The county reported 145 new deaths on Wednesday, a total one day higher since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The county also reported 16,525 new coronavirus cases, the highest figure apart from a day earlier this month, which included an accumulation of older cases.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the county Department of Health Services, warned that hospitals have extreme difficulty coping with the increase in patients, affecting their ability to treat them, as well as dealing with emergencies and non-coronavirus surgeries.
He said cases will continue to rise after the holidays. Between November 1 and January 31, the department projects about 8,700 deaths from COVID-19.
“We have never seen such high daily mortality rates over the course of the pandemic and the model predicts that the worst is yet to come,” Ghaly said.
“How intense are these cases and the intensity of our hospitals and health workers? And how many people will die because of COVID, because COVID has taken all the air out of their lungs and the machines can no longer push it?” it all depends on us, ”Ghaly said.
With the approach of Christmas and New Year, the county health director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, warned people to avoid meeting in groups and traveling outside the area.
But he acknowledged that many are likely to ignore these warnings. For those who travel outside the county and mix with other people, he urged them to quarantine for 10 days when they returned to prevent the virus from spreading to other people.
The county has at least 6,155 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, although the state estimates the figure at 6,499.
“This coronavirus has altered our lives, our daily routines,” Ferrer said. “Enormous sacrifices are required for people to face devastating financial losses.”
Other details of Wednesday’s briefing:
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