California coronavirus cases are doubling much faster than expected, surge likely on the way

A message posted on boarded-up Love on Haight shop in San Francisco on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. A message posted on boarded-up Love on Haight shop in San Francisco on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Photo: Blair Heagerty / SFGate Photo: Blair Heagerty / SFGate Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close California coronavirus cases are doubling much faster than expected, surge likely on the way 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

Confirmed coronavirus cases are increasing faster than initially expected, California officials said, indicating the much-anticipated surge may be on the way.

"We originally thought that it would be doubling every six to seven days. We see cases doubling every three to four days," California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said at a news conference Wednesday. Ghaly said at that rate, he expects hospitals will see a surge in one to two weeks.

As of Thursday morning, California has over 3,000 confirmed cases, far behind the U.S. coronavirus epicenter of New York. New York City alone has over 21,000 cases and the state is reporting nearly 400 deaths as hospitals reportedly face "apocalyptic" conditions. Ghaly said, at this rate, California now is on pace to match New York's numbers.

Preparing for the worst-case scenario is on the minds of California politicians, who are warning residents to stay vigilant.

"The worst days are still ahead," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday.

In a press conference yesterday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Dr. Grant Colfax, the city's public health director, said San Francisco hospitals need 1,500 more ventilators and 5,000 additional hospital beds to prepare for a potential influx of serious coronavirus cases in the city.

Breed said she reached out to Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration about securing additional resources.

"I hope they will deliver for the people of this state and the people of this country," she said. "Time cannot be wasted on interactions that don't lead to the kinds of results we need."

Colfax spoke to the measures San Francisco has already taken, noting that the city has hired 80 new nurses, begun preparing non-hospital locations for patients, continued to obtain additional personal protective equipment supplies, and decreased the number of in-hospital visits for non-critical cases.

The city is preparing for "a scenario like what is playing out in New York this very day," Colfax said.

Where cases have been confirmed in the greater Bay Area:

ALAMEDA COUNTY: 164 confirmed cases, 4 deaths*

Fore more information on Alameda County cases, visit the public health department website.

*Number excludes infected patients in City of Berkeley, which has its own health department and 14 cases.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: 108 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Contra Costa County cases, visit the public health department website.

LAKE COUNTY: 0 confirmed cases

For information on Lake County and coronavirus, visit the public health department website.

MARIN COUNTY: 60 confirmed cases

Fore more information on Marin County cases, visit the public health department website.

MONTEREY COUNTY: 24 confirmed cases

For more information on Monterey County cases, visit the public health department website.

NAPA COUNTY: 3 cases

For more information on Napa County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN BENITO COUNTY: 9 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on San Benito County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY: 223 confirmed cases, 2 deaths

For more information on San Francisco County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN MATEO COUNTY: 195 confirmed cases, 5 deaths

For more information on San Mateo County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY: 459 confirmed cases, 17 deaths

Fore more information on Santa Clara County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: 32 confirmed cases

For more information on Santa Cruz County cases, visit the public health department website.

SOLANO COUNTY: 31 confirmed cases

For more information on Solano County cases, visit the public health department website.

SONOMA COUNTY: 34 confirmed cases, 1 death

For more information on Sonoma County cases, visit the public health department website.

In California, 67 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University.

SFGATE digital editor Alyssa Pereira contributed to this report.

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Katie Dowd is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: katie.dowd@sfgate.com.