been disproportionately affected by the virus, 1,038 new cases and 36 new deaths were reported.
The recent uptick in Alameda County continued with 105 new cases and one new death reported. Cases in Alameda have crept up since mid-May, and the county leads all 10 Bay Area counties in total cases (4,638).
One new death was reported in Santa Clara County, which leads all Bay Area counties in total deaths (152). While most Bay Area counties already required the use of face masks prior to Thursday’s mandate, Santa Clara recommended the use of masks but they were not required.
Five people died and 40 new cases were reported Thursday in Contra Costa County, which is under the state’s watch after experiencing a rapid uptick in hospitalizations this month. The county eased restrictions on salons, barber shops and churches earlier this week despite rising COVID-19 numbers.
As California moves forward with reopening various business operations, the use of masks has increasingly become a politicized issue. Public health officials on Thursday reiterated that the use of face masks can help stop the spread of the disease.
“Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered – putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease,” Newsom said Thursday. “California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations. That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands and practicing physical distancing.”
