Santa Clara Co. hospitals could be full in 3 weeks if current COVID-19 trend continues, Dr. Sara Cody warns
"We all need to act now to bend the curve once again," Dr. Sara Cody said.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County's top health official has a dire warning for residents as Thanksgiving approaches -- if COVID-19 cases continue to rise at the current rate, hospitals will likely be at capacity in less than three weeks.
This warning comes less than one week before Thanksgiving and as Santa Clara County sees a record number of cases in a single day.
"The choices that each of us make in the next two weeks may mean the difference between enough hospital capacity to care for all of us and our families and friends and not enough," Dr. Sara Cody said Friday during a virtual press conference.
RELATED: COVID-19 in California: Here's how coronavirus cases are trending in every county
Santa Clara County reported 407 total cases Friday, marking the most in the county to date. This comes as the state also shatters a single-day record with more 13,000 new cases of coronavirus.
"We are indeed at a critical juncture in this pandemic," Dr. Cody said.
VIDEO: Dr. Cody's warning as cases increase
The health officer says hospitalizations increased by 50 percent in the last week -- and if the trend continues, hospital beds would be full in just three weeks.
RELATED: Gov. Newsom orders curfew for most California counties
She said this "sharp increase" in cases began in early November.
"What we do today is critically, critically important," Dr. Cody said.
She is urging residents to stay home for Thanksgiving and celebrate with your household.
"We all need to act now to bend the curve once again," she said.
VIDEO: South Bay leaders share concerns of COVID-19 spike
"I am concerned for the well being of our community," said Citlalmina Ortiz, a community organizer. She's been advocating for her Latino community since the pandemic began.
It's a demographic that's been hit hard by the virus in Santa Clara County. And now she's even more worried over Dr. Sarah Cody new warning.
RELATED: COVID-19 vaccine: Leaders in hard-hit East San Jose seek priority for their community
Newly elected state assembly member from the South Bay Alex Lee, tweeted a plea, soon after Dr. Cody's announcement.
"My mom is a county nurse. For her health and everyone else's I'm begging you to stay home," the tweet said.
"It becomes incredibly scary to hear that we might run out of capacity where my mom works directly and if that becomes the case I do get increasingly worried," said Lee.
Editor's note: In the video above, Dr. Sara Cody initially said hospitals would be at capacity in two weeks. She later corrected that to three weeks
App users: For a better experience, click here to view the full map in a new window
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
- COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
- Want to get a COVID-19 test in time for the holidays? Here's what you need to know
- Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
- Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic
- California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
- Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
- How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
- Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
- First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
