Why There’s So Much Investigative Journalism About Utility Companies

SACRAMENTO –– The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that as of Oct 12, the following represents the latest facts regarding COVID-19.

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• California has 850,028 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed.

• There were 3,449 newly recorded confirmed cases Sunday. Numbers do not represent true day-over-day change as these results include cases from prior to Oct. 12.

• The 7-day positivity rate is 2.6 percent and the 14-day positivity rate is 2.6 percent.

• There have been 16,191,341 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 144,337 over the prior 24-hour reporting period.

• As case numbers continue to rise in California, the total number of individuals who will have serious outcomes will also increase. There have been 16,572 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

 

Testing Turnaround Time

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The testing turnaround dashboard reports how long California patients are waiting for COVID-19 test results. California has worked to reduce testing turnaround times in recent weeks to help curb the spread of the virus. During the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, the average time patients waited for test results was 1.2 days. During this same time period, 69 percent of patients received test results in 1 day and 92 percent received them within two days. The testing turnaround time dashboard is updated weekly.

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As of September 22, 2020, California's testing capacity and turnaround time have improved. As a result and until further notice, all four tiers in the Testing Prioritization Guidance originally dated July 14, 2020 will have equal priority for testing. 
 

Blueprint for a Safer Economy

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Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a statewide plan for reducing COVID-19 and keeping Californians healthy and safe. The plan imposes risk-based criteria on tightening and loosening COVID-19 allowable activities and expands the length of time between changes to assess how any movement affects the trajectory of the disease.

 

Californians can go to covid19.ca.gov to find out where their county falls and what activities are allowable in each county.

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Data and Tools

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A wide range of data and analysis guides California’s response to COVID-19. The state is making the data and its analytical tools available to researchers, scientists and the public at covid19.ca.gov.

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Popular links include:

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• The Statewide COVID-19 Dashboard

• The California COVID-19 Assessment Tool (CalCAT)

• State Cases and Deaths Associated with COVID-19 by Age Group

• COVID-19 Race & Ethnicity Data

• COVID-19 Hospital Data and Case Statistics

• View additional datasets at the California Open Data Portal (Including: Testing Data, PPE Logistics Data, Hospital Data, Homeless Impact and more)

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

 

Each week, the California Department of Public Health updates the number of cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) reported in the state. As of October 5, 104 cases of MIS-C have been reported statewide. To protect patient confidentiality in counties with fewer than 11 cases, we are not providing total counts at this time.

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MIS-C is a rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 that can damage multiple organ systems. MIS-C can require hospitalization and be life threatening. Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of MIS-C including fever that does not go away, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes or feeling tired. Contact your child's doctor immediately if your child has these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients is critical to preventing long-term complications.

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Racial Demographics – A More Complete Picture

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The California Department of Public Health is committed to health equity and collecting more detailed racial and ethnic data that will provide additional understanding for determining future action. Health outcomes are affected by forces including structural racism, poverty and the disproportionate prevalence of underlying conditions such as asthma and heart disease among Latinos and African American Californians. Only by looking at the full picture can we understand how to ensure the best outcomes for all Californians.

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The differences in health outcomes related to COVID-19 are most stark in COVID-19 deaths. We have nearly complete data on race and ethnicity for COVID-19 deaths, and we are seeing the following trends: Latinos, African Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are dying at disproportionately higher levels. More males are dying from COVID-19 than females, in line with national trends. More information is available at COVID-19 Race and Ethnicity Data.

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Health Care Worker Infection Rates

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As of Oct. 11, local health departments have reported 41,402 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 192 deaths statewide.

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Your Actions Save Lives

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Every person has a role to play. Protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:  

 

• Staying home except for essential needs/activities following local and state public health guidelines when patronizing approved businesses. To the extent that such sectors are re-opened, Californians may leave their homes to work at, patronize, or otherwise engage with those businesses, establishments or activities.

• Practicing social distancing.

• Wearing a cloth face mask when out in public.

• Washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Covering a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

• Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

• Answer the call if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect. Contact tracers will connect you to free, confidential testing and other resources, if needed.

• Following guidance from public health officials.

 

What to Do if You Think You're Sick

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Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (for example: fever, cough or shortness of breath), call your health care provider before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken. More than 100 community testing sites also offer free, confidential testing: Find a COVID-19 Testing Site.

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For more information about what Californians can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California.

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California continues to issue guidance on preparing and protecting California from COVID-19. Consolidated guidance is available on the California Department of Public Health's Guidance web page.