Vaccinations against COVID-19 begin in California

SAN FRANCISCO — Vaccinations against COVID-19 have begun in California amid a huge surge in infections and hospitalizations. 

Intensive care unit nurse Helen Cordova received a shot of the Pfizer vaccine Monday at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that Cordova was one of the first Californians to be vaccinated.  The first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine left Michigan early Sunday for 145 distribution centers nationwide. 

This follows a troubling weekend for parts of the state. Los Angeles County again broke a record for coronavirus hospitalizations this weekend as San Francisco County reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. 

Statewide, more than 30,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported Sunday. In San Francisco County, health officials reported 323 new cases on Saturday. In Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous, officials said on Sunday that more than 4,000 people were hospitalized for COVID-19. 

As of Monday, Dec. 14, 21,046 people in California have died from coronavirus. The ICU capacity in the state stands at:

• Greater Sacramento Region: 14.8% (down from 15.1%)
• Bay Area: 17.8% (up from 16.7%)
• Northern California: 29.0% (unchanged)
• San Joaquin Valley: 0% - (down from 1.5%)
• Southern California: 2.7% (down from 4.2%)

The record-breaking figures in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties come as COVID-19 vaccines arrive in California. The state expects to to receive 327,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 672,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, if it's approved, could arrive in the coming weeks, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Of the 327,000 doses expected this week, 35,145 doses will go to the region, including Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Placer, Yolo and seven other counties. Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said the county is expected to receive 15,000 doses of the initial Pfizer shipment based on the county's request. San Joaquin County’s Public Health Officer Maggie Park said the county is expected to receive 4,875 doses of the Pfizer shipment.

Millions of residents in the majority of the state are under stay-at-home orders.

READ MORE FROM ABC10: 

• US health workers start getting COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccines: Answering frequently asked questions
• COVID-19 vaccines begin to arrive in San Diego County

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