California Orders 5000 Body Bags as COVID-19 Deaths Spike

California has ordered 5000 body bags and 60 53-foot-long refrigerated trucks due to the massive spike in coronavirus deaths. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that "There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we're still in the tunnel," and “we're going through perhaps the most intense and urgent moment since the beginning of this pandemic."

COVID-19 Vaccine Shines Hope at The Golden State 

According to Gov. Newsom, the COVID-19 vaccines are a reason for optimism as the state is expected to receive 2.1 million immunization doses by the end of this month. Meanwhile, Newsom encouraged Californians to wear masks, keep social distancing, and follow all COVID-19 restrictions to slow the virus surge.

Although many regions in California are currently under stay-at-home orders, the state reports nearly 32,300 new coronavirus cases daily. Positivity rates for the virus have also increased from 6.9% to 10% since the beginning of December. According to California’s public health department, the hospitalized patients during the same period reached 14,200, and the death cases exceeded 21,000.