Hospitals in San Joaquin County report having 345 COVID positive patients admitted for care. Demand for intensive care services remains high with adult intensive care units (ICU) operating at 155 percent of licensed bed capacity. San Joaquin County hospitals report seven patient deaths due to COVID in the 24-hour period from Monday, Dec. 28 into Tuesday, Dec. 29.

All hospital intensive care units in San Joaquin County are operating near or above licensed capacity with a reported 56 percent of ICU patients being COVID positive.

Even with the ICU beds over capacity, health officials remind residents to not delay seeking care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke, difficulty breathing or altered mental status contact 911 to activate the EMS system. If you are ill or sick, contact your physician or healthcare provider.

We are all in this together. Every person has a role to play. Your actions save lives.

Stay home; Avoid people outside your household; Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; Wear a face mask when out in public; Cover your cough or sneeze; Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces; Maintain physical distance of six feet whenever outside of the house; Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

The region continues under a stay at home order.