MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County added 3,304 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Friday, the highest number of coronavirus cases reported in a single day so far.
The massive increase, however, is being attributed to a backlog of cases.
“Today’s Covid-19 data refresh shows the highest single day number of reported cases during the pandemic,” said Maia Carroll, the county’s communications coordinator.
According to Carroll, about half of the new cases reported Friday come from a backlog of state prison inmate cases that occurred over the past several weeks.
“Monterey County Health Department bulk processed the inmate population cases yesterday with assistance from the California Department of Public Health,” Carroll said.
The other half reflects a “change in internal workflow processes and an extensive data cleaning process conducted yesterday, again with assistance from the California Department of Public Health,” Carroll said.
The community-based cases reported Friday are distributed over several days on the published data charts and tables, she added.
Friday’s increase brings the countywide total of confirmed cases to 22,255 since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, there are currently 151 hospitalizations and 170 deaths — including three more reported Friday — in the county.
“The Monterey County Health Department encourages everyone to take measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Monterey County,” Carroll said. “Please avoid gatherings with individuals outside of your household, wear a face covering when outside the home and maintain at least 6 feet from others when in public.”
