Some California regions begin to see more COVID-19 cases, new wildfires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 9/28/2020 1 p.m. Gov. Gavin Newsom provided an update on wildfires and COVID-19 cases around the state, and in addition to new wildfires over the weekend, Newom said some parts are seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

He specifically pointed out the Bay Area, lower Southern California and upper Southern California as areas where cases are trending upwards. Santa Cruz appeared to be listed as one of the Bay Area counties trending upwards.

Newsom said there has been a threefold decrease in cases since California's peak, but says officials are starting to see early signs that the decreases have slowed.

During the update, Newsom also spoke about the approaching flu season and preparing for it amid a pandemic. While speaking, he got a flu shot.

When Newsom spoke about wildfires, he highlighted two new ones that started over the weekend- the Glass and Zogg fires. The Glass Fire in Napa County is about 11,000 acres with no containment. The Zogg Fire in Shasta County is about 7,000 acres with no containment, but Newsom said it could potentially merge with the August Complex, the largest wildfire in recorded state history. It is about 878,000 acres and 45% contained.

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There are currently 27 major fires burning around the state, according to Cal Fire. Two new fires- the Glass Fire in Napa County and the Zogg Fire in Shasta County- started Sunday and have each led to evacuations. There have been more than 8,100 wildfires around the state since the beginning of the year.

According to the California Department of Public Health, there were more than 802,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Sept. 26. 15,587 people have died.