Hospitalizations up 50 percent in California amid coronavirus increase

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) confirmed Monday that the number of people hospitalized in the state with COVID-19 has increased by approximately 50 percent over the last two weeks, as confirmed coronavirus cases continue to increase. 

Newsom told reporters that the number of hospitalized people rose to 5,790 on Monday from 3,868 on June 22. 

Nearly a third of those hospitalized were in Los Angeles County, which reported 630 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections requiring intensive care, Reuters noted.

Twenty-five percent of hospitalizations in Los Angeles County in July were patients ages 18-40, according to the news service. Additionally, nearly 1,400 inmates at the San Quentin State Prison have contracted the virus.

Newsom added that state health officials contacted over 441,755 businesses from July 2 through July 5 via in-person visits, email or phone calls in an effort to enforce social distancing and other measures amid the ongoing pandemic. State alcohol regulators also visited nearly 6,000 bars and restaurants to enforce safety measures as California residents celebrated the Independence Day holiday weekend.

California State Assembly Member Autumn Burke (D), meanwhile, tweeted Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19. 

(1/2) On July 3rd I received a call from the Assembly Human Resources Department that I had a “mask to mask” exposure to COVID-19 on June 26th. I was tested on the morning of July 4th and received my results in the evening that I had tested positive for the coronavirus.

— Autumn Burke (@autumnrburke) July 6, 2020

A spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D) told Reuters that the state’s Capitol building was closed for a deep cleaning.

California has documented at least 277,800 cases of coronavirus across the state and 6,452 fatalities.