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CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov

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State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts

Date: August 18, 2021
Number: NR21-255
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov


SACRAMENTO ā€“ Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19 and updates on the state's pandemic response.

Statewide COVID-19 Data as of Today 

  • California has 4,057,724 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed.

  • There were 14,317 newly reported confirmed cases Tuesday.

  • Cases are increasing statewide, largely among unvaccinated populations.

    • For the week of August 9 ā€“ August 15, the average case rate among unvaccinated Californians is 51 per 100,000 per day and the average case rate among vaccinated Californians is significantly lower at 7.6 per 100,000 per day.

    • The vast majority of new cases are among the unvaccinated with 500% higher case rates among the unvaccinated than for those who are vaccinated.

  • The 7-day positivity rate is 6.1%.

  • There have been 77,892,857 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 254,504 during the prior 24-hour reporting period.

  • There have been 64,291 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

  • As of August 18, according the CDC, 78.6% of eligible Californians have received at least one dose. Providers have reported to CDPH that a total of 45,563,957 vaccine doses have been administered statewide. Numbers do not represent true day-to-day change as reporting may be delayed. For more vaccination data, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard.

Daily Numbers August 18

ADDITIONAL DATA & UPDATES

Tracking COVID-19 in California

Stop the Spread: Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

The risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection continues as a number of Californians remain unvaccinated. With the emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant, there is a renewed urgency to get all eligible Californians vaccinated as quickly as possible and complete their two-dose vaccination process if they are receiving Pfizer or Moderna.

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, free and provides excellent protection from severe COVID-19 illness, including the Delta variant, hospitalization, and death.

Vaccination appointments for individuals aged 12+ can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov. The consent of a parent or legal guardian may be needed for those between the ages of 12 and 17 to receive a vaccination. Visit Vaccinate All 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available.

Health Care Workers

As of August 17, local health departments have reported 119,276 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 485 deaths statewide.

Testing Turnaround Time

The testing turnaround time dashboard reports how long California patients are waiting for COVID-19 test results. During the week of August 1 to August 7, the average time patients waited for test results was one day. During this same time period, 79% of patients received test results in one day and 94% received them within two days.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

As of August 16 there have been 594 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) reported statewide. 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.

Keep California Healthy 

Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

  • Get vaccinated, it's your turn now! Californians age 12+ are eligible to make appointments or go to a walk-in site for vaccination.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches), call your health care provider.
  • If you believe you have been exposed, get tested. Free, confidential testing is available statewide.
  • Wear a mask when required. Read the latest face covering guidance.
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Delay travel (both domestic and international) until you are fully vaccinated. Read the CDCā€™s full travel guidance. 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home from work and school if you feel ill.
  • Add your phone to the fight by signing up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify.
  • Answer the call or text if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect.ā€‹ā€‹
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