California deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus edged past those of New York early Thursday, making it the highest state toll in the nation, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
By 1 p.m. EST, COVID-19 deaths across California totaled 45,506, compared with 45,378 for New York, the figures confirmed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, however, the raw data does not paint a complete picture because the state’s population of roughly 40 million translates to 114 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents, or the 18th-lowest rate in the nation.
By comparison, Texas’ reported COVID-19 death rate per 100,000 residents is 142, while Florida’s is 135, according to data compiled by the Times.
“To further put California’s number in perspective, the state is closer to Wyoming, which has seen 107 deaths per 100,000 residents, than it is to New York, at 229, or New Jersey, which has the highest rate in the nation at 248,” the Times reported.
Likewise, California’s most recent daily count of 8,390 confirmed positive cases represents only a fraction of the 53,000 daily positive cases confirmed in December, The Associated Press reported.
“We do see light at the end of the tunnel,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a Tuesday news briefing. “We are seeing real progress.”
Click here to see CNN’s complete state-by-state tracker.
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