California becomes first state to top 3 million virus cases

California has become the first state to record more than 3 million known coronavirus infections.

Thats according to a tally Monday by Johns Hopkins University. The grim milestone wasnt entirely unexpected in a state with 40 million residents but its speed was stunning.

California only reached 2 million reported cases on Dec. 24. The count is also far ahead of other large states, such as Texas. California also has seen more than 33,600 deaths due to COVID-19.

A caseload surge that began last fall has strained hospitals. Although theres been a slight downward trend, officials warn that could reverse when the full impact from holiday gathering transmissions is felt.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)