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California sees near-record deaths as cases climb

Posted at 4:05 PM, Dec 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-23 19:05:48-05

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California had a near-record number of daily coronavirus deaths as pandemic cases strained hospitals and reduced normal intensive care space to a record low.

Yet Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that there are hints residents may be heeding medical officials’ increasingly desperate calls for caution during the holidays.

The transmission rate has been slowing for nearly two weeks. The rate of positive cases reached a new high of 12.3% over a two-week period but was starting to trend down.

Yet the state's worst surge is taking a horrendous toll that threatens to only worsen if people gather during the holidays.