As of today, California has become the first state in the nation to record more than 3 million COVID-19 cases. The number of cases in the nation’s most populated state has tripled in just the past two months. The country as a whole hit a grim milestone of its own today- more than 400,000 people in the United States have died as a result of the virus.
The California Department of Public Health also announced that a variant of the coronavirus has been found in several California counties, including Monterey County. In a release, Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer, explained that the case of the variant found in Monterey County is concerning because it "represents the first local evidence of infection, recovery and repeat infection."
Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Monterey County Health Department continues to urge residents to stay home except for essential activities, wear a mask when leaving home, limit interactions with people outside of your household, social distance from others, wash hands regularly and get the vaccine as soon as you are eligible and it is available to you.