State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
Date: May 17, 2021
Number: NR21-162
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO ā Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19 and updates on the stateās pandemic response.
Mask Guidance
California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place until June 15 when California aims to fully reopen the economy. As of May 3, 2021, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained. In indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status. After June 15, California plans to implement the CDC's guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings. This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities. We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love.
Statewide COVID-19 Data as of Today
- California has 3,665,904 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed.
- There were 995 newly recorded confirmed cases Sunday.
- The 7-day positivity rate is 0.9%.
- There have been 63,347,945 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 177,223 during the prior 24-hour reporting period.
- There have been 61,510 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
- As of May 17, providers have reported administering a total of 34,536,581 vaccine doses statewide. The CDC reports that 43,145,000 doses have been delivered to entities within the state. Numbers do not represent true day-to-day change as reporting may be delayed. For more vaccination data, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard.
ADDITIONAL DATA & UPDATES
Tracking COVID-19 in California
Vaccine Eligibility
As of May 13, vaccination appointments for individuals aged 12+ can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov. The consent of a parent or legal guardian may be needed for those between the ages of 12 and 17 to receive a vaccination. Visit Vaccinate All 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available.
Blueprint for a Safer Economy
All counties are under the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. As always, local public health departments may implement policies that are more restrictive than the state.
Blueprint Summary (as of May 11)
- 0 counties in the Purple (widespread) Tier
- 11 counties in the Red (substantial) Tier
- 38 counties in Orange (moderate) Tier
- 9 counties in Yellow (minimal) Tier
Blueprint tiers are updated weekly on Tuesdays. Find the status of activities in specific counties.
Health Care Workers
As of May 16, local health departments have reported 110,255 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 457 deaths statewide.
Testing Turnaround Time
The testing turnaround time dashboard reports how long California patients are waiting for COVID-19 test results. During the week of May 2 to May 8, the average time patients waited for test results was just under one day. During this same time period, 84% of patients received test results in one day and 96% received them within two days.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
As of May 10, there have been 508 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) reported statewide. MIS-C is a rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 that can damage multiple organ systems. MIS-C can require hospitalization and be life threatening.
Your Actions Save Lives
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Get vaccinated, it's your turn now! Californians age 12+ are eligible to make appointments or go to a walk-in site for vaccination.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches), call your health care provider.
- If you believe you have been exposed, get tested. Free, confidential testing is available statewide.
- Keep gatherings small and outdoors and follow state and local public health guidance.
- Wear a mask. Regardless of vaccination status, face coverings are required indoors with a few exceptions. Read the latest face covering guidance.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Delay non-essential travel outside of California until you are fully vaccinated. Follow California's travel advisory.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home from work and school if you feel ill.
- Add your phone to the fight by signing up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify.
- Answer the call or text if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect.