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Several weeks after public health officials around the bay began sounding the alarm bells about the increase in the number of cases, the resulting surge in cases requiring hospitalization is now occurring in force in the hospitals in the region.
San Francisco has seen an increase in hospitalizations this week to levels not seen in mid-September, and the total number of COVID hospitalizations in the nine-county Bay area – both confirmed and suspected cases of COVID – has doubled since the last week of October, from 371. October 25 to 741 Tuesday November 24.
In Santa Clara County, the number of hospitalizations reached 237 on Tuesday the same day the county recorded a new record for new daily cases, with 512. Santa Clara has seen the most cumulative COVID cases of any other counties in the region since the pandemic began, with 31,603 as of yesterday, and the current skyrocket appears to be hitting the county the fastest to date.
Alameda County saw an 18% increase in hospitalizations on Tuesday, with 27 new COVID patients (confirmed and suspected) admitted – and an almost 50% increase in intensive care patients in one day. A total of 176 people are currently hospitalized in the county, including 37 in intensive care beds.
“The ability of our hospitals to care for the most critical patients is a key concern in the face of COVID-19,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara County COVID-19 testing manager, speaking to KRON4. “The more we protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19, the less likely we will be to fill hospital beds. “
San Francisco remains in the state’s “Red” level for reopening, having slipped there from the “Yellow” level on November 16, and officials believe a move to the “Purple” level indicates widespread spread of the virus “is expected later this week.
Hospitalizations in San Francisco stood at 63 on Tuesday, double the number of hospitalizations a month ago. But it’s still below the triple digits seen in July and August – although those days seem to be coming back soon, with new daily cases now steadily in triple digits and 189 new cases added this morning.
SF Director of Public Health Dr Grant Colfax gave a press briefing on Tuesday in which he stressed the continued need for masks and social distancing, and discouraged San Franciscans from traveling or gathering in groups for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Now is not the time to throw caution to the wind,” he said.
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