FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2020
The Number of COVID-19 Cases has Reached a Critical Point in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County, CA – With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing and hospital ICUs reaching capacity, health officials and community leaders are imploring the public to strictly adhere to state and County rules on gatherings and social distancing ahead of the Lady of Guadalupe Day of celebration.
Case numbers in recent days have steadily broken records, with 1,700 recorded recently in a single day and hospitalization numbers reaching a new high of more than 400. The increase in COVID-19 cases is connected to community contact, including gathering with family members and friends who do not live in the same house as well as any activities involving crowds.
As the number of cases increases, the available capacity in hospitals decreases. Three hospitals -- Regional Medical Center, O'Connor, and St. Louise -- have already reached their capacity and do not have beds available in intensive care units. About 10% to 12% of COVID-19 cases require hospitalizations and of those, 25% to 35% usually require intensive care treatments. The Latinx community continues to be the most impacted population, representing 55.4% of all cases when they are only 25.8% of the population in Santa Clara County.
COVID-19 is a killer -- to date, 519 residents in Santa Clara County have died from the virus.
Santa Clara County leaders urge residents: Stay home, save lives. This includes cultural celebrations such as the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration. Celebration activities should be restricted to within the household or held virtually.
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