Date: June 21, 2020
Number: NR20-132
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO ā The California Department of Public Health today announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California's positivity rate ā aa key indicator of
community spread ā remains stable in the
14-day average. Hospitalization rates remain stable over the long-term while
showing a slight uptick in the 14-day average. California
has 173,824
confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true
day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed. There have been 3,319,256 tests conducted in California. As testing
capacity continues to increase across the state, an increase in the number of
positive cases has been expected ā increasing the importance of positivity rates to find signs
of community spread. There have been 5,495 COVID-19
deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Testing in California
As testing capacity continues to increase across the state, the California Department of Public Health is working to expand access to COVID-19 testing. Testing should be used for medical evaluation of persons with symptoms of COVID-19 as well as for efforts by public health agencies and essential employers to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. Individuals prioritized for testing include:
- Hospitalized patients
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers, first responders, and other social service employees
- Symptomatic individuals age 65 and older or symptomatic individuals of any age with chronic medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- Individuals who are tested as part of disease control efforts in high-risk settings
- Asymptomatic residents and employees of congregate living facilities when needed to prevent disease transmission
- Symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in essential occupations such as grocery store and food supply workers, utility workers and public employees
- Other individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19
As of June 20, there have been 3,319,25 tests conducted in California and reported to the California Department of Public Health. This represents an increase of 84,844 tests over the prior 24-hour reporting period. These numbers include data from commercial, private and academic labs, including Quest, LabCorp, Kaiser, University of California and Stanford, and the 25 state and county health labs currently testing. The Department is now reporting all tests reported in California, rather than the total number of individuals tested.
Data Portal
The state has launched a user-friendly data portal at COVID-19 Statewide Update that tracks COVID-19 cases statewide and by county, gender, age and ethnicity. The portal also outlines statewide hospitalizations and testing efforts. The data presented on the portal is updated daily and will include additional information as it is available.
Racial Demographics ā A More Complete Picture
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.
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. Overall, for adults 18
and older, Latinos, African Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific
Islanders are dying at disproportionately higher levels. The proportion of
COVID-19 deaths in African Americans is more than one-and-a-half times their
population representation across all adult age categories. For Native Hawaiians
and Pacific Islanders, overall numbers are low, but almost double between the
proportion of COVID-19 deaths and their population representation. 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.
Health Care Worker Infection Rates
As of June 20, local
health departments have reported 13,373 confirmed positive cases in health care
workers and 83 deaths statewide.
Your Actions Save Lives
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.
- Following guidance from public health officials.
What to Do if You Think You're Sick
Call ahead: If you
are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (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.
For more information
about what Californians can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California.
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.