California Activates ‘Mass Fatality’ Program As State Sets New Virus Records

Enlarge this image

California Gov. Gavin Newsom holds up a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a Los Angeles medical facility. Coronavirus cases continue to soar in the state as hospitals struggle to keep up with the surge.

Jae Hong/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Jae Hong/AP

Shots — Health News
Coronavirus Is Surging: How Severe Is Your State’s Outbreak?

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom struck an optimistic tone after the first tranche of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines began arriving in the state.

The governor said that in addition to the 327,600 doses that arrived this week, Pfizer will distribute another 393, 900 doses next week.

«I’ve said often, there is light at the tunnel, but we’re still in the tunnel, Newsom said, adding that the state is in the midst of the most challenging surge since the beginning of the pandemic.

«We will come out of it stronger than ever. I just want to come out of it healthier than ever. I want you to be there to experience the resurgence, this recovery, California’s comeback, he added.

The situation is particularly grave in southern California and in the state’s central, with less than 2% of ICU beds available, as NPR’s Eric Westervelt reported.

Enlarge this image

Hospital beds are set up in the practice facility at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif. The facility is ready to receive patients as needed, as new coronavirus infections and deaths rise in the state.

California OES /AP

hide caption

toggle caption

California OES /AP