Local hospitals closer to the tipping point to ration health care, health officials warn.
Visalia Times-Delta
Tulare County saw its worst week in COVID-19 deaths and new infections since the pandemic began, pushing local hospitals closer to the tipping point to ration health care, local health officials said Tuesday.
The county saw 53 deaths and 3,623 new COVID-19 infections since Jan. 4, said Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Director Timothy Lutz.
"We are now seeing the additional surge in cases that are from gatherings at New Year's. This surge also likely reflects the general level of quarantine fatigue felt by many people," Lutz said. "Public Health has been receiving numerous reports of businesses that are ignoring all guidance, including operating indoor restaurants and bars and large hosted gatherings."