Pandemic records exploded this week, as California—the most infectious state in America—experienced unseen spikes in the number of coronavirus cases, deaths and hospitalizations, leaving health care workers overwhelmed and the quality of patient care at risk. 

The state reported 51,724 infections on Wednesday, breaking the state’s previous single-day record on Monday of 42,088 cases, according to a Los Angeles Times tally. California also confirmed 393 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, which shattered the previous daily death count of 295, a record that was set on Tuesday.

The figures bring the state’s totals to 1.7 million coronavirus cases and 21,887 Covid-19-related deaths, as reported by the tally.

On average, the country’s largest state is reporting about 203 coronavirus deaths and 35,200 cases per day over a weekly period, making California “among the world leaders in new coronavirus cases, ahead of India, Germany and Britain,” if the state were considered a country, according to The Washington Post. 

The number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations also hit unnerving figures, as it recorded 14,939 as of Tuesday, a number that’s increased for eighteen straight days. Roughly 21 percent of hospitalized Covid-19 patients were in intensive care units. 

“I want to be very clear: Our hospitals are under siege, and our model shows no end in sight,” Christina Ghaly, director of Los Angeles County’s Department of Health Services, said at a press briefing.

“The worst,” Ghaly added, “is still before us.” 

State officials reported on Wednesday that licensed intensive care unit beds ran out in the San Joaquin Valley and dropped to 0.5 percent availability in Southern California, making public health experts warn of a diminished quality of patient care, as medical resources, doctors and nurses are being stretched so thin due to the virus’s uncontrollable spread.

“As [health care workers] get stretched thin, the quality of patient care will decline. This will lead to poorer outcomes,” Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of California-Berkeley, said, adding that the surges in hospitalizations will indicate “more stress for the workers and greater risk of contracting Covid-19.”

Several counties, including Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Contra Costa County and Butte County, also broke single-day fatality records on Wednesday.

To curb the rapid spread of the deadly disease, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) implemented a limited stay-at-home order and widespread restrictions that encourage social distancing precautions. The state also received its first doses of the vaccine this week, which were given to health-care workers across the state.

Rachel Bucchino is a reporter at the National Interest. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report and The Hill. 

Image: Reuters