Link COVID cases between California and the LA boom

A summer boom destroys agricultural areas

In early May, cases per person skyrocketed in the rural farming communities of San Joaquin Valley and along the border in Imperial County.

Heavily hit are essential low-income workers, many of whom work in the field and live in crowded homes.

By July, the two Imperial County hospitals were overwhelmed. Hundreds of patients had to be transported elsewhere for treatment. To date, one in every seven residents in the country has tested positive. More than 500 died.

The distribution in the central valley of the state was not limited to the lands. Outbreaks have been reported in state prisons across the state.

Before the end of July, the virus spread to California’s most remote regions. That was when the first cases were reported in Modoc County, near the Oregon border. All 58 provinces in the state have recorded a case of the coronavirus.

As the summer boom faded, Newsom introduced a color-coded system that some provinces could start again in September and October.

Cases triple as the virus overwhelms the state

The postponement was of short duration. In the last weeks of October, there was a slight increase in cases across the country, followed by an unprecedented boom.

Experts believe the exhaustion of pandemic and the feeling that the threat was over played a role. At Thanksgiving, a record number of people traveled for the first time since spring. It soon became clear that an influx of new coronavirus patients would cause a crisis in California’s hospitals.

The virus has increased in cities, prisons and some of the most isolated communities.

On Nov. 13, 292 days after the late-night press release was issued by Orange County officials, the state surpassed 1 million cases of coronavirus.

Government officials announced a curfew rule. Thirty provinces reached record highs in new daily cases before Thanksgiving. A new region-based home order has come into effect. On Christmas Eve, the state filed 2 million cases, doubling in just 41 days.

Only 30 days later, the state surpassed three million total cases. At least one in 13 Californians tested positive.

Vaccines arrive as the surge subsides

At the end of December, hope arose. The first COVID-19 vaccinations were introduced to health workers and nursing home residents. The daily number of cases began to decline in January.

The state’s vaccination campaign was shaky at best, characterized by missed targets, limited supply and problems with data reporting.

Yet vaccination centers have opened across the state, including mass distribution sites at Dodger Stadium and Disneyland. On January 25, the remaining orders at home were canceled.

One year after the crisis began, Southern California – especially Los Angeles – again had the highest concentration of cases. To date, one in nine LA County residents has tested positive.

Experts warn that there is still a possibility for a new boom.

A mutant, more contagious variant of the virus is spreading rapidly in the US, and officials are expressing concern about Super Bowl parties and reckless gatherings at outdoor restaurants.

Times author Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this story. Ryan Menezes and Ryan Murphy provided additional programming.