During a press briefing Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom projected a grim holiday season for California and especially the San Joaquin Valley.
By Christmas, 83% of the valley’s hospital beds will be occupied due to COVID-19 cases, up from 63% currently. While the highest percentage in California, the rate is narrowly above the Sacramento area and the state overall, which will be 78%.
Interested in more coverage and insights? Receive a free month of Agri-Pulse West.
Even more troubling, the valley will reach 120% capacity for ICU beds by mid-December, while the state hits 112%.
To stem the tide, Newsom said he is considering measures "more in line with the stay-at-home order issued in March" for the 51 counties currently in the most critical tier.
As a silver lining, Newsom said the state now has a PPE stockpile larger than that of the U.S. government.
